If hindsight is 20/20 I would like to add a book that came to notice in 2008 that was first published in 2003. "Out Stealing Horses" is a book that belongs on your shelf next to "The English Patient", "As I Lay Dying", "Remains of the Day", "Midnight's Children", "All the Pretty Horses" and all the books whose words marinate with the mix of poetry and senses to the simple art form of "a good story well told." No more can be said; it is an experience. Written by Norwegian author Per Peterson it is a book in which you bathe.
While commenting on hindsight, wouldn't it be interesting to go back to the beginning of Time's "Person of the Year" and award the selection by year with the advantage of historical perspective. Time did not like the idea as I am sure it would devalue their official choices but it a committee of historians (Doris Kearns Goodwin), scientists (mathematics, astronomy, physics), physicians, artists, musicians, film folk (Speilberg), techies, fashionistas, etc. making their list and checking it twice would produce some fascinating results. I cannot think of a better publication to sponsor this enterprise than The Daily Beast!

To revisit Time's "Person of the Year" is a great idea.

"A Peace to End All Peace" is a very good book that was published in 1989. It was available in paperback in time for the first Gulf War, and wasn't widely enough read at that time either.

"A Peace to End All Peace" was originally published in 1989, not 2001, as your reviewer suggested. The current paperback edition available from Holt was published in 2001.

This was a great idea, thanks TDB. I actually went out and bought five of the books recommended. Kudos, TDB!

Thank you Tina. I plan to read all of your picks. I would also like to see your picks for top 10 to 20 books of all time/books that made a difference to you, (a la Oprah magazine's "Bookshelf" column).

Disappointing, banal - and worn out - list, except for Price. Larsson? Are you sure?

I have found Laura Bennett's contributions here at TDB as drab and empty as her fashions. Would she also recommend that one only read the second half of a book? What a bore.

Michael Korda hit the nail on the head. Wonderful list. I've meant to read TE Lawrence book and will start it this week. The Scoop has also been on my list. As for Meacham, I'm halfway through his book on Jackson and it's riveting.

Thanks, Mark McKinnon for mentioning Larsson. The Girl is one of the more interesting and well written mysteries in a long time. A punk hacker with Asperger's doesn't sound very engaging but he turned her into an unforgettable character.

TDB's list is useful those of us who are trendoid, superficial, pseudo-intellectuals. There who will criticize this selection for various reasons but this list is far better than Amazons suggests when I buy books from them. Thank you, DAILY BEAST,
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