Kevin Kelly's Long Now Reading List

1.
How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading
How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading 3.98 avg rating — 27,065 ratings
2.
The Memory Book: The Classic Guide to Improving Your Memory at Work, at School, and at Play
The Memory Book: The Classic Guide to Improving Your Memory at Work, at School, and at Play 3.97 avg rating — 2,678 ratings
3.
Practical Bamboos: The 50 Best Plants for Screens, Containers and More
Practical Bamboos: The 50 Best Plants for Screens, Containers and More 3.89 avg rating — 19 ratings
3.
Language Acquisition Made Practical : A Comprehensive "How-to" Book for Learning Any Language
Language Acquisition Made Practical : A Comprehensive "How-to" Book for Learning Any Language 4.06 avg rating — 31 ratings
5.
Caveman Chemistry: 28 Projects, from the Creation of Fire to the Production of Plastics
Caveman Chemistry: 28 Projects, from the Creation of Fire to the Production of Plastics 4.14 avg rating — 98 ratings
6.
The Soundscape: Our Environment and the Tuning of the World
The Soundscape: Our Environment and the Tuning of the World 4.11 avg rating — 767 ratings
7.
The Backyard Blacksmith: Traditional Techniques for the Modern Smith
The Backyard Blacksmith: Traditional Techniques for the Modern Smith 4.21 avg rating — 364 ratings
8.
A Museum of Early American Tools
A Museum of Early American Tools 4.40 avg rating — 286 ratings
9.
Civilizations: Ten Thousand Years of Ancient History
Civilizations: Ten Thousand Years of Ancient History 3.84 avg rating — 19 ratings
10.
Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources
Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources 4.58 avg rating — 494 ratings
11.
Mirror Worlds: or the Day Software Puts the Universe in a Shoebox...How It Will Happen and What It Will Mean
Mirror Worlds: or the Day Software Puts the Universe in a Shoebox...How It Will Happen and What It Will Mean 3.82 avg rating — 111 ratings
12.
Systemantics: The Underground Text of Systems Lore
Systemantics: The Underground Text of Systems Lore
by: John Gall
3.99 avg rating — 1,005 ratings
13.
Libraries in the Ancient World
Libraries in the Ancient World 3.76 avg rating — 809 ratings
14.
The Structure of Evolutionary Theory
The Structure of Evolutionary Theory 4.05 avg rating — 1,308 ratings
15.
The Past from Above
The Past from Above really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating
16.
Grand Design, the earth from above
Grand Design, the earth from above 3.33 avg rating — 3 ratings
17.
Infinite Worlds: The Fantastic Visions of Science Fiction Art
Infinite Worlds: The Fantastic Visions of Science Fiction Art 4.37 avg rating — 97 ratings
18.
Five Kingdoms: An Illustrated Guide to the Phyla of Life on Earth
Five Kingdoms: An Illustrated Guide to the Phyla of Life on Earth 4.23 avg rating — 73 ratings
19.
A Synoptic Classification of Living Organisms,
A Synoptic Classification of Living Organisms, it was ok 2.00 avg rating — 1 rating
20.
The Ultimate Resource 2
The Ultimate Resource 2 4.43 avg rating — 123 ratings
21.
Biospheres: Metamorphosis of Planet Earth
Biospheres: Metamorphosis of Planet Earth 4.18 avg rating — 11 ratings
22.
Biosphere 2: The Human Experiment
Biosphere 2: The Human Experiment 3.83 avg rating — 23 ratings
23.
Limited Wants, Unlimited Means: A Reader On Hunter-Gatherer Economics And The Environment
Limited Wants, Unlimited Means: A Reader On Hunter-Gatherer Economics And The Environment 4.02 avg rating — 42 ratings
24.
Handbook of Unusual Natural Phenomena
Handbook of Unusual Natural Phenomena 4.16 avg rating — 45 ratings
25.
Ancient Man: A Handbook of Puzzling Artifacts
Ancient Man: A Handbook of Puzzling Artifacts 4.32 avg rating — 25 ratings
26.
Science Frontiers: Some Anomalies and Curiosities of Nature
Science Frontiers: Some Anomalies and Curiosities of Nature 4.47 avg rating — 19 ratings
27.
Ancient Infrastructure: Remarkable Roads, Mines, Walls, Mounds, Stone Circles
Ancient Infrastructure: Remarkable Roads, Mines, Walls, Mounds, Stone Circles 4.80 avg rating — 10 ratings
28.
Ancient Structures: Remarkable Pyramids, Forts, Towers, Stone Chambers, Cities, Complexes (Catalog of Archeological Anomalies)
Ancient Structures: Remarkable Pyramids, Forts, Towers, Stone Chambers, Cities, Complexes (Catalog of Archeological Anomalies) 4.75 avg rating — 8 ratings
29.
Mysterious Universe: A Handbook of Astronomical Anomalies
Mysterious Universe: A Handbook of Astronomical Anomalies 4.38 avg rating — 8 ratings
30.
Rare Halos, Mirages, Anomalous Rainbows, and Related Electromagnetic Phenomena: A Catalog of Geophysical Anomalies
Rare Halos, Mirages, Anomalous Rainbows, and Related Electromagnetic Phenomena: A Catalog of Geophysical Anomalies 4.67 avg rating — 9 ratings
31.
Archaeological Anomalies: Small Artifacts : Bone, Stone, Metal Artifacts, Footprints, High Technology
Archaeological Anomalies: Small Artifacts : Bone, Stone, Metal Artifacts, Footprints, High Technology 4.25 avg rating — 8 ratings
32.
Remarkable Luminous Phenomena in Nature: A Catalog of Geophysical Anomalies
Remarkable Luminous Phenomena in Nature: A Catalog of Geophysical Anomalies 4.67 avg rating — 9 ratings
33.
Incredible Life: A Handbook of Biological Mysteries
Incredible Life: A Handbook of Biological Mysteries 4.64 avg rating — 14 ratings
34.
The Unexplained : A Sourcebook of Strange Phenomena
The Unexplained : A Sourcebook of Strange Phenomena 3.88 avg rating — 8 ratings
35.
The Moon and the Planets: A Catalog of Astronomical Anomalies
The Moon and the Planets: A Catalog of Astronomical Anomalies 4.62 avg rating — 8 ratings
36.
Tornadoes, Dark Days, Anomalous Precipitation, and Related Weather Phenomena
Tornadoes, Dark Days, Anomalous Precipitation, and Related Weather Phenomena 4.12 avg rating — 8 ratings
37.
Dowsing: A Journey Beyond Our Five Senses (Wooden Books)
Dowsing: A Journey Beyond Our Five Senses (Wooden Books) 3.84 avg rating — 49 ratings
38.
The Stars: A New Way to See Them
The Stars: A New Way to See Them
by: H.A. Rey
4.48 avg rating — 1,021 ratings
39.
The Millennial Project: Colonizing the Galaxy in Eight Easy Steps
The Millennial Project: Colonizing the Galaxy in Eight Easy Steps 4.24 avg rating — 204 ratings
40.
Powers of Ten (Scientific American Library Series #1)
Powers of Ten (Scientific American Library Series #1) 4.33 avg rating — 251 ratings
41.
Mathematics From The Birth Of Numbers
Mathematics From The Birth Of Numbers 4.19 avg rating — 592 ratings
42.
Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions
Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions 3.81 avg rating — 75,635 ratings
43.
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions 4.03 avg rating — 29,126 ratings
44.
RE/Search #11: Pranks!
RE/Search #11: Pranks!
by: V. Vale
4.29 avg rating — 649 ratings
45.
The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation
The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation 3.90 avg rating — 857 ratings
46.
The Discoverers: A History of Man's Search to Know His World and Himself
The Discoverers: A History of Man's Search to Know His World and Himself 4.11 avg rating — 11,776 ratings
47.
Civilizations of the World: The Human Adventure
Civilizations of the World: The Human Adventure 3.25 avg rating — 4 ratings
48.
The Heritage of World Civilizations: Combined Volume (9th Edition)
The Heritage of World Civilizations: Combined Volume (9th Edition) 3.54 avg rating — 81 ratings
49.
Atlas of the Year 1000
Atlas of the Year 1000
by: John Man
3.91 avg rating — 53 ratings
50.
The Cartoon History of the Modern World Part 1: From Columbus to the U.S. Constitution (The Cartoon History of the Modern World, #1)
The Cartoon History of the Modern World Part 1: From Columbus to the U.S. Constitution (The Cartoon History of the Modern World, #1) 4.20 avg rating — 1,131 ratings
51.
The Cartoon History of the Modern World Part 2: From the Bastille to Baghdad (The Cartoon History of the Modern World, #2)
The Cartoon History of the Modern World Part 2: From the Bastille to Baghdad (The Cartoon History of the Modern World, #2) 4.32 avg rating — 714 ratings
52.
Third Views, Second Sights: A Rephotographic Survey of the American West
Third Views, Second Sights: A Rephotographic Survey of the American West 4.69 avg rating — 16 ratings
53.
Secret Museum of Mankind
Secret Museum of Mankind 4.12 avg rating — 25 ratings
54.
History of Technology and Invention: The Origins of Technical Civilizations to 1450 v. 1
History of Technology and Invention: The Origins of Technical Civilizations to 1450 v. 1
by: Daumas
it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating
55.
A history of technology and invention : progress through the ages. vol. 2, The first stages of mechanization 1450-1725
A history of technology and invention : progress through the ages. vol. 2, The first stages of mechanization 1450-1725 4.57 avg rating — 7 ratings
56.
Future Shock
Future Shock 3.82 avg rating — 5,191 ratings
57.
The Year 2000: A Framework for Speculation on the Next Thirty-Three Years,
The Year 2000: A Framework for Speculation on the Next Thirty-Three Years, 3.63 avg rating — 19 ratings
58.
Today Then: America's Best Minds Look 100 Years into the Future on the Occasion of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition
Today Then: America's Best Minds Look 100 Years into the Future on the Occasion of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition 3.50 avg rating — 6 ratings
59.
Yesterday's Tomorrows: Past Visions of the American Future
Yesterday's Tomorrows: Past Visions of the American Future 4.07 avg rating — 87 ratings
60.
Future Perfect: Vintage Futuristic Graphics (Icons Series)
Future Perfect: Vintage Futuristic Graphics (Icons Series) 4.09 avg rating — 23 ratings
61.
The Wonderful Future That Never Was: Flying Cars, Mail Delivery by Parachute, and Other Predictions from the Past
The Wonderful Future That Never Was: Flying Cars, Mail Delivery by Parachute, and Other Predictions from the Past 3.44 avg rating — 257 ratings
62.
The People's Almanac Presents The Book of Predictions
The People's Almanac Presents The Book of Predictions 3.86 avg rating — 49 ratings
63.
Century's end: An orientation manual for the year 2000
Century's end: An orientation manual for the year 2000 3.44 avg rating — 9 ratings
64.
The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction
The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction 4.35 avg rating — 605 ratings
65.
The Faber Book of Utopias
The Faber Book of Utopias 3.97 avg rating — 144 ratings
66.
The Selfish Gene
The Selfish Gene 4.16 avg rating — 189,068 ratings
67.
The Story of Writing
The Story of Writing 3.86 avg rating — 367 ratings
68.
Writing Systems of the World: Alphabets, Syllabaries, Pictograms
Writing Systems of the World: Alphabets, Syllabaries, Pictograms 3.87 avg rating — 62 ratings
69.
Traditional Crafts of Persia
Traditional Crafts of Persia 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings
70.
The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Volume 1
The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Volume 1
by: Jim Hamm
4.46 avg rating — 327 ratings
71.
The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Volume 2
The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Volume 2
by: Jim Hamm
4.45 avg rating — 158 ratings
72.
The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Volume 3
The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Volume 3
by: Jim Hamm
4.40 avg rating — 127 ratings
73.
American Flintknappers: Stone Age Art in the Age of Computers
American Flintknappers: Stone Age Art in the Age of Computers 4.50 avg rating — 10 ratings
74.
A Short History of Technology: From the Earliest Times to A.D. 1900
A Short History of Technology: From the Earliest Times to A.D. 1900 3.80 avg rating — 41 ratings
75.
The Foraging Spectrum: Diversity in Hunter-Gatherer Lifeways
The Foraging Spectrum: Diversity in Hunter-Gatherer Lifeways 3.94 avg rating — 54 ratings
76.
The Universe Story: From the Primordial Flaring Forth to the Ecozoic Era--A Celebration of the Unfolding of the Cosmos
The Universe Story: From the Primordial Flaring Forth to the Ecozoic Era--A Celebration of the Unfolding of the Cosmos 4.27 avg rating — 250 ratings
77.
Why Things Bite Back: Technology and the Revenge of Unintended Consequences
Why Things Bite Back: Technology and the Revenge of Unintended Consequences 3.55 avg rating — 421 ratings
78.
Wheels, Clocks, and Rockets: A History of Technology (Norton History of Science)
Wheels, Clocks, and Rockets: A History of Technology (Norton History of Science) 3.71 avg rating — 41 ratings
79.
The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments
The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments 4.33 avg rating — 67 ratings
80.
Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture
Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture 4.14 avg rating — 157 ratings
81.
How to make a miniature zoo (Teale books)
How to make a miniature zoo (Teale books) 4.33 avg rating — 9 ratings
82.
40 Principles: TRIZ Keys to Innovation [Extended Edition]
40 Principles: TRIZ Keys to Innovation [Extended Edition] 4.05 avg rating — 42 ratings
83.
Manual of Formulas
Manual of Formulas liked it 3.00 avg rating — 4 ratings
84.
The Boy Electrician
The Boy Electrician 4.36 avg rating — 11 ratings
85.
The Complete Illustrated Guide to Everything Sold in Hardware Stores
The Complete Illustrated Guide to Everything Sold in Hardware Stores 3.93 avg rating — 28 ratings
86.
Atlas of Human Anatomy
Atlas of Human Anatomy 4.51 avg rating — 3,782 ratings
87.
The New Lifetime Reading Plan: The Classic Guide to World Literature
The New Lifetime Reading Plan: The Classic Guide to World Literature 3.95 avg rating — 937 ratings
88.
Infrastructure: The Book of Everything for the Industrial Landscape
Infrastructure: The Book of Everything for the Industrial Landscape 4.47 avg rating — 381 ratings
89.
We Came in Peace for All Mankind: The Untold Story of the Apollo 11 Silicon Disc
We Came in Peace for All Mankind: The Untold Story of the Apollo 11 Silicon Disc 4.75 avg rating — 4 ratings
90.
Letter Fountain: On Printing Types
Letter Fountain: On Printing Types 4.53 avg rating — 70 ratings
91.
Your Memory : How It Works and How to Improve It
Your Memory : How It Works and How to Improve It 3.95 avg rating — 983 ratings
92.
The Lost Art of Towel Origami
The Lost Art of Towel Origami 3.78 avg rating — 69 ratings
93.
The Lore of Still Building
The Lore of Still Building 3.59 avg rating — 22 ratings
94.
The Ashley Book of Knots
The Ashley Book of Knots 4.63 avg rating — 603 ratings
95.
Country Wisdom & Know-How
Country Wisdom & Know-How 4.34 avg rating — 981 ratings
96.
Materials
Materials 4.26 avg rating — 76 ratings
97.
Basic Butchering of Livestock & Game: Beef, Veal, Pork, Lamb, Poultry, Rabbit, Venison
Basic Butchering of Livestock & Game: Beef, Veal, Pork, Lamb, Poultry, Rabbit, Venison 4.14 avg rating — 361 ratings
98.
The Art and Craft of Natural Dyeing: Traditional Recipes for Modern Use
The Art and Craft of Natural Dyeing: Traditional Recipes for Modern Use 4.18 avg rating — 76 ratings
99.
Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage of Fruits & Vegetables
Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage of Fruits & Vegetables 4.11 avg rating — 1,762 ratings
100.
Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens: Care / Feeding / Facilities
Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens: Care / Feeding / Facilities 4.29 avg rating — 1,757 ratings