Dark and depressing yet the best book I ever read. If you think we live in a free society, think twice, read this and compare. Then compare with Noam Chomsky writings. Open you eyes.

Two extreme models of the world are presented. Are we forced to choose one? Oh, wait, aren't we already going BOTH ways?

Don't let companies - and brands - take control over your life. You're the buyer, you can say no if you want.

So, the Devil was invented by Roman Catholics to act as a bogey man and crush us to submission? Now I'm waiting for a similar book called 'The God' but I'm sure Stanford won't be writing it.

So exactly what were the crusaders on about when they put it in their heads to go and take Jerusalem from the 'infidels'?

For adventure, magic and fun galore, you don't need to go much further than Harry Potter. If you think these books are for children you're boring, I don't want you reading my list. :-)

Funny, poignant, contentious, extremely well-written book about race, class, culture, religion. Reminds me of 'The Information' by Martin Amis - did Zadie do it on purpose?

Manx men, English snots, creationist weirdos, Aboriginal outcasts (halfcasts), colonial settlers. The best and funniest novel I've read in recent times.

If you're a retailer you'll learn how to make shoppers experiences easier and more pleasant. If you're a customer your shopping experiences will start feeling very far from ideal after you read this.

You don't have to travel Europe because Bryson will tell you everything you need to know. Sarcastic, cynic and often self-pitying, this is the funniest - and sometimes tragic - book I ever read.

The stories of very different lives whose fates meet one day. The stories are nothing short of genius but the 'meeting' is a huge disappointment, so skip the last chapter.