An interesting post and two well put questions. The books that meant – and still mean – something to me in college were three as well (I think in threes!).

Like you, my focus in college was politics (and economics) and so my dearest books of the time are touched by this: Voltaire's “Candide” and Ayn Rand's “Fountainhead” and “Atlas Shrugged”. All three I still hold dear. Candide is a wonderful object lesson in, what someone once said, life is what happens while we're making other plans. Ayn Rand's novels of course celebrate the individual as such, the entrepreneur and creator as the engines of human advancement – both ideals which I wholeheartedly endorse.

So, while I would recommend these to any and every college student, I realize that not every student has wanderlust or a deep respect for individual liberty. So, which books should very college student read?

No doubt my list would change if in a different mood but here you go:

1. Dale Carnegie's “How to win friends and influence people”. I say this because far too many of the college students I interview for prospective jobs simply have next to no basic social skills. Simple advice: smile, wave, say hello, be genuinely interested in other people. It's not hard.

2. Rilke's “Letters…” – which you've already discussed. It's wonderful advice – read it by candlelight.

3. Toss up – Candide or The Fountainhead.

Thanks for asking –

Have fun –

Jack

An interesting post and two well put questions. The books that meant – and still mean – something to me in college were three as well (I think in threes!).

Like you, my focus in college was politics (and economics) and so my dearest books of the time are touched by this: Voltaire's “Candide” and Ayn Rand's “Fountainhead” and “Atlas Shrugged”. All three I still hold dear. Candide is a wonderful object lesson in, what someone once said, life is what happens while we're making other plans. Ayn Rand's novels of course celebrate the individual as such, the entrepreneur and creator as the engines of human advancement – both ideals which I wholeheartedly endorse.

So, while I would recommend these to any and every college student, I realize that not every student has wanderlust or a deep respect for individual liberty. So, which books should very college student read?

No doubt my list would change if in a different mood but here you go:

1. Dale Carnegie's “How to win friends and influence people”. I say this because far too many of the college students I interview for prospective jobs simply have next to know basic social skills. Simple advise: smile, wave, say hello, be genuinely interested in other people. It's not hard.

2. Rilke's “Letters…” – which you've already discussed. It's wonderful advice – read it by candlelight.

3. Toss up – Candide or The Fountainhead.

Thanks for asking –

Have fun –

Jack