The 50
Most Influential Books of All Time
For many centuries, books have been
one of the central forms of entertainment for humankind. Readers around the
world invest countless hours escaping into new and unique worlds, losing
themselves in the words and pages of books from various genres. While all books
affect readers in different ways, history has shown that some books have a way
of reaching and impacting large groups of people so that they are forever
changed. These books can share knowledge, inspiration, and discoveries in
various fields. They teach, influence, and alter the way we think. Sometimes
these books are so important and enlightening that they help the world and its
people evolve. The following books have done just that. By educating and
informing readers in the areas of politics and government, creating new
standards in literature, challenging societal norms, and advancing academic
thought in the schools of science and religion, these are top 50 books that
changed the world.
Politics
and Government
These titles represent some of the
most influential books that examine politics, economics, and philosophy. Each
of these texts had an impact on the way we understand governance.
1.
The Republic, Plato. Written
around 380 BCE, this text is considered to be one of the most influential
pieces ever written. The Republic observes justice in man and
politics and discusses the role of the philosopher in society. Many of the
intellectual concepts contained in The Republic are still
discussed today, but the text is also an important historical document that
provides historians with a snapshot of Greece at the time of its writing.
2.
The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. One of the most recognized and popular political texts
ever written, The Communist Manifesto details the class
struggle that exists in society and traces its beginnings in history. The
document highlights the problems of capitalism and capitalist production and
how these structures impact the political and societal landscape.
3.
The Rights of
Man by Thomas Paine. The Rights of Man argues that political
revolution is acceptable and permissible when a government fails to perform its
duty of protecting the natural rights of its citizens. Written as a defense of
the French Revolution, Paine's 1791 book was widely circulated and challenged
all societal institutions that don't benefit the nation overall, including
institutions such as monarchies and aristocracies.
4.
Common Sense by
Thomas Paine. Published anonymously in 1776,
this pamphlet supported the Americans in their fight for independence from the
British during the American Revolution. The pamphlet encouraged the people in
the American Colonies to resist the leaders from Great Britain and push for an
egalitarian government. Still today, Common Sense is one of
the all-time best-selling American titles.
5.
Democracy in
America by
Alexis de Tocqueville. In what
was originally meant to be an observation of the American prison system, Democracy
in America is a look at American society and institutions overall and
the reasons why American democratic equality exists and thrived at the time of
the writing. Alexis de Tocqueville traced the historical evolution of equality
and suggested that specific conditions, such as widespread economic opportunity
and the abolition of primogeniture, led to the American democratic revolution.
6.
The Prince by
Niccolo Machiavelli. Considered to be one of the
first works of modern political philosophy, The Prince is a
political treatise from 1513 that offers advice on how aspiring leaders can
survive and thrive in the contentious political landscape. While the intent of
the book is still debated, the result is one of the most unabashed meditations
on political power and what is required in order to make it last.
7.
Narrative of
the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass. Written by the famed orator and former slave,
Frederick Douglass, this narrative is considered the most famous of pieces
written by former slaves and one of the most influential texts during the
abolitionist movement in the United States. In the text, Douglass recounts his
life as a slave on his way to freedom.
8.
On Liberty by John Stewart Mill. This philosophical work is considered a foundational
text for modern liberal political thought. The text applies ethical
utilitarianism to society and state governance, arguing that more importance be
placed on the consequences of actions as they relate to the interests of others
than one's own interests.
9.
The Wealth of
Nations by
Adam Smith. The Wealth of Nations,
published in 1776, describes how and what builds a nation's wealth. Largely
viewed as the foundational text for classical economics, The Wealth of
Nations explores the economic system and suggests that a free market
is able to automate and regulate itself. These functions are only limited by
the privileges given to certain members within the economy.
10.
Orientalism by
Edward Said. Primarily a work of
postcolonial cultural studies, Orientalism discusses how
cultural representations of the Eastern world are bound to the structures and
societies that create them. Since these patronizing and exaggerated depictions
of difference are designed in such a way that Western superiority is
highlighted in comparison, Orientalism becomes a critique of
Westerns politics and power.
Literature
From creating characters and stories
that have become foundational elements in cultures around the world to
upsetting undesirable standards and inspiring the imagination of many, these
works of literature have touched the world in significant ways. These are the
most influential books in literature.
11.
The
Canterbury Tales by
Geoffrey Chaucer. Written in the 14th century,
this collection of tales brought to life characters and stories that remain
popular today. The Canterbury Tales also provides a glimpse
into the customs and practices within the society at the time of its writing.
This work is one of the most read books and one of the most studied in all the
world. Many scholars suggest that Chaucer's magnum opus contributed greatly to
the popularization of the English vernacular in literature.
12.
Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. Considered
one of the most important pieces of world literature, the Divine Comedy is
an epic poem that details a journey through the realms of the afterlife and,
allegorically, the soul's discovery of God. Long considered to be the greatest
piece of Italian literature, the Divine Comedy also provides
us with a closer view of medieval Christian theology and philosophy.
13.
The Complete Works of William
Shakespeare. William
Shakespeare is often considered the greatest writer in the English language and
the greatest dramatist in all of history. The characters, stories, and language
have taken hold of readers for hundreds of years and have greatly contributed
to shaping modern culture. Shakespeare's complete works have been translated
into every major language and are still enjoyed around the world.
14.
Moby Dick by
Herman Melville. This now-famous book about a
man's hunt for the great whale is considered one of the greatest American
novels ever written. Moby Dick is heavy on symbolism, but is
also famous for the detailing of the whaling industry in the 19th century and
its many different narrative styles and structures.
15.
1984 by George Orwell. This
dystopian novel describes life in a totalitarian regime that has stripped the
people of their rights. The themes in this novel have become a major part of
modern culture, creating terms and concepts that have been incorporated into
our own society. Surveillance, truth, and censorship take center stage in this
novel; no other book has contributed to our understanding of these themes
like 1984.
16.
Brave New
World by
Aldous Huxley. Another dystopian novel, this
one by Huxley is often considered one of the great novels of the 20th century.
Huxley's novel looked unfavorably on the loss of an individual's identity
through futuristic technological advancements. Huxley's own fears of commerciality
and the emerging youth culture are fully on display in this novel.
17.
The Iliad and
The Odyssey by
Homer. These two ancient Greek epic
poems are not only the preeminent works in ancient Greek literature, but they
are also incredibly influential texts for all forms of art, thought, and music
in Western civilization. The Iliad details a few weeks during
the end of the Trojan War and the Odyssey describes Odysseus'
ten-year journey home from the Trojan War. These two works are important for
their detail of Greek history and legend, the composition of story, and the
development of themes.
18.
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. This Spanish novel, originally published as two books,
is one of the most influential and popular novels in the world. It's also
considered to be one of the best books ever written. The adventure, symbolism,
and characterization contained in Don Quixote has promoted the
book to the incredible popularity it has today. Don Quixote became one of the
earliest canonical texts and has been inspiring artists of all kinds for
hundreds of years.
19.
In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust. Daunting
in length, the seven-volume In Search of Lost Time is one of
the most prominent modern works of the early 20th century. The novel explores
themes of memory, childhood, and meaning, but it avoids the plot-driven model
of 19th-century novels. The supporting cast are incredibly well drawn and the
events are moved forward by the differing perspectives that experience them,
writing techniques that have been emulated endlessly since the novel's
publication.
20.
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. Flaubert's
story of a woman who engages in adulterous affairs in an attempt to escape from
a loveless marriage was subjected to heavy censorship at the time it was
published, and Flaubert was taken to trial over the novel. After his
acquittal, Madame Bovary became renowned as a masterpiece of
the Realism movement.
21.
Arabian
Nights translated
by Andrew Lang. This English language version
of One Thousand and One Nights retells the ancient stories
that have now become popularized around the world, including the plight of
Scheherazade, the adventures of Aladdin, and the voyages of Sinbad.
22.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel GarcÃa Márquez. Considered to be one of the most significant novels in
the Spanish literary canon, One Hundred Years of Solitude tells
the story of the BuendÃa family over several generations. The style and themes
in the novel are seen to be representative of a unique Latin American literary
movement of the 1960s: Magical Realism.
23.
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. Though
Tolstoy was hesitant to call this a novel, War and Peace is
often included in the discussion of the best novels of all time. Chronicling
the French invasion of Russia in 1812, the book looks at the psychological
effects of the war and the philosophical discussions that it created.
24.
The Tale of
Genji by
Murasaki Shikibu. Written in the beginning of
the 11th century, The Tale of Genji is often called the first
novel. While it does not have a plot by definition, the story does have many
elements of a modern novel, including a main character, a supporting cast, and
characterization. Translation of this novel has proved difficult over time, but
most still consider it the first and greatest work in Japanese literature.
25.
Uncle Tom's
Cabin by
Harriett Beecher Stowe. Written
by a middle aged, white woman in 1851, Uncle Tom's Cabin has
been credited for changing the views of slavery in the north and continues to
serve as a reminder of the effects of slavery and other inhumane acts.
26.
Crime and
Punishment by
Fyodor Dostoyevsky. While Fyodor Dostoyevsky has
written several works that could be considered some of the most influential
ever published, Crime and Punishment is one that stands above
the rest as one of the best books ever written. This novel explores the mind of
an individualistic person from within, challenging the rules of crime and
punishment as they apply to the main character and the people around him.
27.
Things Fall Apart by
Chinua Achebe. The theme of preserving
cultural history in the face of Western domination in this novel gave voice to
the oppressed people in Africa and caught the attention of the world. This
novel, written in 1958, is still widely read and studied as an example of the
damage of colonialism.
28.
Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Faust is a tragic play, but it has long
been considered the single greatest work in German literature. The tale tells
of Faust selling his soul to the devil for worldly knowledge and pleasures. The
influence this story has on art, literature, music, and thought is
immeasurable.
29.
Beloved by
Toni Morrison. Written to honor the memory of
African American slaves brought over during the slave trade, Toni
Morrison's Beloved is one of the most recognizable and
influential texts in modern literature. For giving voice to the
African-American experience and observing and recording the collective memory
of the population, Morrison's novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988.
30.
The Lord of the Rings by
J.R.R. Tolkien. Not only is The Lord
of the Ringsone of the best-selling novels in the world, it also helped
form and shape the high fantasy genre. While many of the themes from the story
were adapted from earlier mythologies, The Lord of the Rings itself
became the foundational text for all fantasy readers and authors.
Society
These are the most influential books
in terms of impacting society, texts that helped changed people's views on
racism, feminism, consumption, and language.
31.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. This
landmark book is built from the actual diary kept by Anne Frank, the young
daughter of a Jewish family hiding during the Nazi takeover in the Netherlands.
The innocence of this young girl so full of hopes and dreams is held in sharp
contrast to the reality of her situation at the hands of the Nazis. This book
has become a strong symbol and reminder of the impact of racial persecution.
32.
The Vindication of the Rights of
Women by
Mary Wollstonecraft.Considered the first great treatise
on feminism, Wollstonecraft's text was written in response to those who felt
that women should not be educated. She argued that women are deserving of an
education that is proportionate to their position in society, that of educators
and companions. Wollstonecraft demonstrated that inequality is not only morally
and ethically wrong, but is also economically and socially irresponsible.
33.
The Second Sex by
Simone de Beauvoir. The Second Sex examines
why a woman's position in society is prohibitive and how it got to this point.
Establishing herself as a fundamental figure in feminist philosophy, de
Beauvoir was one of the first to explore gender as a social construct,
distinguishing between the terms "sex" and "gender."
34.
A Room of
One's Own by
Virginia Woolf. In A Room of One's Own,
an extended essay that Woolf delivered to two women's colleges, the differences
between male and female writers and how those differences are the result of the
limitations and restrictions imposed on females, is discussed. Without the
freedom, the education, or the financial rewards of male authors, females are
barred from creating a literary tradition of their own.
35.
Walden by Henry David Thoreau. Walden is the textual reflection of Thoreau's social
experiment of living isolated in a cabin next to Walden Pond in order to better
understand society. Thoreau wrote the results of his experience with
self-sufficiency and simplicity in Walden, which has subsequently
become a source of inspiration for those seeking a life removed from the
business of society.
36.
A Dictionary of the English Language by Samuel Johnson. Considered
the most influential dictionary of the English language, Johnson compiled this
book over seven years all by himself. Credited as the foundational text for the
study of the English language and lexicography, Johnson's dictionary was not
the first of its kind, but it was the most comprehensive and well-researched.
37.
Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant. Immanuel
Kant's Critique of Pure Reason is largely considered to be one
of the most influential philosophical texts of all time. Exploring human
knowledge and reason, their extents and limitations, and the perception of
space and time, Kant's text is one of the most important books to read for all
who are interested in philosophy.
38.
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. Even
though Upton Sinclair set out to write a novel about the lives of immigrants in
America in the early 20th century, The Jungle ended up gaining
popularity because it highlighted the unsanitary practices in the meatpacking
industry. By depicting countless health violations and stories of the unfair
treatment and pay of migrant workers, Sinclair was a major contributor to the
reformation of the meat inspection laws in America. Over time, he gained more
recognition for influencing standardized wages as well.
39.
Native Son by
Richard Wright. Often regarded as the father
of Black American Literature, Richard Wright wrote Native Son as
an attempt to demonstrate the harsh realities of being a black person in white
America. It was one of the earliest and most successful books to observe the
racial divide in the country from the perspective of the minority, and it
highlighted black culture in a way that had not been done before.
Science,
Math, and Geography
These works are some of the most
influential books because they began or at least represent the beginning of
entire movements and schools of thought in the fields of science, math, and
geography.
40.
Philosophae
Naturalis Principia Mathematica by Isaac Newton. Written
while Cambridge was closed because of the plague, Newton's Philosophae
Naturalis Principia Mathematica details the principles of gravity,
mechanics, calculus, and light and color. This book set the stage for modern
studies of both math and physics.
41.
The Meaning
of Relativity by
Albert Einstein. The Meaning of Relativity is
a collection of the Stafford Little Lectures made by Albert Einstein in 1921 at
Princeton University. Delivered five years after Einstein's groundbreaking
paper on general relativity was published, these lectures sum up the man's
work. While many of the ideas were presented in different forms prior to the
publication of this book, The Meaning of Relativity remains
one of the most important collections of ideas ever put together.
42.
On the Origin
of Species by
Charles Darwin. This work by Darwin laid out
the foundation for the theory of evolution. Since its publication, the book's
theories and observations have helped make life sciences what they are today.
Darwin's adaptation and evolutionary model still aid modern scientists as they
build a better understanding of all Earth's species, including our own.
43.
Silent Spring by
Rachel Carson. Carson wrote on the topic of
environmental justice in this book that inspired readers to think more
seriously about their relationship to the Earth. Silent Spring helped
the modern environmental movement get off the ground and led to the nationwide
ban on DDT.
44.
Geographia by Ptolemy. Ptolemy
wrote and mapped the world according to the knowledge he had available to him
in the 2nd century. His maps and methodologies were used for hundreds of years
afterward. Today's cartography is directly descended from Ptolemy's work.
45.
The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud. Freud
included the basics of his theories on psychoanalysis in this landmark work
that is still read and studied worldwide. In this work, Freud introduced the
concept of the unconscious and demonstrated how his theories are used to
interpret dreams. Freud's work popularized the science of psychology and helped
build the foundation on which modern psychological discourse now stands.
Religion
These religious texts are some of
the most influential books ever written, serving as spiritual and lifestyle
guides for countless people around the world. Some of these texts are thousands
of years old.
46.
The Bible. This sacred text brought
Christianity to the world and has continued to serve as a source of inspiration
for millions of people. It is the most translated and the most frequently
purchased book in the world.
47.
The Qur'an. The sacred text of Islam, the
Qur'an is believed to be the last word of God told to Muhammad through the
angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years. This book is the cornerstone of the
Islamic religion.
48.
The Torah. The written laws and teachings
that are contained in the Tanakh have offered a way of life for those of the
Jewish faith. The text provides teaching and methods of practice for daily
living and has influenced art and literature in countless ways.
49.
The Tibetan Book of the Dead. Perhaps the most well-known
Tibetan text, this book was written by a Tibetan monk and discusses what
happens during death, the time between death and rebirth, and rebirth.
50.
The Analects
by Confucius. The Analects is a collection of sayings
and ideas attributed to Confucius, a Chinese philosopher. The text has been
read and studied in China for the last 2,000 years and has had a monumental
impact on Chinese culture, values, art, and thought.
