Continuing our Top 5 theme, this time focusing on those invigorating and educational factual books that will ply you with knowledge and maybe even change your outlook on life.
Zach Falconer-Barfield, 1st Gentleman
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The Book I always reccomend to both Gentleman and Entreprenuers. It is a great foundation for life and business and the principles are as sound now as when they were written 80 years ago.
Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi
Though the Art of War gets deserved attention, it is this book that influenced me most about the Samurai. It is simple and no nonsense in it’s approach but as deep as you think it should be.
A History of the English Speaking Peoples by Winston Churchill
Churchill’s leadership often overshadows his excellent writing. Though these are wieghty tomes, it gave me and will give you a solid grounding on the History of Britian in a great prose style.
The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain
Famous for his Fiction with Huckelberry Finn, this was actually Twain’s most successful book. His witty travelougue of Europe makes great reading for any travel enthusuast today.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
The list of fans of this book is monumental from Presidents to Dissidents. It is full of truths that resonate today as when they were written in Greek almost 2000 years ago.
Tom Swanston, Media Gentleman
The Reason I Jump, by Naoki Higashida
A marvellous look into the world as seen through the eyes of an autistic boy. May seem an odd choice, but we at PG often talk about respecting and being thoughful of others. If you can empathise with an autistic boy, you can empathise with just about anyone.
The Selfish Gene, by Richard Dawkins
There is no better scientific overview for the non-expert. By the end you will understand Darwin’s theory of evolution and much more besides, and every gentleman should have a basic understanding of evolution, as it is the cornerstore of much of science.
The Rational Optimist, by Matt Ridley
A celebration of how humans have used their intelligence to become wealthier, happier, kinder, cleaner and more peaceful, backed up with plenty of scientific facts and figures. A wholly positive outlook on how we can keep improving ourselves and the world in which we live. Very much in keepin with how we at PG view the world.
Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell
Orwell is known for his fictional classics such, but this was his first full length book. He spent several years living on the poverty line in Paris and as a hobo in London. This memoir shows how a privileged gentleman copes with lving with vagrants, and how gentlemanliness can be found in all social circles.
Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson
Bryson, a smart and well-travelled American, tells the story of his first trip around the UK. A marvellously witty look at the idiosyncratic Brits, and humorous reminder at how a gentleman from aboard sees our islands. A great way for us to laugh at ourselves, a trait that all gentelman should have.
