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A u n iq u e c o m p il a t i o n o f M o v i e s an d B o o k s t o k e e p y ou o n t h e e d g e !
Part1 MOVIES
This is a beginners list of movies that will stir your imagination. We recommend that you watch these carefully,overthenextfewmonthsandtrytounderstandthedirectorsmessage.Theseareinteresting,but difficultmovies.Theywillforceyoutoquestionsomeofyourbeliefs,andwillhelpyourthoughtpatterns takeonnewdimensions.Happyviewing!
1 .
THEUNTOUCHABLES
ThePowerofCharacter KevinKostner,SeanConnery,RobertdeNiro
KevinCostnerbecameastarasthelegendaryGManEliotNessinTHEUNTOUCHABLES,a slambanggangstersagawithbravuradirectionbyBrianDePalma,awittyDavidMametscriptand superbacting,includingRobertDeNiroasAlCaponeandSeanConnerysOscarwinningturnasa wilyveteran cop.Itsa terrifically entertainingand exciting movie. Thestoryisalmost totally fictionalized(NessneverkilledFrankNittiandhadnothingtodowithCaponesincometaxrap),but thisbecomescompletelyirrelevantinlightofthebeautifullycraftedfilmsaccomplishments.De Palma,who hasoftenbeenaccused ofemphasizingstyleover content,herehasa strongand substantialscripttoworkwith,andhisflashydirectionmeshesperfectlywiththefilmsflamboyantly operaticdesign.Thescriptmaynotbetruetohistory,butitstruetohumanemotionandvery moving,personalizingthebattlebetweengoodandevilbyconcentratingontheimpactthatviolence andcorruptionhasonfamilies.Theconceptoffamilyandchildrenasbeingrepresentativeofall thatsgoodandpurebecomesthefilmscentralmotif,asvirtuallyeveryactofviolenceisfollowed byatenderscenebetweenNessandhiswifeandkids.Thus,itmakesperfectsensethatthefilms mostfamoussetpieceinvolvesamotherandherchildthe10minutelongtrainstationsequence withababycarriagebouncingdownthestepsinslowmotionasNessandCaponesgangshootit out.Thefilmsothersetpiecesarealltechnicaltoursdeforce,includingarooftopchasewithNess andNitti,andaCanadianborderambush,whichisshotlikeaSergioLeonewestern,repletewithMountiesonhorsebackandEnnio Morriconesjanglingharmonicamusic.
2 .
THESHAWSHANKREDEMPTION
ThePowerofHope TimRobbins,MorganFreeman,BobGuntan
Thisisanimpressive,engrossingpieceoffilmmakingfromdirector/screenwriterFrankDarabont whoadaptedhorrormasterStephenKings1982novelsRitaHayworthandShawshankRedemption (firstpublishedinDifferentSeasons )forhisfirstfilm.Theinspirational,lifeaffirminganduplifting, oldfashionedstyleHollywoodproductisacombinationofprison/dramaticfilmandcharacterstudy. ThepopularfilmisabettedbythegoldencinematographyofRogerDeakins,atouchingscoreby ThomasNewman,andathirdimposingcharacterMainesoppressiveShawshankStatePrison (actuallythetransformed,condemnedMansfieldOhioCorrectionalInstitution).Postersforthefilm illustrate the liberating, redemptive power of hope and the religious themes of freedom and resurrection,withthewords:Fearcanholdyouprisoner,Hopecansetyoufree.Darabontsfilmis apatientlytold,allegoricaltale(unfoldinglikealongplayed,sometimespainstaking,persistent chessgame)offriendship,patience,hope,survivalandultimateredemptionbythetimeofthefilms finale.ItwasnominatedforsevenAcademyAwards,includingBestPicture,BestActor(Morgan Freeman),BestAdaptedScreenplay,BestCinematography,BestEditing,BestOriginalScore,and BestSoundbutitfailedtowinasingleOscar.Andthefilmsdirectorfailedtoreceiveanomination forhimself!
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3 .
THEMATRIX
(and the MATRIX RELOADED, MATRIX REVOLUTIONS) Freeyourmind
KeanuReeves,LaurenceFishburne,CarrieAnneMoss
WhatisTheMatrix?Itistheyear2199,andtheworldisnowbeingrunbyan artificialintelligence.Ithasconstructedacomputergenerateddreamworld,called theMatrix,inwhichhumanbeingslivetheirdailylives,withoutanyknowledgeof theirfalseexistence.Somerebelhumansdiscoverthishorror,andrecruitthe helpofcomputerhackerNeo(KeanuReeves),hopingthathewillbetheoneto rescuetheworldfromthiscyberslavery.Thelastthirtyminutesofthismovie combinesspecialeffects,withcrazyfightsfeaturingfreakyHongKongaction andunbelievablestrengths,andanonstoppacetoachasethatseemedinevitable fromthe start. The film starts off with abangagong that will set anyones taillightsablaze.TheWachowskibrothers(directorsofthismovie)obviouslyhaveaneyeforstyle,andfullytakeadvantageoftheir respectedtalentduringmuchofthisfilmsprogression.Theslickactionshots,decentsuspense,andawesomecinematography accentuatethisflash,andfeeduswithplentyofexcitementtoletslidethelessinteresting,andmorestandardsceneswithinthe realworldoutsidetheMatrix.Theactingissolid,withFishburnemakingafineshowing,andReevespullingoffadecentperformance asthehackercaughtinandoverhishead.Whoa!Oneguythatdidstandoutwastheheadofthebadguys,AustralianactorHugo Weaving,whofeduswithafinedishofconfidence,terrorandanawfullyannoyingchatterstyle.Butthebiggestsellingpointofthis film,adetailnotgoneunnoticedbyitsownoverzealousmarketingteam,isthevisuallystunningspecialeffectactionsequences whichtrounceyourpreexistingnotionofagreatfightsequence,andpresentallfuturefilmmakerswithanewbenchmarkforfun andexcitement.Kungfu,crazyspecialeffects,agirlinablackrubbersuit,JohnWooesqueslomoactionshots,andKeanuReeves inashavedhead.
4 .
PATTON
Leadershipmakesallthedifference GeorgeCScott,KarlMalden,StephenYoung
WithoutdoubtthegreatactorGeorgeCScottisbestknownforhisroleinPatton.Inthemovie, Pattonwasparthistoricwarrior,partcowboy,andparthero.ThefilmwasaHollywoodstyledocumentary ofGeneralPatton,anAmericanCommanderduringWWII.Themovieisinessenceonememorable scenerightaftertheother.AtthefilmsstartPattonstandsbeforealargebillboardlikeAmericanflag andwelcomesthenewrecruitsthathewillbecommandingontheirmissionsinEurope.ToPattonWar isnotaboutdyingforyourcountry.Itsaboutgettingtheotherbastardtodieforhiscountry.So poeticbuttrue,forafterall,casualtiesdonotwinwarsfortheyonlylosenations.Pattonproclaims thatWearegoingtokilltheseHunbastardsbythebushell.TheeuphemisticwordsfortheGermans such,asHunsandKrautsremindoneoftheclassicVietnamfilmswhereeveryonehadacolorfulname fortheenemy.InthemoviePattonstandstallandproudashisjeeptravelstheencampmentsofhis troops.Infacthestandsupwithinthejeep,withIvorygrippedpistolsstrappedtohiship.Inonescene Pattonvisitsahospitalandnoticesthatthedoctorsarenotwearinghelmets.Heistoldthattheycan notusetheirstethoscopesiftheywearhelmets.Hetellsthemtodrillholesintheirhelmetssotheycan. CowardicewasunnaceptabletoPatton.Hethreatenstoshootasoldierinthehospitalforrefusingtogettothefrontandfight. Ultimatelyhehastoapologizeforthisfeatbeforehismen.Heonlywishedtoshamethemanintoastateofcourageheproclaims. PATTONisathreedimensionalbronzebustofWorldWarIIFieldGeneralGeorgeS.Patton(GeorgeC.Scott)whowrotepoetry,fired pistolsatstrafingfighterplanes,andlovedAmericawithaloftyandhistoricalzeal.Tracinghispersonalrivalrieswithsuchgenerals asRommelandMontgomery,hisproblematictreatmentofhisownmen,andhisnearlyrunawaycontemptfordiplomacy,thefilm triumphsasanenduringportraitofacomplexandlargerthanlifefigure.PATTONwasrecipientof10AcademyAwardNominations andwinnerofeight,includingBestPicture,BestDirector,BestActorScott,Best(Adapted)ScreenplayFrancisFordCoppola/ EdmundH.North.Thescaleofthefilmisveryimpressive,hugetankbattles,aircraft,explosionsandplentyofactionarearunning themethroughoutwhichaddsalottothemovieandthisactiongivesthefilmitsexcitingedgeandstopsthemoviefrombecominga dullcharacterobservationwhichisessentiallywhatthemovieis.
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5 .
NARROWMARGIN
Truthshallprevail! GeneHackman,AnneArcher,JTWalsh
NARROW MARGIN delivers solid entertainment with an oldfashioned feel for cliffhanging adventure.HackmanstarsasLosAnglesDeputyDARobertCaulfield,whowouldlikenothingmore thantoputwhitecollargangsterLeoWatts(HarrisYulin)awayforalong,longtime.ButCaulfieldis convinced that his past efforts have been sabotaged by his boss, Martin Larner (J.A. Preston). Determinedtohavenothinggowrongthistime,Caulfieldhimselftakeschargeofbringinginan eyewitnesstoarecentmurdercommittedbyWatts.Thewitness,CarolHunnicut(AnneArcher),is hidingoutinacabin,deepintheCanadianwilderness,untilthingscooldown.Withthehelpofpolice Sgt.DominickBenti,however,CaulfieldtracksHunnicutdownunfortunately,thebadguysalsofind herandshootthecabintobits,leavingCaulfieldandHunnicutunscathedbutcostingBentihislife. Afterachase,HunnicutandCaulfieldmanagetoboardatrain,followedbyhiredkillerNelson(Sikking). Agameofcatandmouseensuesaboardthetrainthecrackerjackfinaletakesplaceontopofthe trainwiththeprincipalactorstryinghardnottolookterrified.Tohiscredit,writercinematographer directorPeterHyams(RUNNINGSCARED)doesntpretendhesreinventingthewheelherehejust seestoitthatallthepiecesareinplaceandthattherearenttoomanyopportunitiesforthepremise totripoveritsownimplausibilities.Witharelativelylowbodycount,ashortageofgore,andnoteven asingleacrobaticsexscene,NARROWMARGINreliesonoldfashionedmovievirtues.
6 .
2001ASPACEODYSSEY
Speculationsontheoriginofman MarkHamill,BenKingsley,F.MurrayAbraham
A scifi spectacular thattranscends its genre to examine thebasis of human existence. Despitebeingcoldandimpersonal,2001sexplorationofspaceandhumanityisgripping.Special effectsareincrediblefora1968film.Challenging,compellingandworthseeing.Abeautiful, confounding picturethat hadhalf theaudience cheeringand theother halfsnoring. Kubrick clearlyintendstosaysomethingaboutthedehumanizingeffectsoftechnology,butexactlywhat ishardtosay.Oneofthoseworkspresumedtobeprofoundbyvirtueofitsincomprehensibility, 2001isnevertheless,anastoundingvisualexperienceonetobeenjoyed,ifpossible,onlyon thebigscreen.Thefilmopenswith(asatitlemodestlyannounces)TheDawnofMan.Mandawns whenatribeofapelikehominidsisvisitedbyahugeblackmonolith,whichinstructsthemintheuse of tools and weapons. Cut to the year 2001, when a scientist (Sylvester) is investigating a bafflingarchaeologicaldiscoveryonthemoonitis,ofcourse,ahugeblackmonolith,whichlater sendsasignalinthedirectionoftheplanetJupiter.Dissolvetoayearlater,asaspaceshipmakes its way to Jupiter. Dullea and Lockwood run the ship with the help of HAL 9000, the most sophisticatedcomputereverdevised.HALturnsonitshumanmasters,killingLockwood,and Dulleaventuresfurtherintospace,eventuallyconfrontingahugeblackmonolith.Later,after witnessingaspectacularlightshow,heencountersarelativelysmallblackmonolith.Thescreenplay whichisoftenquitewitty,especiallyinthelargelysatiricalSylvestersequencesprobablywas meantsincerely,buthasthefeelofsomethingthatwasneverthoughtthrough.Kubrickseemsto haveunderstoodthat,withtheemergenceofdrugcultureandmiddleclassspiritualyearnings duringthelate60s,anythingreallyhugeandreallyvaguestoodagoodchanceofbeingreceived assomethingreallydeep.
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7.
DEADMANWALKING
Theeternalquestionsofethicsandmorality SeanPenn,SusanSarandon,RobertProsky
DeadManWalkingis(inspiredbyratherthanbasedon)abookbythesametitlewrittenbySister HelenPrejean,aprogressivenuninLouisiana.ThemovieconcernsSisterHelenandherattemptsto stoptheexecutionofMatthewPoncelet,aparticularlyviciouspunkwhoalongwithanaccomplice, killedandrapedateenagegirlalongwithherboyfriend.Mostcriticshaveonlylaudatorythingstosay aboutDeadManWalking.CommontothereviewsisthemarvelthatthewellknownHollywoodLiberal TimRobbinswaswillingtosimplybehonestintellingthisanticapitalpunishmentstory.Itisnosmall accomplishment,themovieisfullofintegritythatway.Thereisnoromanticizingofthekilleror dismissingthecrime,(infrequentflashbackstheviciousactisshownwithoutblinking).Theanguished parentsofthekillersvictimsarenotmonstrousorevenunreasonablewhentheycryoutforvengeance. Eventhesanctimoniousprisonchaplainishuman.And,makingthisfilmreallyuniqueisitsdeparture fromtheconventionsofcurrentfilmmakinginthatpeopleoffaithandtheirbeliefsarerespected throughout.Infacttherearenoeasystereotypeshumansandourambiguoussituationsallaround. Thereinliesthefilmspower.Butwhatisespeciallyworthyofcommentisthepathofredemptionthe movieshowsus.WhenSisterHelen(SusanSarandon)agreestoserveasthecondemneds(SeanPenn) spiritualcounselorduringhislastdays,thechaplainoftheprisontriestodissuadeherfromataskfor whichhejudgeshertoosoft.Heremindsherthatsympathyandhercompassionatenaturehavenoplaceamongthecondemned. Whatisneededtousherhimintoparadiseishavingthesacramentadministeredinhislasthour.SisterHelenseesredemptionmade ofmoresturdystuff:confessionandforgiveness.Astheclockmovesrelentlesslytowardsthemidnighthour,thecondemned, promptedbyherstubbornlove,finallyownsuptowhathehasdone.Hisshellofvictimhoodcracksandwebelieveherwhenshecalls himachildofGod.Mostpowerfulscene:SisterHelensanguishedprayerinthebathroomjustbeforehedies.Desperateforstrength sothatshecanbestrongforhim,shestormsheavenandreceivesstrength.Thefilmclearlyhasitsanticapitalpunishmentbias, Killnswrong,nomatterwhosdonit.Wedoshudderatthecoolprocedurewithwhichthestateprocessesthecondemned. IntegraltotheBiblicalviewofshalomorpeaceisbalance.Wheninjusticeisperpetrated,acorrectivemustbeapplied(mostoften inkind).
8 .
E.T.
Isthereanyoneoutthere? DeeWallaceStone,HenryThomas,PeterCoyote
Heisafraid.Heisalone.Heisthreemillionlightyearsfromhome.InStevenSpielbergsheartwarming classic,twolostsoulsfindeachotheracrossthevastnessofspaceandtime.OneisanEarthlingboywho comesfromasplitandtroubledfamilytheotherisanextraterrestrialbotanistfromthefarreachesof thegalaxy.AfterbeingstrandedonEarthbyhispeople,E.T.befriendsaboynamedElliot.Unfortunately, thesamegovernmentagentswhochasedE.T.sgiantspacecraftbackintotheheavensareawarethat oneofitscrewwasleftbehind.Theybegintotrackdownthealienvisitor.IntheshorttimethatElliotand E.T.spendtogethertheylivetheadventureofalifetime.ElliotteachesE.T.aboutthejoysandsorrows oflivingonEarth.Inreturn,E.T.teachesElliotaboutthetruemeaningoffriendshipandlove.Thetwo friendsbecomeinseparable.Elliott(HenryThomas)findsE.T.,avisitorfromanotherplanetleftstranded onEarth,hidinginhisbackyardand,likeanykidwhofindsastray,decidestokeephim.Hidingthealien fromhismother(DeeWallace),Thomasandtheneighborhoodkidsbefriendthecreature.Onescene clearlyshowshisresemblancetoJesus.WhentheyaretryingtogetE.T.tohisspaceshipthedoorsopen totheirvanandE.T.inarobelikegarmentstandswithhisarmsspreadoutandhisheartglowingred.As iftoshowtotheworldthepeacehebrings(muchlikeKlaatuinTheDaytheEarthStoodStill).Unificationoffamilyisthemostobvious andpersonalsymbolismtothefilm.Thefamilyhasseparatedandleftwithonlythemothertoraisethethreechildren.E.T.showsup andfillsagapinElliotslife,asorelyneededgap,thefatherfigure.ThetworelatesowelltoeachotherbecauseeventhoughE.T. fillsthegapforElliot,heismissinghisownfamilyandiscomfortedbyElliot.Italsoenduresfeelingsofchildhoodinnocence(both ElliotandE.T.)andhurtoverparentalbreakup.Oneofthefilmsbestmomentsexemplifiesthismeaningofahurtfulchildhoodduring divorce. We hear the mother (DeeWallace)reading Gertie abedtime story as the camera cuts between the boys reliving old memoriesoftheirfatherandE.T.watchingthemother/daughterbond,piningforwhathehaslostandsodesperatelywantsback. Noothersceneinthemoviesoclearlyportraysthesorrowofaparentalsplitandtheneedforaclosefamilyrelationship.The creatureeventuallybringsthemcloserthanevertoeachother.ThoughhebecomesattachedtoThomasandhisfriends,E.T.wants togetbacktohisownplanet,andthechildrenmustsavehimfromthegovernmenttypeswhohavebeentryingtocaptureandstudy
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9 .
THESILENCEOFTHELAMBS
Itsallinthemind JodieFoster,AnthonyHopkins,ScottGlenn
Oneofthemosttalkedaboutmoviesof1991,multipleAcademyAwardwinnerTHESILENCEOF THELAMBShastheFBItraineeClariceStarling(JodieFoster)recruitedbytheBureausbehavioral sciencesunittohelptrackdownoneserialkillerbygettinginsidetheheadofanotherwhosalready behindbarsthenotoriousHannibaltheCannibalLecter(AnthonyHopkins),abrilliantbutpsychopathic psychiatrist.Inaseriesofrivetinginterviews,StarlingrevealspersonaldetailsaboutherpasttoLecter, inexchangeforinformationthatmaysnareBuffaloBill,themurdererwhoflayshisfemalevictims. TensionsescalatewhenBillkidnapsthedaughterofaU.S.senatorandLecterplotsanescape.Whilethe suspensefulpursuitofthekillerishandledwellbyDemme,thefilmsprincipleattractionstemsnotfrom thethrillofthehunt,butfromthespellbindingskullsessionsbetweenJodieFostersheroineandAnthony Hopkinssbrilliant,menacingvillain.Hopkinsplaysthecannibalisticdoctorwithaquiet,controllederudition, lacinghisperformancewithmomentsofblackhumor.HisLecterisasortofsatanicSherlockHolmes whosespasmsofviolenceareallthemoreterrifyingbecausetheyeruptfrombeneathsuchanintelligent andrefinedmask.Althoughnotasoverwhelming,Fostersperformanceisequallyimpressive.Herstrong yetvulnerableinterpretationoftherookieFBIagentprojectsaquietlyconvincingfeminism.Although sheremainsthepupilofthebenignpatriarchCrawford,Starlingrisesabovethepettinessofhermalecolleagues. 10. DUMBANDDUMBER Laughyourheartout! JimCarrey,JeffDaniels
11. NOCOUNTRYFOROLDMEN
TommyLeeJones,JavierBardem,andJoshBrolin
NoCountryforOldMenisa2007crimethrillerfilmadaptedforthescreenanddirectedby JoelandEthanCoen,andstarringTommyLeeJones,JavierBardem,andJoshBrolin.Adapted fromtheCormacMcCarthynovelofthesamename,NoCountryforOldMentellsthestoryofa botcheddrugdealandtheensuingcatandmousedrama,asthreemencrisscrosseachother's pathsinthedesertlandscapeof1980WestTexas.Thefilmexaminesthethemesoffateand circumstancetheCoenbrothershavepreviouslyexploredinBloodSimpleandFargo.
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12. THEDEPARTED
LeonardoDiCaprio,MattDamon,JackNicholson
TheDepartedisa2006Americancrimethrillerfilmremakeofthe2002HongKongcrime thrillerInfernalAffairs.
13. CRASH
BrendanFraser,SandraBullock,ChrisBridges,LarenzTate
Crash is a 2004 American/Germandramafilm, written, produced, and directed by Paul Haggis. It premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2004, and was released internationallyin2005.ThefilmisaboutracialandsocialtensionsinLosAngeles.Aselfdescribed "passionpiece"fordirectorPaulHaggis,Crashwasinspiredbyareallifeincidentinwhichhis PorschewascarjackedoutsideavideostoreonWilshireBoulevardin1991.
ClintEastwood,HilarySwank,MorganFreeman
MillionDollarBabyisa2004filmdirected,coproducedandscoredbyClintEastwoodand starringEastwood,HilarySwank,andMorganFreeman.Itisthestoryofanunderappreciated boxingtrainer,hiselusivepast,andhisquestforatonementbyhelpinganunderdogamateur femaleboxer(thefilm'stitlecharacter)achieveherdreamofbecomingaprofessional.Thefilm wonfourAcademyAwards,includingBestPicture.
Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), an amateur who aspires to prove herself by becoming a successfulboxer,isreluctantlytakenonbyFrankieDunn(ClintEastwood),abrilliantbutdown andoutboxingtrainerwhohasbeencastasidebyhiscolleaguesandrelatives,includinghis estrangeddaughter,Katy.DunnhelpsMaggierealizehergoalwhiledevelopingastrongerthan bloodbondwithher.
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15. THELORDOFTHERINGS:THERETURNOFTHEKING
ElijahWood,IanMcKellen,LivTyler,ViggoMortensen,SeanAstin
TheLord ofthe Rings:The Returnof theKing isa 2003fantasy filmdirected byPeter JacksonthatisbasedonthesecondandthirdvolumesofJ.R.R.Tolkien'sTheLordoftheRings andtheconcludingfilminTheLordoftheRingsfilmtrilogyfollowingTheFellowshipoftheRing (2001)andTheTwoTowers(2002).
AsSauronlaunchesthefinalstagesofhisconquestofMiddleearth,GandalftheWizard,and ThodenKingofRohanrallytheirforcestohelpdefendGondor'scapitalMinasTirithfromthe loomingthreat.AragornfinallyclaimsthethroneofGondorandsummonsanarmyofghoststo helphimdefeatSauron.Ultimately,evenwithfullstrengthofarms,theyrealizetheycannotwin soitcomes downtotheHobbits, FrodoandSam,whoface theburdenofthe Ringandthe treacheryofGollum, andfinallyarriveatMordor, seekingtodestroytheOne RinginMount Doom.
Releasedon17December2003,TheLordoftheRings:TheReturnoftheKingbecameoneofthemostcriticallyacclaimedfilmsand greatestboxofficesuccessesofalltime.ItwonallelevenAcademyAwardsitwasnominatedfor,whichtiesitwithonlyTitanicand BenHurformostAcademyAwardseverwon.ItalsowontheAcademyAwardforBestPicture,theonlytimeinhistoryafantasyfilm hasdoneso.Itisthe2ndhighestgrossingmovieofalltime,grossing$1.12billionworldwide,anditisthe49thmostsuccessfulin NorthAmericaonceadjustedfor inflation.TheSpecial ExtendedEdition, containinganadditional 52minutesof footage,was releasedonDVDon14December2004.
16. ABEAUTIFULMIND
RussellCrowe,JenniferConnelly,EdHarris,PaulBettany
ABeautifulMindisa2001AmericanfilmbasedonthelifeofJohnForbesNash,aNobel LaureateinEconomics.ThefilmwasdirectedbyRonHowardandwrittenbyAkivaGoldsman.It wasinspiredbyabestselling,PulitzerPrizenominated1998bookofthesamenamebySylvia Nasar.ThefilmstarsRussellCrowe,alongwithJenniferConnelly,EdHarrisandPaulBettany.
Thestory beginsin theearly yearsof Nash'slifeatPrinceton Universityas hedevelops his "originalidea"thatwillrevolutionizetheworldofmathematics.Earlyinthemovie,Nashbegins developingparanoidschizophreniaandenduresdelusionalepisodeswhilepainfullywatchingthe lossandburdenhisconditionbringsonhiswifeandfriends.
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17. TITANIC
LeonardoDiCaprio,KateWinslet,BillyZane,FrancesFisher
Titanicisa1997Americanromanticfilmdirected,written,coproducedandcoeditedby JamesCameronaboutthesinkingoftheRMSTitanic.ItfeaturesKateWinsletasRoseDeWitt Bukater,andLeonardoDiCaprioasJackDawson,twomembersofdifferentsocialclasseswhofall inloveaboardtheillfatedvoyageoftheship.Themaincharactersandthecentrallovestoryare fictional,butsomecharacters(suchasmembersoftheship'screw)arebasedonrealhistorical figures.GloriaStuartplaystheelderlyRose,whonarratesthefilminamoderndayframing device.
MelGibson,AlanLadd,Jr.,BruceDavey,StephenMcEveety
BraveheartisanAcademyAwardWinning,1995historicalactiondramamovieproduced anddirectedbyMelGibson,whoalsostarredinthetitlerole.Thefilmwaswrittenforscreenand thennovelized by Randall Wallace. Gibsonportrays a legendary Scot, William Wallace, who gainedrecognitionwhenhecametotheforefrontoftheFirstWarofScottishIndependenceby opposingEdwardIofEngland(portrayedbyPatrickMcGoohan)andsubsequentlyabettedby Edward'sdaughterinlawPrincessIsabelle(playedbySophieMarceau)andaclaimanttothe Scottishthrone,RoberttheBruce(playedbyAngusMacfadyen).
Otherwise,thenarrativeistautnadholdtheviewretohisseat.Historicalmoviesaresometimes calledslowpacedthisisonemovie,thatwillnotinvitethatepithet.
19. SCHINDLER'SLIST
LiamNeeson,BenKingsley,RalphFiennes,CarolineGoodall
Schindler'sList isa1993released filmdirectedby StevenSpielberg.Itis adramatized accountofthetruestoryofOskarSchindler,aGermanbusinessmanwhosavedthelivesofmore thanonethousandPolishJewsduringtheHolocaustbyemployingtheminhisfactories.
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20. LIFEISBEAUTIFUL
RobertoBenigni,NicolettaBraschi,GiorgioCantarini,GiustinoDurano
LifeIsBeautiful(Italian:Lavitabella)isa1997Italianlanguagefilmwhichtellsthestory ofaJewishItalian,GuidoOrefice(playedbyRobertoBenigni,whoalsodirectedandcowrote thefilm),whomustlearnhowtousehisfertileimaginationtohelphissonsurvivetheirinternment inaNaziconcentrationcamp.
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21. ERINBROCKOVICH
JuliaRoberts,AlbertFinney,AaronEckhart
ErinBrockovichisa2000dramawhichdramatizesthestoryofErinBrockovich'sfirstfight againsttheAmericanWestCoastenergygiantPacificGasandElectricCompanyknownasPG&E. ThefilmwasdirectedbyStevenSoderberghandfeaturedactressJuliaRobertsintheleadrole forwhichshesubsequentlywontheAcademyAwardforBestActress.Itisbasedonatruestory andtherealErinBrockovichhasacameoappearanceasawaitressnamedJulia.Theoriginal musicscorewascomposedbyThomasNewman.
22. SCENTOFAWOMAN
AlPacino,ChrisO'Donnell,JamesRebhorn,GabrielleAnwar,PhilipSeymourHoffman
ScentofaWomanisa1992filmwhichtellsthestoryofapreparatoryschoolstudentwho takesajobasanassistanttoanirascible,blind,medicallyretiredArmyofficer.ItstarsAlPacino, ChrisO'Donnell,JamesRebhorn,GabrielleAnwar,andPhilipSeymourHoffman.
23. THEPIANIST
AdrienBrody,ThomasKretschmann
ThePianistisa2002PolishFrenchGermanBritishcoproducedfilmdirectedbyRoman Polanski,starringAdrienBrody.Itisanadaptationoftheautobiographyofthesamenameby JewishPolishmusicianWladyslawSzpilman.
In additionto the Palmed'Or at theCannes FilmFestival,the filmwon the Oscarsfor Best Director,BestActor,andBestAdaptedScreenplay.ItwasalsoawardedsevenFrenchCsars includingBestPicture,BestDirectorandBestActorforBrody(whobecametheonlyAmerican actortowinone).
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JackNicholson,LouiseFletcher,WilliamRedfield
OneFlewOvertheCuckoo'sNestisa1975dramafilmdirectedbyMiloForman.Thefilmis anadaptationofthe1962novelOneFlewOvertheCuckoo'sNestbyKenKesey.Themoviewas thefirsttowinallfivemajorAcademyAwards(BestPicture,ActorinLeadRole,ActressinLead Role,Director,Screenplay)sinceItHappenedOneNightin1934,anaccomplishmentnotrepeated until1991,byTheSilenceoftheLambs.
Hiswardinthementalinstitutionisrunbyacalmbutunyieldingtyrant,NurseRatched(Louise Fletcher), who has cowed the patients most ofwhom arethere bychoice,categorized as "voluntary"patientsintodejectedsubmission.Whileheinitiallyhaslittlerespectforhisfellow patients,McMurphy'santiauthoritariannatureisaroused.HisneedlingofNurseRatchedisinitially justforkicks,buthissenseofinjusticeattheirtreatmentleadshimintoabattlefortheheartsandmindsofthepatients.
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Part 2 BOOKLIST
Thisbooklistisagenerallyrecommendedlistofalltimegreatauthorsandshouldbetakenupseriouslyby individuals keen on improving their overall personality and outlook towards life . These books cover all possiblefacetsofliteratureandifpursuedsincerelycanhelpbroadenyourhorizonsdramatically.Someof thesetitlesmaybeavailableinyourPTcentre'slibrary.Pleaselocateaccordingly.Inanycase,itisadvisable tostartmakingyourownpersonallibraryslowlyandsteadilyandseethetreasuretrovegrow.
S.No. BookTitle/Author ThemeofBook
Business/Management
1 . InSearchofExcellence TomPeters&RobertWaterman Junior TwoconsultantsfromMckinsey&Co,USAfindoutwhicharethe excellentcompaniesinUSAandwhatisthesecretoftheirsuccess. Theyfindacommonthreadrunningthroughthewaytheseexcellent corporationsruntheirbusiness. Analltimehit. Itisnolongerenoughtojustsatisfythecustomer.......heshould say'Wow!'afterusingyourproductorservice. Amasterpiece. Startswithexplaining"economiccycles"(TheKondriatiffcycle), takesonethroughthe"skunkworks"atIBM,HPetc.,andendswith insightsintoentrepreneurismandentrapreneurism.Veryinsightful. TheDaewoo(ex)CEOexplainshisrisefromanewspaperboytothe Koreanchaebol'sbossinalucidstylestressingvirtueslikehard work,dedication,honestyetc.Interesting. Explainswhatadvertisingisallaboutandwhatfactorsaffect advertisingplansandstrategies.Amasterpiece. Ahandyreferenceforstudents,containingwriteupsonmorethan 25alltimegreatmanagementthinkers.Useful. Oneoftheworld'sbestmanagerstellshissuccesssecretsinasimple styleillustratedwithexamples(IMGGroup,whichisbasicallyinto sporteventmarketing).VeryInsightful. TheexCEOofChryslerCorp.explainshisphilosophyandtakesyou insidetheworldofDetroitcarmakers.Great. Sony'sbosstellsusaboutthegrowthofhiscompanyandhiscountry. Aneyeopener. Alighterlookatthefunniersideofmodernmanagement.... ScottAdamsisthenemesisofthearchetypalboss! Funtoread. Thrownintopovertyatagefour,KonosukeMatsushitastruggledwith theearlydeathsoffamilymembers,anapprenticeshipwhichdemandedsixteen hourdaysatagenine,alltheproblemsassociatedwithstartingabusinesswith neithermoneynorconnections,thedeathofhisonlyson,theGreatDepression, thehorrorofWorldWarIIinJapanetc.YetMatsushitagrewtobeafabulously successfulentrepreneurandbusinessleader.Afantasticstory!
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Every street is Paved withGold KimWooChoong OgilvyOnAdvertising DavidOgilvy Instant Management CarolKennedy Whattheydon'tteach atHarvardBusinessSchool MarkMacCormack LeeIacoccaAnautobiography LeeIacoccaTalkingstraight MadeinJapan AkioMorita TheDilbertFuture, TheDilbertPrinciple ScottAdams Matsushita Leadership JohnP.Kotter
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BookTitle/Author
ThemeofBook
12.
AsMarkMcCormackmakesclear,tosucceedinbusiness,youmust be'matchtough',youmusthavethecompetitiveedgewhichcomesonlythrough operatinginareaswhereyouarepushedtotheverylimit.Tosurviveunder suchconditionsisnevereasy,but,withSuccessSecrets,whereveryouareon thecorporateladder,youwillnolongerfindyourselfstrugglingtokeepupwith thecompetitiontheyshouldbestrugglingtokeepupwithyou.Inspirational. Theauthorshaveexaminedeighteenexceptionalandlonglasting companies, including General Electric, 3M, HewlettPackard and Procter & Gamble, and compared each with one of its closest but less successful competitors,inordertodiscoverjustwhathasgivenittheedgeoveritsrivals. Stronglessons. WhenJackWelchwasfirstnamedCEOofGeneralElectric,the businessworldsawGEasanintrinsicallyhealthycorporation,secureinits positionasaworldindustrialleader.Welchsawacompanyintrouble.Instead ofarocksolidcorporation,hesawGEasstandingonaprecipice:toolargeto fail, yet too unwieldy to adapt for further growth. So Welch rolled up his sleevesandwenttowork.Theprescientchangesheinstitutedrestructured andrevolutionizedGE,andmadeJackWelchthemostrespectedCEOinbusiness today.Amasterpiece! Organizationtheory,becauseofthebasicunpredictabilityofhuman behaviour,eludestheprecisequalificationsandprescriptionsofabehavioural science.Butthelargerandmorecomplextheorganizationsbecome,thegreater theneedtounderstandhowtheycanbemadetoworkeffectively.Analltime great ! InTheMcKinseyWay,RasielputsyouthroughMcKinseybootcamp soyoucanbeyourownconsultant,trackingdownironcladsolutionstotough businessproblems.Whetheryouareanexecutive,managerorbusinessowner tacklingtoughstrategicissues,orabusinessprofessionalstrivingtoimprove yourefficiency,effectiveness,andprofileinyourownorganization,itoffersa bold,fascinatingguidetobusinesssuccessaspracticedbythefirmthatdefines managementthinkingtoday.Alearningexperience! 'TheWorldIsFlat:ABriefHistoryoftheTwentyFirstCentury'isaninternational bestsellingbookbyThomasL.Friedmanthatanalyzesglobalization,primarilyin theearly21stcentury.Thetitleisametaphorforviewingtheworldasalevel playing field in terms of commerce, where all competitors have an equal opportunity.Asthefirsteditioncoverillustrationindicates,thetitlealsoalludes totheperceptualshiftrequiredforcountries,companiesandindividualsto remaincompetitiveinaglobalmarketwherehistoricalandgeographicaldivisions arebecomingincreasinglyirrelevant. Freakonomics:ARogueEconomistExplorestheHiddenSideofEverything'isa 2005nonfictionbookbyUniversityofChicagoeconomistStevenLevittand NewYorkTimesjournalistStephenJ.Dubner.Thebookhasbeendescribedas meldingpopculturewitheconomics.Thebookisacollectionofeconomicarticles writtenbyLevitt,translatedintoprosemeantforawideaudience.Levitt,who inthebookisascribedtheepithet"rogueeconomist",hadalreadygaineda reputationinacademiaforapplyingeconomictheorytodiversesubjectsnot usuallycoveredby"traditional"economists ThebookexploreshowGooglechangedtheworldofinformationgatheringand trounceditscompetitors.Drawingonover350interviews,readthebookto discoverwhyGooglereallywassuccessful.
13.
BuiltToLast JamesC.Collins&JerryI.Porras
14.
JackWelchandtheGEWay RobertSlater
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UnderstandingOrganizations CharlesB.Handy
16.
TheMcKinseyWay EthanM.Rasiel
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TheWorldIsFlat ThomasL.Friedman
18.
Freakonomics StevenLevitt,StephenJ.Dubner
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BookTitle/Author
ThemeofBook
20.
TheLeadershipIntegrityChallenge EdwardE.Morler
Thebookprovidesguidanceforleaderswhowanttofollowacomprehensive approachtocreatingacultureofintegrity.EdwardE.Morleroffersthetools forhowtodevelopacorecompetencyofassessingandfacilitatingemotional maturity. Gladwellexploresthepowerofthetrainedmindtomakesplitseconddecisions. Theauthordescribeshissubjectas"thinslicing":ourabilitytogaugewhatis reallyimportantfromaverynarrowperiodofexperience.Inotherwords, spontaneousdecisionsareoftenasgoodasorevenbetterthancarefully plannedandconsideredones.Gladwelldrawsonexamplesfromscience, advertising,sales,medicine,andpopularmusictoreinforcehisideas. ThebookbyMarcusBuckinghamprovidesinsightstohelpyouunderstandyour ownstrengths(andweaknesses)better.Thenstretchanduseittohelpyou understandyourpeoplebetter. MarcusBuckinghamandCurtCoffmansummarizeinthisbooktheresultsof theirindepthstudyofgreatmanagers.Themanagerswhoultimatelybecame thefocusoftheresearchexcelledatdevelopingeachemployee'sspecifictalents andgrowingthemintotopperformers.Thesemanagers,asthetitlesays,do nothesitatetobreakanyrulethatconventionalwisdomsaysmustbefollowed. Eachyear,DiannaBooherteachesthousandsofpeoplehowtocommunicate moreeffectively,atwork,athome,inanysituation.Thisbookdistillshertips intoasinglesourcethatyoucanusetoincreaseyourabilitytothinkonyour feetandverballycommunicatewithconfidence. 'GoodtoGreat:WhySomeCompaniesMaketheLeap...andOthersDon't'isa managementbookbyJamesC.Collinsthataimstodescribehowcompanies transitionfrombeingaveragecompaniestogreatcompaniesandhowcompanies canfailtomakethetransition."Greatness"isdefinedasfinancialperformance severalmultiplesbetterthanthemarketaverageoverasustainedperiodof time.Collinsfindsthemainfactorforachievingthetransitiontobeanarrow focusingofthecompany'sresourcesontheirfieldofcompetence. 'WhoMovedMyCheese?AnAmazingWaytoDealwithChangeinYourWork andinYourLife',publishedin1998,isamotivationalbookbySpencerJohnson writteninthestyleofaparable.Itdescribeschangeinone'sworkandlife,and fourtypicalreactionstosaidchangewithtwomice,two"littlepeople",and theirhuntsforcheese. 'Barbariansat theGate: TheFall ofRJRNabisco' isa 1990book aboutthe leveragedbuyout(LBO)ofRJRNabisco,writtenbyinvestigativejournalists BryanBurroughandJohnHelyar.ThebookcentersonF.RossJohnson,the CEOofRJRNabisco,whoplannedtobuyouttherestoftheNabisco shareholders. 'RichDadPoorDad'advocatesfinancialindependencethroughinvesting,real estate,owningbusinesses,andtheuseoffinanceprotectiontactics.Thebook iswritteninananecdotalmannerandisaimedatcreatingpublicinterestin finance.KiyosakiandLechterstresstheadvocacyofowningthesystemor meansofproduction,ratherthanbeinganemployeeasarecurringthemein thebook'schapters.
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Blink MalcolmGladwell
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NowDiscoverYourStrengths MarcusBuckingham
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First,BreakAlltheRules MarcusBuckinghamandCurtCoffman
24.
CommunicatewithConfidence! DiannaBooher
25.
GoodtoGreat JamesC.Collins
26.
WhoMovedMyCheese? SpencerJohnson
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BarbariansattheGate BryanBurroughandJohnHelyar
28.
RichDadPoorDad RobertKiyosakiandSharonLechter
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ThemeofBook
29.
InSpiteoftheGods EdwardLuce
Inhis'InSpiteoftheGods:TheStrangeRiseofModernIndia'EdwardLuce,a onetimeNewDelhicorrespondentforTheFinancialTimes,describesthe conflictingforcesatworkinIndia,ashevisitsInfosys'plushofficesinBangalore, bustlingcallcentersinMumbai,andimpoverishedfarmersinthestateofUttar Pradesh.Herevealsthatlessthan10%ofIndia's470millionworkersare employedintheformaleconomy,whilemorethan300millionliveinsqualorin thecountry's680,000villages.Luce'svividanecdotesandtrenchantanalysis makethisvolumeapleasuretoread. 'AsianGodfathers:MoneyandPowerinHongKongandSoutheastAsia'isa bookbyJoeStudwell,founderoftheChinaEconomicQuarterly.LiKashing, RobertKuok,StanleyHo,andothermogulsareamongtherichestmenonthe planet.Yetinaregionfullofsuchtycoons,whyisonesohardpressedto identifygloballycompetitiveSoutheastAsianmultinationals?Studwellargues thatwiththesefewmencontrollingvastenterprises,regionaleconomieshaven't masteredthe"technologicalcapabilities,brandedcorporations,andproductivity gainsthatdrivesustainableeconomicdevelopment." FormerFedChiefAlanGreenspan's'TheAgeofTurbulence:Adventuresina NewWorldmadeheadlineswithitsscornfortheBushadministration's economics,GOPcongressmen,andRichardNixon.Thevolumeisalsoamemoir ofGreenspan'slife,fromhisboyhoodinNewYorktoleadershipoftheworld's mostpowerfulcentralbank.Butthebook'struevalueliesinitssecondhalf, wheretheauthoroffershistakeoneverythingfromRussiatofinancial regulationandtheinevitableslowdownofglobalization. Accordingtotheauthor,anyattemptsatpredictionareafool'sgame.Taleb's adviceistoassumethatreallycrazythingscanandwillhappen.Youshouldset yourselfupsothatyoucanbenefitfromgoodcrazythingsratherthanbeing hurtbybadcrazythings.Hisbestselling'TheBlackSwan:TheImpactofthe HighlyImprobable'elaboratesontheunpredictabilityoflife,athesisfirst expoundedinapreviousbook,FooledbyRandomness.Talebridiculesthe mathematicalconstructsunderlyingmodernfinanceinwhatreviewerPeter Coycalled"arichlyenjoyablereadwithanimportantmessage." Inhisbook'TheStrategyParadox:WhyCommittingtoSuccessLeadstoFailure (AndWhattoDoAboutIt)',authorRaynorcontendsthatsuccessfulandfailing companiesoftensharemanysimilarities,because"thestrategiesthathavethe bestchanceofsucceedingbrilliantlyarealsotheonesmostexposedtothe mostdebilitatingkindofstrategicuncertainty."TheDeloitteResearchconsultant deducesthatwhatisneededisachangeingovernancestructureandaserious commitmenttostrategicplanning,withseniorexecutivesmappingoutevery scenariotheycanimagine. FormerNewYorkerwriterJohnNewhouse's'BoeingVersusAirbus:TheInside StoryoftheGreatestInternationalCompetitioninBusiness'offersaninstructive viewofthetwocompaniesduringthelatterhalfofthe1990sandintothis century.NewhousedepictstheU.S.planemakerasstrugglingwithavarietyof issuesinthelate1990s,particularlythatofabsorbingnewacquisitionsand managingamuchenlargedorganization.Healsocapturestherecentdeclineof AirbusandthestorybehindthetroublesplaguingitsA380.
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TheAgeofTurbulence AlanGreenspan
32.
TheBlackSwan NassimNicholasTaleb
33.
34.
BoeingVersusAirbus JohnNewhouse
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35.
TheOilandtheGlory SteveLeVine
TheOilandtheGlory:ThePursuitofEmpireandFortuneontheCaspianSea' byformerWallStreetJournalcorrespondentSteveLeVineisacannyand entertaininglookatthedubiouspractices,intrigue,andpoliticalarmtwisting thatcanbeapartofdealsindevelopingnations,wheremoreandmoreofthe oilbusinesstakesplace.ThedisintegrationoftheSovietUnionintheearly 1990sunleashedamoderndayKlondikeinthebleakCaspianregion,withoil giantsbuttingheadsanddistributingmoneytogainaccesstothehugeoil fields.Ahostofoutrageous,sometimesintimidatingcharactershelpmake LeVine'sbookengrossing. Afascinatingimmigrantfamilysagaandunusualbusinessnarrativemaybe foundin'TheHouseofMondavi:TheRiseandFallofanAmericanWineDynasty' byJuliaFlynnSilerofTheWallStreetJournal.PaterfamiliasCesareMondavi beganthefamilyenterprisewithanearly20thcenturyfruitwholesaling business.Inthe1940s,thefamilymovedintowinemakingwiththepurchaseof theCharlesKrugWinery.ButtheMondaviswouldprovetobeoneofthemost dysfunctionalfamiliesinthehistoryofU.S.industry,andafterrepeatedfeuds, by2004thecompanywasontheblock.Itwasasadconclusiontoafascinating historyfilledwithcharismaticyetflawedcharacters. In'TheBillionaireWhoWasn't:HowChuckFeeneySecretlyMadeandGave AwayaFortune',IrishjournalistConorO'Clerychroniclesthefascinatinglifeof amostunusualSamaritan.Throughthe1970sand'80s,ChuckFeeneyand partnerRobertMillerbuiltDutyFreeShoppersintoaninternationalbehemoth. Meanwhile,Feeneydecidedtogivehiswealthsteadilyaway,transferringhis shareofDutyFreetoanoffshorefoundationwhosegrantsarecloakedin secrecy. 'TheRoadAhead',abookwrittenbyBillGates,NathanMyhrvoldandPeter Rinearsonandpublishedin1995,summarizedtheimplicationsofthepersonal computingrevolutionanddescribedafutureprofoundlychangedbythearrival ofaglobalinteractivenetwork. ConsultantJohnKaoassertsthatAmerica'scompetitiveadvantageisgoing, going,nearlygone.'InnovationNation:HowAmericaIsLosingItsInnovation Edge,WhyItMatters,andWhatWeCanDotoGetItBack'notesthattoday, talentismorewidelydispersedacrosstheglobethaneverbefore.Venture capitalpoolsarelaunchingagenerationofnewstartupsacrossAsiaandEurope. HowshouldtheU.S.respond?Foronething,Kaowouldspend$20billionto create20innovationhubsrevolvingaroundsuchthingsascleanenergy,digital media,andhealthcare.
36.
TheHouseofMondavi JuliaFlynnSiler
37.
TheBillionaireWhoWasn't ConorO'Clery
38.
39.
InnovationNation JohnKao
Psychology
40. I'mOKyou'reOK ThomasAHarris StayingOK ThomasA.Harris GamesPeoplePlay EricBerne TheoriesofPersonality HallandLindzey Abookontransactionalanalysis,selfanalysis,organisational behaviourthattalksaboutcharactertraitsetc.Opensyourmind. Almostsimilartoabove.
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TheDragonsofEden CarlSagan
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BookTitle/Author
ThemeofBook
45.
GluttonsandLibertines MarstonBates
Motivational
46. JonathanLivingstonSeagull RichardBach IllusionsChangingperceptions RichardBach One RichardBach Bridge across forever RichardBach Runningfrom safety RichardBach FountainHead AynRand Atlas Shrugged AynRand Thesevenhabitsofhighly effectivepeople StevanCovey SnapshotsfromhellThe makingofanMBA PeterRobinson(MBAStanford)
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All these are motivational books on self development,relationships,valuesystems, nature of reality etc. Meant for serious
readers.
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ScienceNonfiction
55. Cosmos CarlSagan PaleBlueDot CarlSagan TheTrialsofLife LifeonEarth, TheLivingPlanet SirDavidAttenborough TheMakingofMankind RichardE.Leakey TheAscentof Man JacobBrownowsky Thealltimegreatmasterpiecethattalksofpolitics,humans, evolutions,ETlife,geneticsandofcourse......Astronomy! TalksaboutthefutilityoflifeonEarthasseenagainstthe cosmicbackdrop. ThealltimegreattrialogydescribinglifeonEarth.
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BookTitle/Author
ThemeofBook
60.
Neatlydescribesthehumanracefromthepointofviewof akeenobserver.Lotsofillustrations,examples.
61.
ExplainsthenatureofUniversewithspecialemphasison BlackHoles.....Alltimebestseller.
62.
TheclassicTofflertrilogy.....Talksaboutnatureofpower, developmentofpoweroverthousandofyears,changessweeping theworldandman'senabilitytocopewiththesame. ReadtheFuture. Ascientist'sviewofuncertaintiesinnature,lawsofnature,man's limitationsinunderstandingnature.Seriousstuffmeantforthe maturereader.IntenseStuff. Itistheauthor'sclassicexplorationoftheconnectionsbetween Easternmysticismandmodernphysics.Aninternationalbestseller,thebook's centralthesis,thatthemysticaltraditionsoftheEastconstituteacoherent philosophicalframeworkwithinwhichthemostadvancedWesterntheoriesof thephysicalworldcanbeaccommodated,hasnotonlywithstoodthetestof timebutisevermoreemphaticallyendorsedbyongoingexperimentationand research.Insightful! Thescienceofchaoscutsacrosstraditionalscientificdisciplines, tyingtogetherunrelatedkindsofwildnessandirregularity,fromtheturbulence ofweathertothecomplicatedrhythmsofthehumanheart,fromthedesignof snowflakestothewhorlsofwindsweptdesertsands.Interesting.
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Chaos JamesGleick
ScienceFiction
66. Contact CarlSagan TheROBOTSeries IsaacAsimov The Odyssey Series ArthurC.Clarke BraveNewWorld AldousHuxley Tantalizinglytalksaboutman'sfirstencounterwithETlife.
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BookTitle/Author
ThemeofBook
Philosophy
70.
LogicandKnowledge, WhyIamNotaChristian, Russell'sBest, ThePrinciplesofMathematics, HumanKnowledge, PhilosophicalEssays, OurKnowledgeofthe ExternalWorld, HumanSocietyinEthics andPolitics, ThePhilosophyofLeibniz, TheAnalysisofMind, MyPhilosophicalDevelopment, PoliticalIdeals, Roadsto Freedom, MarriageandMorals, UnpopularEssays, InPraiseofIdleness, AuthorityandTheIndividual, TheImpactofScienceonSociety,
BertrandRussell
Logic ScepticalEssays AssortedEssays Mathematics Philosophy Philosophy Science General/Politics Biography Philosophy/Psychology Biography/Philosophy Politics/General Politics Anthropology/Sociology Miscellaneous General Psychology Science
Alltheseareproducts ofthebrilliantmindof British p o l y m a t h Bertrand R u s s e l l . Shockinglyiconoclastic, surprisinglyhumourous, immensely witty, and full of human passion anddignity. Amustforanyreader intendingtodevelopan insightintophilosophy.
71.
TalksandDialogues, CommentariesonLiving, TheFirstandLastFreedom, TheImpossibleQuestion, TheBookofLife, TheYearsofAwakening, QuestioningKrishnamurti, TheYearsofFulfillment, TraditionandRevolution, TheFlightoftheEagle, LifeAhead, ThisMatterofCulture, TheWayofIntelligence, TheEndingofTime
J.Krishnamurti
Psychology Life Philosophy Philosophy General Biographical Biographical Biographical Miscellaneous Psychology General Culture Psychology General
AuniqueIndianinsight into life, its meaning, approachestolife,the Indianapproach,etc. A m us t read for any s t u d e n t w h o i s a beginner.
72.
Thephilosophyofwomanasthesecondsex.....Thisbook revolutionisedsociety'soutlooktowardswomen. Thephilosophyoflifeasseenthroughtheeyesofa wanderingmotorcyclist. Abeautifulcollectionofdifferentphilosophers'viewpoints.... Agreatcompilation. 'Scienceisasystemofsecondcauses,whichcannotdescribethe worldadequately,muchlessaccountforit'.Radhakrishnanexploresinthis bookmodernintellectualdebateandthevainattemptstofindasubstitutefor religion.Hediscusses,drawinguponthetraditionsofEastandWest,thenature andvalidityofreligiousexperience.Finally,hecreatesafinevisionofman's evolutionandtheemergenceofhighervalues.Therangeofsubjectcombined withtheauthor'sownfaith,undogmaticandfreeofcreed,makesthisbooka philosophicaleducationinitself.
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BookTitle/Author
ThemeofBook
Creativity
76.
PracticalThinking , HandbookforthePositiveRevolution, Wordpower, LetterstoThinkers, TeachYourselftoThink, ConflictsABetterWaytoResolveThem, TheHappinessPurpose, WaterLogic, The5dayCourseinThinking, Masterthinker's Handbook
EdwardDeBono
77.
GeneralFiction
78.
Wellresearchedthrillersforsomelightreading
79.
Enjoyablereadingforrelievingstress.
NineteenEightyFourisaclassicnovelbyEnglishauthorGeorgeOrwellthat focusesonarepressive,totalitarianregimewherecivillibertiesareabsentand peoplearebrainwashedintosubmission.Thestoryfollowsthelifeofone seeminglyinsignificantman,WinstonSmith,a civilservantassignedthetaskof falsifying records and political literature,thuseffectivelyperpetuating p r o p a g a n d a . S m i t h growsdisillusionedwithhismeagreexistenceandsobegins a n u l t i m a t e l y f u t i l e rebellionagainstthesystem.Thenovelhasbecomefamous f o r i t s p o r t r a y a l o f surveillanceandgovernment'sincreasingencroachmenton t h e r i g h t s o f t h e individual.SinceitspublicationthetermsBigBrotherand O r w e l l i a n haveenteredthepopularvernacular. 81. Congo, Jurassic Park, Contagionetc. MichaelCrichton AnimalFarm GeorgeOrwell Wellresearchedsciencethemedthrillers
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NineteenEightyFour GeorgeOrwell
82.
GeorgeOrwell's'AnimalFarm'reflectseventsleadinguptoandduringthe StalinerabeforeWorldWarII.Theshortnovellaisanallegoryinwhichanimals playtherolesoftheBolshevikrevolutionariesandoverthrowandoustthe humanownersofthefarm,settingitupasacommuneinwhich,atfirst,all animalsareequalhowever,classandstatusdisparitiessoonemergebetween thedifferentanimalspecies(thepigsbeingthe"greaterspecies").Thenovel describeshowasociety'sideologiescanbemanipulatedandtwistedbythose inpositionsofsocialandpoliticalpower,includinghowautopiansocietyis madeimpossiblebythecorruptingnatureoftheverypowernecessaryto createit.
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83.
TheWhiteTiger AravindAdiga
The2008BookerprizewinningnovelbyIndianauthorAravindAdigastudies thecontrastbetweenIndia'sriseasamodernglobaleconomyandthemain characterBalramHalwai,whocomesfromcrushingruralpoverty.Thenovel takestheformofaseriesofletterswrittenlateatnightbytheprotagonist BalramtoWenJiabao,thePremieroftheStateCouncilofthePeople'sRepublic ofChina.Intheletters,Balramdescribeshisrisefromlowlyoriginstohis currentpositionasanentrepreneurinBangalore,aswellashisviewsonIndia's castesystemanditspoliticalcorruption. The2006BookerprizewinningbookbyIndianauthorKiranDesaihasamongits mainthemesmigrationandlivingbetweentwoworldsandbetweenpastand present.Setinthe1980s,thebooktellsthestoryofJemubhaiPopatlalPatel, ajudgelivingoutadisenchantedretirementinKalimpong,ahillstationinthe Himalayanfoothills,andhisrelationshipwithhisgranddaughterSai.Thenovel alsodepictstheinsurgencyintheHimalayasbytheGorkhapeoplefightingfor theirownidentityanditsimpactonthewiderpopulation.Anotherfocusofthe novelisthelifeofBiju,thesonofMr.Patel'scookanillegalimmigrantmaking hiswayinNewYork 'VernonGodLittle'isthe2003BookerPrizewinningnovelofDBCPierre.The maincharacterofthenovelisafifteenyearoldboywholivesinasmalltown intheU.S.stateofTexas.WhenhisfriendJesusNavarrocommitssuicideafter killingsixteenbullyingschoolmates,suspicionfallsonVernon,whobecomes somethingofascapegoatinhissmallhometownofMartirio.Fearingthedeath penalty,hegoesontheruntoMexico.Thebooksatirizestrailerparkresidents, themedia,andmostofall,thosewhobelievethatlifeintheUnitedStatesis justlikewhattheyseeontheTVnews.TheBookerPrizejudgesdescribeditas a"coruscatingblackcomedyreflectingouralarmbutalsoourfascinationwith America". 'LifeofPi'isafantasyadventurenovelwrittenbyCanadianauthorYannMartel. Inthestory,theprotagonistPiscine'Pi'MolitorPatel,anIndianboyfrom Pondicherry,exploresissuesofreligion,spirituality,andpracticalityfroman earlyage.Hesurvives227daysafterashipwreck,whilestrandedonaboatin thePacificOcean.ThenovelwontheprestigiousManBookerPrizeforFictionin 2002. 'TheBlindAssassin'is2000BookerPrizewinningnovelbytheCanadianauthor MargaretAtwood.Thebookcentresontheprotagonist,IrisChase,andher sisterLaura,whocommittedsuicideimmediatelyaftertheSecondWorldWar. Iris,nowanoldwoman,recallstheeventsandrelationshipsofherchildhood, youthandmiddleage,aswellasherunhappymarriagetoRichardGriffen,a rivalofherindustrialistfather. 'Disgrace'isanovelbySouthAfricanbornauthorJ.M.Coetzee,winnerofthe 2003NobelPrizeinLiteraturethebookitselfwontheBookerPrizein1999. DisgraceisthestoryofaDavidLurie,twicedivorcedanddissatisfiedwithhis jobasanEnglishprofessor,wholoseseverything:hisreputation,hisjob,his peaceofmind,hisgoodlooks,hisdreamsofartisticsuccess,andfinallyeven hisabilitytoprotecthischerisheddaughter.InthenewSouthAfrica,violence isunleashedinnewways,andLurieandhisdaughterbecomevictims. 'Amsterdam',anovelbyBritishwriterIanMcEwan,isamoralitytalerevolving aroundanewspapereditorVernonHallidayandeminentcomposerCliveLinley. DuringthecourseofthebookCliveandVernonbecomemortalenemiesbenton exactingrevenge.Theconsequencesoftheirdecisions,andapactmade betweenthem,leadthembothtoAmsterdamwherethenovel'sdnouement playsout.McEwanwasawardedthe1998BookerPrizeforthenovel. 'TheGodofSmallThings'(1997)isapoliticallychargednovelbyIndianauthor ArundhatiRoy.Itisastoryaboutthechildhoodexperiencesofapairoffraternal twinswhobecomevictimsofcircumstance.Thebookisadescriptionofhowthe smallthingsinlifebuildup,translateintopeople'sbehaviorandaffecttheir lives.ThebookwontheBookerPrizein1997.
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84.
TheInheritanceofLoss KiranDesai
85.
VernonGodLittle DBCPierre
86.
LifeofPi YannMartel
87.
TheBlindAssassin MargaretAtwood
88.
Disgrace J.M.Coetzee
89.
Amsterdam IanMcEwan
90.
TheGodofSmallThings ArundhatiRoy
S.No.
BookTitle/Author
ThemeofBook
91.
'TheFamishedRoad'isthe1991BookerPrizewinningnovelwrittenbyNigerian authorBenOkri.ThenovelfollowsthelifeofAzaro,anabikuorspiritchild, livinginanunnamedmostlikelyNigeriancity.Thenovelemploysaunique narrativestyleincorporatingthespiritworldwiththe"real"worldinwhatsome haveclassifiedasmagicalrealism.Othershavelabeleditanimistrealism.Still otherschoosetosimplycallthenovelfantasyliterature. JapaneseBritishauthorKazuoIshiguro's'TheRemainsofTheDay'wonthe KazuoIshiguroBookerPrizein1989.ThenovelTheRemainsoftheDaytellsthe storyofStevens,anEnglishbutlerwhodedicateshislifetotheloyalserviceof LordDarlington(mentionedinincreasingdetailinflashbacks).Thestoryistold fromthefirstpersonpointofviewwiththenarratorrecallinghislifethrougha lettertoanunknownpersonwhileprogressingthroughthepresent.Eventsin thenarrator'scontemporaryliferemindhimofeventsfromhispast. SalmanRushdie's'Midnight'sChildren'wonthe1981BookerPrize.Thenovelis alooseallegoryforeventsinIndiabothbeforeand,primarily,afterthe independenceandpartitionofIndia,whichtookplaceatmidnighton15August 1947.TheprotagonistandnarratorofthestoryisSaleemSinai,atelepathwith anextraordinarynose.Thetechniqueofmagicalrealismfindsliberalexpression throughoutthenovelandiscrucialtoconstructingtheparalleltothecountry's history. 'HeatandDust'isanovelbyRuthPrawerJhabvalawhichwontheBookerPrize in1975.TheeventsofthestorytakeplaceinIndia,duringtheperiodsofthe BritishRajinthe1920sandthepresentdayofthenovel(the1970s).Ayoung Englishwoman,searchesforthetruthabouthergreatauntOlivia(1920s).The narratordiscoversthatOliviawasawomansmotheredbythesocialrestrictions placeduponherbyBritishsociety. 'Sophie'sChoice',anovelbyWilliamStyronpublishedin1979,concernsayoung AmericanSoutherner,anaspiringwriter,whobefriendstheJewishNathan LandauandhisbeautifulloverSophie,aPolish(butnonJewish)survivorofthe Naziconcentrationcamps.ThedifficultdecisionthatshapesthecharacterSophie issometimesusedasanidiom.A"Sophie'sChoice"isatragicchoicebetween twounbearableoptions. 'TheShippingNews'isa1993PulitzerPrizeandNationalBookAwardwinning novelbyE.AnnieProulx.ThestorycentersonQuoyle,anewspaperworker fromNewYorkwhosefatherhademigratedfromNewfoundland.Shortlyafter thesuicideofhisparents,Quoyle'sunfaithfulandabusivewifePetalandher loverleavetown.Dayslater,shesellstheirdaughterstoa'blackmarketadoption agency'forthesumof$6,000.Soonthereafter,Petalandherloverarekilled inacaraccidenttheyounggirlsarelocatedbypoliceandreturnedtoQuoyle. Despitethesafereturnofhisdaughters,Quoyle'slifeiscollapsingandhis paternalaunt,AgnisHamm,convinceshimtoreturntotheirancestralhomeof Newfoundlandforanewbeginning. 'AllthePrettyHorses',anovelbyU.S.authorCormacMcCarthy,wontheU.S. NationalBookAwardin1992.ThenoveltellsofJohnGradyCole,asixteen yearoldcowboywhogrewuponhisgrandfathers'sranchinwestTexas.The storybeginssoonafterthedeathofJohnGrady'sgrandfather,andJohnGrady learnsthattheranchistobesold.Facedwiththeprospectofmovinginto town,JohnGradyinsteadchoosestoleave,convincinghisbestfriend,Lacey Rawlins,toaccompanyhim. 'TheColorPurple'receivedthe1983PulitzerPrizeforFictionandtheNational BookAward.TakingplacemostlyinruralGeorgia,thestoryfocusesonfemale blacklifeduringthe1930sintheSouthernUnitedStates,addressingthe numerousissuesintheblackfemalelife,includingtheirexceedinglylowposition inAmericansocialculture.
92.
TheRemainsoftheDay KazuoIshiguro
93.
Midnight'sChildren SalmanRushdie
94.
HeatandDust RuthPrawerJhabvala
95.
Sophie'sChoice WilliamStyron
96.
TheShippingNews E.AnnieProulx
97.
AllthePrettyHorses CormacMcCarthy
98.
TheColorPurple AliceWalker
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S.No.
BookTitle/Author
ThemeofBook
99.
RabbitisRich JohnUpdike
'RabbitIsRich',awardedthePulitzerPrizeforFictionin1982,isthethirdnovel inthefourpartserieswhichbeginswithRabbit,RunandRabbitRedux,and concludeswithRabbitAtRest.ThenovelexaminesthelifeofHarry"Rabbit" Angstrom,aonetimehighschoolbasketballstar,whohasreachedapaunchy middleagewithoutstrayingfromBrewer,Pennsylvania,thedowntrodden, fictionalcityofhisbirth.HarryandJanice,hiswifeoftwentytwoyears,live comfortably,havinginheritedherlatefather'sToyotadealership.Heisindeed rich,butHarry'spersistentproblemshiswife'sdrinking,histroubledson's schemes,hislibido,andspectresfromhispastcomplicatelife. 'ColdMountain'isa1997historicalfictionnovelbyCharlesFrazier.Ittellsthe storyofW.P.Inman,awoundeddeserterfromtheConfederatearmynearthe endoftheAmericanCivilWarwhowalksformonthstoreturntoAdaMonroe, theloveofhislifetheplotsharesseveralsimilaritieswithHomer'sTheOdyssey. ThenovelalternateschapterbychapterbetweenInman'sandAda'sstories.
100.
ColdMountain CharlesFrazier
... the list continues. In fact the more you read, the more you will become aware of newer authors,newertitles,newerthemes.Takethefirststep,andyourjourneytowardsagreatfuture withunlimitedhorizonswouldhavealreadybegun.
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