What should be the one mandatory book?

[GeorgW]

Either everything by Douglas Adams, or 1984. That's it.

1984 is my favourite book and Douglas Adams is my favourite writer

Never Cry Wolf

I've found it to be applicable on a daily basis. It's practical, spiritual, culturally relevant and scientifically enlightening.

That's a good one!

None because that would be authoritarian.

And authoritarianism is bad.

It's just a thought experiment...

 

[spartan231490]

I would say Sword of Truth series, by a mile. It has so many life lessons that all people should learn.

 

[ipop@you]

Well I would have to say the entire main sequence Tolkien series from the Silmarillion to the Lord of the Rings. Quite possibly the best books I have ever read, and I have a couple of bookshelves double-layered with books I have read, then more from Libraries and that I've borrowed and ones I simply don't have any more for one reason or another.
Something else I might suggest is the Ender's Game series or some of Neil Gaiman's stuff (American Gods, Neverwhere and Good Omens, which by the way is with Terry Pratchet, are exceptionally good).

 

[Thaliur]

Definitely Discworld.

Especially "Interesting times" would make our college message board much less annoyingly flooded with wannabe "rebels".

 

[Zantos]

I just had this thought today and wondered what you guys would answer. If there was one book or book series that every literate person in the world would be required to read, which do you think it should be and why? Just one rule, no sort of scripture (for example The Bible, The Quran or, yes, even The God Delusion). It's too obvious and this is not a religious discussion.

I'm not asking about your personal favourite or what would be a good introduction to literature, but more about what should everyone know? Is there a children's book with a particularly valuable lesson, is there an old classic that should be read to get insight into what came after it, is there a modern book that's just so insightful that everybody should have to read?

I'm specifically asking about books, but feel free to apply it to games, movies or whatever if you so feel so.

As for my answer, I don't know, that's why I'm asking. I may edit in an answer based on your comments.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, also known as the True Holy Bible

I knew this was going to be up in the top few answers. I must only stress that it must be the 4 part version, not with the additional and not very good fifth part.

 

[Omnific One]

Also:

This is a pretty good one.

Besides the ones that have already been set forth (Art of War, Animal Farm, and 1984, especially) I would put forth The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. Not a little kids book, but good nonetheless.

I would say Sword of Truth series, by a mile. It has so many life lessons that all people should learn.

It is very preachy about good and evil and other lessons. Might as well be the Bible in power fantasy form.

 

[GeorgW]

To Kill a Mockingbird
This is a book that is able to put forth a lot of information and symbolism without being to heavily saturated like Heart of Darkness(my personal all-time favorite) or too wordy like LotR(never read it, never saw it, played the "Hobbit" video game though). It is a great introduction to symbolism as the book drips with symbolism. There are also some surprisingly subtle details that can be of interest, such as Bob Ewell's incestuous relationship with his underage daughter.

I'm seeing this a lot, maybe I should read it.
I liked the heart of darkness but it was way too saturated for my taste, so maybe this will be more to my liking.

So...

The Art of War.
2 novels by George Orwell.
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. (and I assume the other books too)
Sophie's World

Anything else that I need to go buy?

I know, this will cost me several trips to my local library.

why ask us to post any book, then say Oh except these aren't we allowed to post what we want? also i say lets not do that because nothing should be forced on people.

I stated my reasons for not wanting scripture. I'm sorry if you don't agree with them.

 

[Amgeo]

I'd say American Gods.

 

[GeorgW]

I just had this thought today and wondered what you guys would answer. If there was one book or book series that every literate person in the world would be required to read, which do you think it should be and why? Just one rule, no sort of scripture (for example The Bible, The Quran or, yes, even The God Delusion). It's too obvious and this is not a religious discussion.

I'm not asking about your personal favourite or what would be a good introduction to literature, but more about what should everyone know? Is there a children's book with a particularly valuable lesson, is there an old classic that should be read to get insight into what came after it, is there a modern book that's just so insightful that everybody should have to read?

I'm specifically asking about books, but feel free to apply it to games, movies or whatever if you so feel so.

As for my answer, I don't know, that's why I'm asking. I may edit in an answer based on your comments.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, also known as the True Holy Bible

I knew this was going to be up in the top few answers. I must only stress that it must be the 4 part version, not with the additional and not very good fifth part.

There's a sixth part as well...
Does anyone else agree with me that the 3rd, Life, the Universe and Everything, is the best part?

 

[faspxina]

An encyclopaedia. xD

Or maybe some Ancient Epic like Homer's Iliad or Odyssey, since they're the pioneers of literature.

 

[Stalydan]

I just had this thought today and wondered what you guys would answer. If there was one book or book series that every literate person in the world would be required to read, which do you think it should be and why? Just one rule, no sort of scripture (for example The Bible, The Quran or, yes, even The God Delusion). It's too obvious and this is not a religious discussion.

I'm not asking about your personal favourite or what would be a good introduction to literature, but more about what should everyone know? Is there a children's book with a particularly valuable lesson, is there an old classic that should be read to get insight into what came after it, is there a modern book that's just so insightful that everybody should have to read?

I'm specifically asking about books, but feel free to apply it to games, movies or whatever if you so feel so.

As for my answer, I don't know, that's why I'm asking. I may edit in an answer based on your comments.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, also known as the True Holy Bible

This and on a less serious note Twilight to teach kids how NOT to write.

 

[procyonlotor]

Slaughterhouse Five. Wise, funny, irreverent, cautionary, and, of course, superbly written. Particularly suited for Americans, I find, as it jabs everything traditionally held "sacred" in America.

 

[Avaloner]

1984 from Orwell, I think no explanation is needed.

 

[Amphoteric]

Cosmos would be a pretty good choice I feel.

 

[Panda Mania]

Half the Sky . Everyone needs to know that (1) women are still treated unequally, and this is not right, and (2) there are lots of solutions for this problem! Here, read some suggestions!

 

[nifedj]

There are an awful lot of excellent books in this thread!

If the chosen book/series is going to be read at school age, when most people study literature, I think Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy would be a good choice. It has plenty of depth - the philosophical question of how to live your life which is at the series' core, the way the plot is used as an allegory for The Fall but with key ideas being flipped on their heads. In this sense it is like many older classic novels, but it is much easier to read. I think the combination of depth, readability and, of course, brilliant writing makes it an excellent series for educational use.

 

[FunKing]

I just had this thought today and wondered what you guys would answer. If there was one book or book series that every literate person in the world would be required to read, which do you think it should be and why? Just one rule, no sort of scripture (for example The Bible, The Quran or, yes, even The God Delusion). It's too obvious and this is not a religious discussion.

I'm not asking about your personal favourite or what would be a good introduction to literature, but more about what should everyone know? Is there a children's book with a particularly valuable lesson, is there an old classic that should be read to get insight into what came after it, is there a modern book that's just so insightful that everybody should have to read?

I'm specifically asking about books, but feel free to apply it to games, movies or whatever if you so feel so.

As for my answer, I don't know, that's why I'm asking. I may edit in an answer based on your comments.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, also known as the True Holy Bible

lol that was exactly what was thinking when i read the title of the post

 

[Zinaxos]

Fight Club

 

[ExplosiveTiger]

Mein Kampf, a truly inspiring piece of literature. Changed my life.

On a serious note, it may sound cliche but To Kill a Mockingbird.

 

[TCPirate]

To kill a mocking bird. It's a fantastic book and should be mandatory by all means!