Re: Books that inspired you
 

Some claim that the Alvin Maker series was based off of the life of Joseph Smith but I find this connection to be very loose at the least. (yet more proof though of Orson's Mormonism in his writing as mentioned by Mr. Toast)

Re: Books that inspired you
 

I think I disagree. I can look at the Joseph Smith story and the Alvin Maker series. For example, both had extraordinary visions. For Alvin, it was the "vision" of the Shining Man (who turns out to be the Red Prophet). For Joseph, it was the vision of God the Father and His Son.

Both had traumatic leg damage that seemed to be miraculously healed. For Alvin, this was when the millstone fell on his leg, and for Joseph (I forget how it happened), it was when he had to have a large portion of his femur (I believe) cut out, which miraculously healed.

Both Alvin and Joseph were in possession of extraordinary objects that both claimed to have obtained through extraordinary means. Alvin had his Golden Plow that he transmuted from iron and brought to life in the forge, and Joseph had the Golden Plates entrusted to him by an angel.

Both stood trial many times for baseless accusations. Alvin that he was a witch, Joseph for many things, among which was inciting the Mormons into rebellion.

Both had older brothers whom they trusted completely. Alvin had Measure, Joseph had Hyrum.

And so on...

MrToast

Re: Books that inspired you
 

About the surgery:
Joseph Smith's leg operation came as the result of an infection that settled in his leg after a serious bout with typhus fever. The Smiths called for a surgeon, who made an eight-inch incision in the leg. Though the procedure gave Jospeh relief for a time, as the incision healed, the pain returned, more violent than before. Once again the surgeon was called and he repeated the same procedure with the same result. Finally a group of doctors were called together to examine Joseph, and amputation was recommended. Joseph's mother prevailed upon the doctors to try once more to correct the problem before giving over to amputating the leg. They ended up removing part of the bone from which Jospeh did heal though he would forever walk with a limp and often relied on a cane.

I guess you are not the only on that believes so Toast.. http://www.hatrack.com/research/stud...porschet.shtml

Re: Books that inspired you
 

Just read "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. About Afghanistan just before the Russian invasion and about friendship, betrayal and salvation. This book is going to stay with me for a long, long time. It is not a difficult read.
Jenny

Re: Books that inspired you
 

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse and On the Road by Kerouac

Re: Books that inspired you
 

I just read almost all of Tom Robbin's works in about a week.

Perhaps these book shave been mentioned already (haven't had time to read the whole thread), but I LOVE books by Tom Robbins. They are the funniest books about philosophy that I have ever read. Not only are they inspiring, but they have a sense of humor that I just LOVE.

My favorites (in order): Jitterbug Perfume, Another Roadside Attraction, Villa Incognito, Skinny Legs and All, and Half-Asleep in Frog Pajamas.

I highly reccomend them to ANYONE with a sense of humor and an interest in life. :)

Re: Books that inspired you
 

The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler. I am not going to say much about this book, but read the reviews. It's my handbook for living because it keeps me happy, focusssed and alive.

Re: Books that inspired you
 

Don't forget Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates and Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, from which I quote, "Like many Italic sentences, this one has Mafia connections." Tom Robbins is silly, but in a good way.

Finally got around to reading ZatAoMM, as so many suggested. What I took away from it is the idea that what you do is far less important than how you do it. It is quite simply a good story (made me want to buy a motorcycle), but the philosophical discussion interwoven within the cross-country motorcycle trek truly makes the book special.

Re: Books that inspired you
 

Let's see...
I've read so many! Some of the ones that had the most impact on me were

-Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand
-anything by Shakespeare
-Pretty Birds, by Scott Simon

...And I could go on and on
~Anna

Re: Books that inspired you
 

As with many of the really worthwhile books, reading ZatAoMM several times I took away more with each reading. Although I haven't read it since the mid-70's I think it's probably worth revisiting yet again.

Re: Books that inspired you
 

Oh, The Places You'll Go! - Dr. Seuss

and on the humorous side...

Wicked Spanish for the Traveler - Howard Tomb

which includes such important phrases as...
Yo no sabia que la tela metalica tenia tantos usos. [I never knew chicken wire had so many uses]
& Acaso huelo una enchilada vieja? [Do I smell an old enchilada?]

Re: Books that inspired you
 

My Sisters Keeper by Judy Picolt

This book is amazing...its not like a chick flick book...so like everyone can read it. This book left me crying though because of the whole plot of the book etc.

Re: Books that inspired you
 

I don't know if these books are exactly life changing but I think David Eddings is worth mentioning...

The message of duty and serving humanity that he mentions in his books is something worth noting.

Another book that I really found to be helpful is The Catcher in the Rye

It really pulls me out of a slump to imagine that someone else's life is worse than mine. :)

Re: Books that inspired you
 

A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving. It is a funny and heartwarming tale that really touched my heart. It was just really fun to read and it taught me so much about life.

Re: Books that inspired you
 

I'm currently making my way through The Lord Of the Rings series. The books have not exactly changed my life but I love LOTR, the books (so far) and the movies.

A couple years ago I read many books by Tamora Pierce. They were really, really good books and they're basically about women back in the Medieval (sort of) ages who could do anything. Yes they were fiction but the fact of a woman who became a knight is a nice thought. I've always wondered why women can't be knighted by the queen...hmm...