This is topic If you were to be marooned on an uninhabited island and could take 3 books, in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.
Your friend, who is also to be marooned on this island, is taking along the texts relevant to your religion, so there's no need to choose those.
Posted by cmc (Member # 9549) on :
Oh the Places You'll Go...
The Farmer's Almanac...
A blank journal, with an everlasting pen...
Posted by aragorn64 (Member # 4204) on :
I would take a survival book. For the other two I would just take the very biggest books I could possibly find.
I could very well use the paper (hey, every resource counts on a deserted island, right?) and the survival book might come in handy as well.
My first priority would be surviving, which is why I would choose those three.
(Yes, I know, I'm such a party pooper.)
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
If by uninhabited you mean no people, then:
Encyclopedia of poisonous faura and fauna, right off the bat.
A Survival Handbook.
The Lord of the Rings complete trilogy in one book. I mean, lots of paper can help with survival.
If you by uninhabited you mean no wildlife, then I want to bring a Vegan Cookbook, a Survival Handbook, and still the LotR trilogy.
Posted by Mr.Funny (Member # 4467) on :
I'd bring some sort of survival handbook, a manual for rudimentary ship construction, and a book on elementary naval navigation.
Or Creating Teleportation Devices 101.
Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
Okay folks, you're missing the point of the game with the survival books.
Let's assume that your friend can show you everything you need to know about living comfortably on the island.
Posted by RunningBear (Member # 8477) on :
The Complete Works Of Robert Heinlein.
Joy Of Cooking: Old, Not New Edition
The Baroque Cycle.
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
The Neverending Story
House of Leaves
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
Lord of the Rings
Dostoyevsky's The Idiot
Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov.
I'd be really tempted, though, to take Mark's Handbook for Mechanical Engineers, or something huge and encyclopedic like that. They have current Wikipedia on dvd, would that count?
Posted by Liz B (Member # 8238) on :
Lord of the Rings
The Complete Works of Jane Austen (if that's cheating, then Pride and Prejudice)
My Norton Introduction to Literature, which includes the Intros to short fiction, drama, and poetry. If that's cheating, then the Intro to Poetry. But I'd memorize "Terence, This Is Stupid Stuff" before leaving for the island, since that poem is foolishly not included in that otherwise wonderful anthology. Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
Oh Liz! Are you a Housman fan too? I hate it that I left Housman behind. He's so good! I might have to smuggle The Complete Works in somehow. Maybe I'll just memorize it before I go. It's not that long, and I've got a good start already.
Oh, when I was in love with you Then I was clean and brave And miles around the wonder grew How well did I behave.
And now the fancy passes by And nothing will remain And miles around they'll say that I Am quite myself again.
<3 <3 <3 Housman!
Posted by Liz B (Member # 8238) on :
I adore Housman. Lately I've been loving Elizabeth Bishop, too, particularly the brilliant "One Art."
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
I would take three blank books full of paper, assuming I'm also permitted a few pencils.
Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
Cryptonomicon, The Chronicles of Amber, The Man who was Thursday
edit: Hogfather, and More than Complete Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy are honorable mentions and might make it in, some days, by virtue of being significantly longer than Thursday Posted by Will B (Member # 7931) on :
Building Your Perfect Raft without Tools How to Find a Date in an Uninhabited Area
OK, more in keeping with the intention of the q:
My own self-help book. Democracy in America. I haven't read it, and it would take a while. The Complete Works of Somebody Who Wrote a Lot. Maybe Shakespeare.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Les Miserables, Hugo (in French so I could savor it longer)
Ficciones, Jorge Luis Borges
The Chronicles of Narnia Posted by Flaming Toad on a Stick (Member # 9302) on :
Maps in a Mirror-Orson Scott Card. The complete works of William Shakespeare. A diary for myself.
Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :
Piano Tuning and Maintenance The Psychology of Child Rearing Computer Programming Fundamentals: (Java AND C++)
Posted by Rakeesh (Member # 2001) on :
No survival books, gotcha.
A book on basic radio technology, most especially How-To! Posted by SoaPiNuReYe (Member # 9144) on :
Encyclopedia volumes X Y & Z
Posted by Maliam (Member # 9915) on :
Enders War(or what ever the title is for the book that has Enders Game and Speaker in one book)
The Black Jewel Trilogy: Anne Bishop (in one book)
and
A notebook computer with satlite linkup(guess that would be considered cheating but hey its a book) or something I've never read before that seems to be really good and long.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Democracy in America. I haven't read it, and it would take a while.
As I find most of De Tocqueville, it's good reading. I think you'll enjoy it.
I'd probably bring The Lord of the Rings, I, Jedi, and maybe Les Miserables.
It's hard to say though. Why am I only allowed three books? I can carry more than three.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
quote:It's hard to say though. Why am I only allowed three books? I can carry more than three.
Because it's an international flight with new security restrictions. Each of your books can only be 3.7 ounces and they have to all fit inside a large plastic zip-loc inside your caryy-on luggage.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
The Professor's guide to making Radios from Coconuts with a forward by Gilligan and a centerfold--er--applications photograph featuring Mary Ann.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Given no survival books and no religious texts, I'd choose
Elizabeth Moon's The Deed of Paksenarrion Voltaire's Candide Quine's Mathematical Logic
Although I'd also love some blank paper and a basic medical text.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:Your friend, who is also to be marooned on this island, is taking along the texts relevant to your religion, so there's no need to choose those.
It's important enough for me that I don't know if I'd be willing to trust that my friend followed through.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Hmmm. Maybe there could be an oddly beneficent and religious multi-millionaire who has devoted much of his inheritance to donating religious texts for people marooned on islands? Perhaps you could visit the island in advance to assure yourself that the texts are intact, and then you could send off for the three texts of greater frivolity.
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
Whatever three texts will last longest as a supply of toilet paper.
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
Actually, I take it back. I'd take the book that links to Myst and I'd also carry a couple of anchor books for Dunny.
Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tatiana:
I'd be really tempted, though, to take Mark's Handbook for Mechanical Engineers, or something huge and encyclopedic like that. They have current Wikipedia on dvd, would that count?
Ok. There's a computer on the island, with no internet access.
quote:Originally posted by Annie:
quote:It's hard to say though. Why am I only allowed three books? I can carry more than three.
Because it's an international flight with new security restrictions. Each of your books can only be 3.7 ounces and they have to all fit inside a large plastic zip-loc inside your caryy-on luggage.
Um, yeah. For that reason. Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
No survival manuals. No religious texts.
Hmmm.
Assuming my survivalist, pastoral-type friend is also my romantic interest , then I can leave Diana Gabaldon at home, and instead take . . .
The Gate to Women's Country , Sheri S. Tepper Lonesome Dove , Larry McMurtry Father Joe, The Man Who Saved My Soul , Tona Hendra
Can I take large ziplock bags to keep 'em dry in?
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
If there's a computer, can't I bring a big jumpdrive with a bunch of ebooks and some games maybe?
Posted by steven (Member # 8099) on :
The final book of the Alvin Maker series, if it ever gets written.
Diane Duane--So You Want to Be a Wizard.
Typee, obviously.
Posted by Raventhief (Member # 9002) on :
The Greatwinter Trilogy by Sean McMullen The Complete Works of Robert Heinlein and The Ultimate Hitchhikers' Guide.
Posted by Counter Bean (Member # 10176) on :
Penthouse Letters Anthology 600 Hustler Ceterfolds Original DM Guide
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy (the real one, not the novel written by Adams) The Index of the Oversoul
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
Great idea, mph! I didn't think of fictional books! I totally want Nell's primer, the advanced version that's fully AI enabled.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Oh, if we can have fictional books I want the Red Book of the Westmarch, fully updated.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
The Lord of the Rings - in one volume, of course.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, also in one volume.
An Anthology of Poetry. Not sure which one, just something that would include selections from some of my favorites plus some poets I've never read before.
Posted by anti_maven (Member # 9789) on :
I should take the Lord of the Rings (one volume with all appendices)
The complete works of Chaucer, in oirginal Middle English - I think it would take me a good few years just to read on Tale...
And the Deathworld Trilogy by Harry Harrison. Deathworld III was the second ever SF book I read...
Assuming that the island already had copies of Das Kapital, Mein Kampf, the Bible, the Koran, an appropriate selection of Jewish texts (not sure which), the SAS survival guide and a selection of Ray Mears publications...
For those who grew up in the UK and listened to Desert Island Discs on BBC Radio 4 you will recognise the format: They allowed you 10 favourite "discs", vinyl of course, 45 by preference. You also received the complete works of Shakespeare, the Bible and were permitted one luxury item.
My luxury item would be a suuply of Fuller's London Pride bitter. Nothing better to toast a hard day of log house building than a cool pint on the beach...
Posted by Dr Strangelove (Member # 8331) on :
The Mysterious Island - Jules Verne
An Anthology of Poetry
The Complete Works of Shakespeare (including Sonnets)
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mr.Funny: I'd bring some sort of survival handbook, a manual for rudimentary ship construction, and a book on elementary naval navigation.
Or Creating Teleportation Devices 101.
Would that be Creating Teleportation Devices from Bamboo and Coconuts 101 by T. Professor?
I think a copy of How to keep your dry-clean-only wardrobe in tropical conditions is also a must.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
I'd take the complete and unabridged A Song of Ice and Fire (actually, I'd probably be willing to go and live on a deserted island for a period of years in exchange for said volume). I'm paralyzed with indecision as to what the other two books would be, but that one's a given.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
quote:An Anthology of Poetry. Not sure which one, just something that would include selections from some of my favorites plus some poets I've never read before.
quote:I'd take the complete and unabridged A Song of Ice and Fire (actually, I'd probably be willing to go and live on a deserted island for a period of years in exchange for said volume). I'm paralyzed with indecision as to what the other two books would be, but that one's a given.
I am so in support of this you have no idea! I would hop on a boat, demand the books in exchange for passage off the island, and then we all win!
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Just give me a couple of weeks to read it cover to cover and I'll gladly loan it to you for passage off the island.
Posted by camus (Member # 8052) on :
Actually I don't think I'd want a book with me. I think I would have a hard enough time surviving that I wouldn't want something with me that could potentially distract me for large portions of the day. I can imagine saying to myself that I'll shoot the flare off to signal the ship as soon as I get to a good stopping point in the book.
Although, if I had to take some books with me, one that comes to mind is The Count of Monte Cristo for several reasons, one of which would be that it might help me to find motivation to survive in case I start giving up hope, even if that motivation is based on hatred and revenge.
Posted by TrapperKeeper (Member # 7680) on :
A survivalist book
The complete set of the encyclopedia britanica (The pages would help me start fires easier)
Another Complete set of the encyclopedia Britanica, for use after I burn the pages of the first one.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
The real question is, what three types of sandwich would you bring with you (packed in nullentropy bins, of course, to preserve freshness).
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Sandwich? Can I have three?
----
Croimminy crocks, you'd think I could read the question before I started nattering off.
Classic Cuban sandwich Memphis barbeque topped with cole slaw Toasted gouda cheese with fresh tomato slices
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Oooh. Now that's a question.
I'll have to go with 1) fresh mozerella, tomato, basil with balsamic vinaigrette 2) rosemary chicken with provolone 3) French dip
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Annie is elegant.
Posted by Liz B (Member # 8238) on :
I like *Good Poems* but I wouldn't take it...not long enough.
GRILLED CHEESE from my favorite diner portabello mushroom with arugula and brie on ciabatta a really, really good hamburger
Posted by JenniK (Member # 3939) on :
I would have to say either the complete works of Jane Austin, or if not found in a single book version - Pride and Prejudice as it is my all time favorite book. The LOTR trilogy in 1 book (which I gave Kwea for Christmas one year [beautifully leather-bound and all]), and something from Laurell K. Hamilton to spice things up a bit while I'm stuck on said island. Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
I suddenly realized that we are experiencing a dearth of Noemonic sandwichosity.
*fisheye
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
I'd want three books I'd never read. If I ended up on a desert island and the only books available were books I'd already read, I'd be bumbed. But the problem with books I've never read is that I can't yet be certain whether they would be any good.
That considered, I think that I'd like to have my complete works of Shakespeare along. There are still numerous plays and sonnets I've never read and the ones that I have read can stand rereading numerous times.
I've noticed that quite a few people at Hatrack (an IRL) enjoy reading certain books over and over again. I don't. It seems a pity to reread a book when there are so many I've never read. I can think of a few exceptions, generally classics that I read 20 - 30 years ago. Reading them now from a different life perspective is worthwhile.
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No religious texts. ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
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