Thinking about a graduation gift for a high school or college graduate? An eye-opening book can make the ideal gift. A book is durable, and a good book provides priceless knowledge useful for eternity. Here is a list of top ten books ideal for any high school or college graduate of either sex. Feel free to choose any of the following for your gift. If you feel particularly generous, you might be able to afford all ten, or you can pick the top five for your gift package, or simply choose one for your gift.
(Please note: I have thought very hard before coming up with this list, since I am picking just ten out of countless thousands of great books available. These I have included are what I consider absolutely must read, arranged in relative order of importance, subject to my personal biases.)
1. How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie. First published in 1936, this book has become a classic best-selling self-help book. It contains in 291 pages detailed instructions illustrated with examples on how to interact with people, make others like you, win others to your way of thinking, change people without causing resentment, write letters that produce miraculous effects, and make your home life and marriage happier. Be sure to buy the original 1936 edition, and not the newer 1981 edition, which is abridged and omitted many important sections. This book is perhaps the single best book ever written on human relationships and is a must read for everyone. I would highly encourage getting this book as soon as possible, read it, study it, and read it again and again to plant the principles taught in this book firmly in mind. You can find this book in many bookstores and online, such as here: http://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/B0024IISFU/ref=sr_1_29?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300460627&sr;=1-29
2. The Elements of Style, by Strunk and White. This is, without exaggeration, the best grammar book ever written and should be read by anyone who uses the English language. This will definitely make the reader a better writer, as well as a better thinker. I highly recommend this for every high school or college graduate. Here is one of many places to buy a copy: http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Style-4th-William-Strunk/dp/0205313426/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300463524&sr;=1-1
3. The Holy Bible. The King James Version is perhaps the best English version. This is actually a collection of 66 books from the Old and New Testaments. When a person is religious or not, the Bible is a must read. It is the best-selling book in history, and is the foundation of both Judaism and Christianity. Even the Koran, the holy text of the Islam faith, has some correlation with the historic accounts of the Bible. The Bible contains history of the Hebrew people, instructions on daily conducts with others, prophecies, some of the greatest poetry and prose ever written, and much more. The King James Version is recommended because its language is concise and elegant, it is most widely accepted among all Christian denominations, and is an important study in English literature in and of itself. You can buy this book in almost every bookstore or online, such as here: http://www.amazon.com/Holy-Bible-King-James-Version/dp/0529064634/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300460778&sr;=1-8
4. The Intelligent Investor, by Benjamin Graham. The famous investor Warren Buffett described this book as “by far the best book on investing ever written” (see Graham, Benjamin; Jason Zweig (2003-07-08) [1949]. The Intelligent Investor. Warren E. Buffett (collaborator) (2003 edition ed.). HarperCollins. front cover. ISBN 0-06-055566-1.). This book is a must read for everyone, especially those early on in their career, therefore ideal for high school and college graduates. First published in 1949, this book has undergone multiple subsequent editions. Any edition would be more than satisfactory. You can buy this book in many places, such as here: http://www.amazon.com/Intelligent-Investor-Definitive-Investing-Practical/dp/0060555661/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300460968&sr;=1-1
5. Tao Te Ching, by Lao Tzu. This classic Taoist text is written by the philosopher Lao Tzu around the 6th century BC. It will introduce a recent high school or college graduate to important Eastern thought and teaches important lessons about life. Here is one of many places you can buy a copy: http://www.amazon.com/Tao-Ching-English-Mandarin-Chinese/dp/1595479511/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300463105&sr;=1-4
6. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin . Written by Benjamin Franklin and published in 1791, this book has become one of the most famous and influential autobiographies ever written. It will teach a high school or college graduate important life lessons useful for the rest of his life. Here is one of many places to buy it: http://www.amazon.com/Autobiography-Benjamin-Franklin/dp/1936594374/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300461097&sr;=1-1
7. Security Analysis, by Graham and Dodd. This book, also written by Benjamin Graham, is perhaps the most complete and informative investment book ever written. It is a more difficult read than The Intelligent Investor, but it is certainly worth every minute of one’s time reading it. Buy this book for a motivated high school or college graduate, and he or she will thank you for life. You can buy this book in most bookstores and online, such as here: http://www.amazon.com/Security-Analysis-Classic-Benjamin-Graham/dp/0070244960/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300461047&sr;=1-1
8. Federalist Papers, by “Publius” (pseudonym for Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay). This is a series of 85 articles or essays that helped lead to the ratification of the United States Constitution. It is an indispensible historical document in this study of US history and a must read for all scholars. It is the ideal gift for a high school or college graduate interested in law, government, politics, or history. You can buy a copy in many places such as here: http://www.amazon.com/Federalist-Papers-Alexander-Hamilton/dp/1936594404/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300462494&sr;=1-1
9. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey. Published in 1989, this book quickly became a ground-breaking best-seller. This book will help high school and college graduates starting out in life become more fulfilling and effective in life. You can buy a copy here: http://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People/dp/0671708635/ref=cm_lmf_tit_2
10. One Thousand and One Nights, or Arabian Nights, a collection of Arabic Middle Eastern and South Asian stories and folk tales. This classic is a delightful read and teaches about Middle Eastern cultures. I would rate this as the best fiction book ever written. Here is one of many places to buy a copy: http://www.amazon.com/Arabian-Nights-Tales-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140449388/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300464402&sr;=1-4
