Slate has a list of "books famous people loved in college." It's an interesting idea with results that are even more interesting.

While it's tough for me to say, I would probably say that the most important textbook that I read was John Rawls' Theory of Justice not for its clarity (God knows) or the fact that I read it cover-to-cover but because it generated the greatest "a ha!" moment in my college experience. Thanks to the professor's approach to the subject matter I was struck by the implications of Rawls' veil of ignorance while strolling homeward along West Frederick Street after a study group at the five-star House of Pi(zza). Rawls' veil of ignorance was a hypothetical (thought experiment) designed to show in blatant detail that the reader's own notions about equality, justice, and a "good" society were wholly and inseparably linked to the reader's own position in the society. Nothing terribly original, but full of impact nonetheless.

Separated from textbooks, I would probably list Chasing Che. This book is a travel essay of a young American who buys a copy of Che Guevarra's Diarios de Motocicleta and, mounting his own classic motorcycle, retraces the revolutionary's trail across South America. The book discusses the trip, Che's transformation that is reflected in the diarios, and the current state of the regions and populations which Che wrote about decades ago. It is an inspiring story of adventure and freedom of a road trip with the side effect of de-mystifying a controversial character in world history.

What book(s) would make your list?
- posted by C @ 4:47:00 PM