Bill’s Book List

A selection of books I have read over the years.  These books are listed because they are among my favorites, tell
an amazing story, or had an impact on my thinking.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Politics & World Affairs

Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand
One of the two books with the most impact on my political philosophy.  Rand demonstrates in this novel
society’s dependence on free enterprise.

Restoring the American Dream - Robert Ringer
One of the two books with the most impact on my political philosophy.  A great treatise on America, liberty,
and economics.  Published in 1980 - out of print.
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America Alone - Mark Steyn
Changing demographics could change the face of the Europe and much of the world. Steyn has been summoned
to appear before two Canadian judicial panels on charges linked to his book. This is a must read.

Liberal Fascism - Jonah Goldberg
A must read. A history of the American left from Woodrow Wilson to the present.

1000 Years for Revenge - Peter Lance
Failure of the U.S. Government to protect the nation from Islamic terrorism.

Unholy Alliance - David Horowitz
A look at those who want us to fail in the Middle East, both at home and abroad - the American left.

The Third Terrorist - Jayna Davis
Reporter Jayna Davis documents the real story behind the Oklahoma City bombing.

Smoozing With Terrorists - Aaron Klein
Klein visits and interviews modern Islamic terrorists. Provides insight into the mind set of terrorists.

While Europe Slept - Bruce Bawer
A sobering account of how Islamic immigrants in Europe are changing the face of the continent.

The Forgotten Man - Amity Schlaes
Political history of the Great Depression. Questions the policies of the Roosevelt administration.

Dark Mission - Richard C. Hoagland and Mike Bara
Subtitle - The Secret History of NASA. What are NASA’s real motivations? Why haven’t we returned to the moon
over nearly 40 years? What is NASA covering up? A bit technical, but fascinating.

Captains and Kings - Taylor Caldwell
This fictional story, set in American history, shows the power behind political power.

Night Fall - Nelson DeMille
This novel raises serious questions about the crash of flight TWA 800.

State of Fear - Michael Crichton
This novel questions the mania over global warming.
                                                                                                                                                                    
History

America: The Last Best Hope - 2 volumes - William J. Bennett
Great survey history of the United States. Many obscure and fascinating facts.

Washington: The Indispensable Man - James Thomas Flexner
A wonderful biography and the amazing story of George Washington.

John Adams - David McCullough
Outstanding biography about one of America’s founding fathers. Full of interesting details.

Battle Cry of Freedom - James M. McPherson
Excellent survey history of the Civil War.

Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling - Richard L. Bushman
Possibly the best, most objective biography on the life of the Mormon prophet.

Life of Heber C Kimball - Orson F. Whitney
Biography of a Mormon pioneer, leader, and close friend of Brigham Young.

Ordeal By Hunger - George R. Stewart
Tragic story of the ill fated Donner Party.

Modern Polygamy and Mormon Fundamentalism - Brian C. Hales
History of polygamy in the western U.S. after the LDS church dropped the practice in 1890.
                                                                                                                                                                    
Motivation and Self-Improvement

Seven Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey
Possibly my favorite self-improvement book because of Covey’s practical advise for living and setting priorities.

How to Win Friends & Influence People - Dale Carnegie
The classic volume on dealing with people in positive manner.

The Master Key to Riches - Napoleon Hill
Principles and ideas for success in any endeavor.

The Greatest Miracle in the World/The Choice - Og Mandino
Two of my favorite Og Mandino stories designed to motivate and inspire.

The Richest Man in Babylon - George S. Clason
Fundamental principles for attaining and retaining wealth.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull - Richard Bach
The short story of a seagull that goes beyond his limits to discover his unlimited potential.
                                                                                                                                                                    
Adventure

Fatu-Hiva - Thor Heyerdahl
An amazing story of living on an isolated island in the Marquesas Islands.

Kon-Tiki - Thor Heyerdahl
Heyerdahl sets out to provide that the ancients in South America could have sailed across the Pacific.
                                                                                                                                                                    
Fiction

The Winds of War/War and Remembrance - Herman Wouk
The saga of an American family through the World War II years.

Mila 18 - Leon Uris
Takes place in the Warsaw Jewish ghetto during World War II.  The prequel to Uris’ Exodus.

The Covenant/The Source/Chesapeake/Poland/Centennial/Alaska/Caribbean - James A. Michener
Amazing saga length historical novels.  I couldn’t pick just one.

The Firm - John Grisham
I love almost all of Grisham’s writing, but this is by far his best legal thriller.

Angels and Demons/The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
Symbologist Robert Langdon pursues the mysteries of history. Both novels may keep you up late.

Up Country - Nelson DeMille
A Vietnam vet return to the war torn country after many years and ends up in quite an adventure.

Patriot Games/Without Remorse/Hunt for Red October/Debt of Honor/Executive Orders - Tom Clancy
Political thrillers from the master author.

The Tales of Alvin Maker Series - Orson Scott Card
A fun and thought provoking fantasy series. Takes place in the early 19th Century America.

Prelude to Glory Series - Ron Carter
The incredible story of the founding of the United States through the eyes of the fictional Boston Dunson’s.

The Work and the Glory Series - Gerald N Lund
An inspirational view of early Mormon history through the eyes of the fictional Steed family.

Sahara/Cyclops/Shock Wave/Inca Gold/Atlantis Found - Clive Cussler
A few of the adventure filled books from author Clive Cussler.  Romping good fun.

The Vivero Letter - Desmond Bagley
I tripped across this novel in the library. Led me to read most of Bagley’s fun adventure novels.

The Millionaires - Brad Meltzer
A fun stories of two brothers who attempt to take the money of a man who died without any heirs.

Prey - Michael Crichton
I enjoy almost all of Crichton’s books, but this one is really scary.

Sons of Fortune - Jeffrey Archer
Compelling story about twins separated at birth, their life story, and their collision later in life.

Saucer - Stephen Coonts
A engineering team in the Sahara discovers a flying saucer embedded in sandstone, then the story gets fun.