Ask HN: Best Philosophical Books?

it really is quite readable, I think it's overly characterized as very dense and difficult.

I highly recommend "Gödel, Escher, Bach" even to those who have seen other people recommend it yet have been reluctant to try it out.

I wouldn't call Zen overrated, at least insofar as it's a relatively easy read which makes some good points.

The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance while nice cute books are not true philosophy books.

I really enjoyed Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig.

"Atlas Shrugged" - by Ayn Rand.

Marc Aurélius: _Meditations_

- Siddhartha - Herman Hesse

"Siddhartha",

The Bible is a source of philosophical thought for millions of people.

I don't think any philosopher can or should ignore the Bible.

The Tao te Ching

Doistoievski: _The Brothers Karamazov_ (question of God is asked)

His "History of Western Philosophy" is considered a cornerstone history of philosophy book (although it is somewhat dated now).

I would also second Russell's A Brief History of Western Philosophy.

Bertrand Russell: A history of western philosophy.

I'm sure there's something better than Sophie's World for that, I just don't know what it is.

I quite enjoyed Sophie

Sophie's World is by far the best introduction to philosophy that you can read.

Sophie's World and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance while nice cute books are not true philosophy books.

"Sophie's World" if you prefer fiction

Sophie's world.

Sophie's World is a fun novel and a map of the historical development of philosophy.

A People's History of the United States

'The Republic'

Plato - "The Republic"