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1916: A Novel of the Irish Rebellion by Morgan Llywelyn paperback: $6.99 ISBN: 0812574923

When I visited Dublin in January, 2003, I spent time in the General Post Office. There, they have a series of paintings on the walls that depict the Easter Rising of 1916. When I got home I realized that I didn't fully understand what had happened then, and what had led to it, so I got this book and I educated myself. Morgan Llywelyn is a wonderful novelist. She places fictional characters into real events and tells the history through their eyes. I had been in so many of the streets in Dublin where much of the events in this book took place. I had put my fingers in the bullet holes that still pock the stone of the GPO. That made it all the richer for me, but even if you've never spent time in Dublin's fair city, you will feel the terror and the passion of that time through this novel. They were hopelessly outnumbered, and they were crushed, but they won in the end and that's what makes this such a wonderfully human story, one that I think you'll enjoy. And I think you'll learn much from it, as I did. And there are two sequels to this novel. The next is 1921 and the last is 1949: A novel of the Free Irish State. All three are superb.

A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein hardcover: $12.57 ISBN: 0060256737

Wonderful poems. Read to your kids. Do it daily. Kids are more important than work.

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah hardcover: $12.10 ISBN: 0374105235

Ishmael Beah tells the story of the vicious boy soldiers of Sierra Leone, and how they came to be that way. He was one of them, and the things that he did will haunt your dreams. I think every civilized person needs to read this remarkable memoir, and to think.

A Poem a Day (Grades K-3) by Helen H. Moore paperback: $11.96 ISBN: 0590294334

See above. And don't forget to hug 'em!

A Separate Peace by John Knowles paperback: $8.00 ISBN: 0743253973

Required reading in High School, but much better when savored through the filter of years (I reread it at 53). Classic truths here, and bittersweet lessons in life.

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson hardcover: $18.70 ISBN: 0767908171

Bill Bryson, one of my favorite writers, was sitting around one day when he realized that he didn't know how they figured out how much our planet weighs. And then he began to think about all the other things that he didn't know. Being a middle-aged man, he figured it was time he found out, and he did. In this book he takes us on a grand tour through physics to chemistry to biology to geology to astronomy to ecology, and all with very little dumbing down. If you want to spend some quality time learning about the world and the universe, read this gem.

A Single Wave : Stories of Storms and Survival by Webb Chiles hardcover: $16.06 ISBN: 1574090720

This one is right up there with "The Long Walk" (which is further down the list). I picked this up and couldn't tear myself away from its pages. What a life this guy has had!

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. paperback: $6.50 ISBN: 0767902521

Bill Bryson is my all-time favorite travel writer. He’s the one writer that can instantly throw me into hysterical fits of laughter. This book is no exception. In this adventure, he takes off with his friend Katz (his companion on an earlier trip through Europe) in an attempt to walk the entire Appalachian Trail. Katz is an out-of-shape, middle-aged, slob, and Bryson doesn’t look much better at the start. His commentary on their adventures along the way is absolutely priceless. It will make you laugh with delight. It will teach you things you never knew about this country. And it will make you feel as if you had made the journey yourself. Don’t miss it.

A Widow for One Year by John Irving paperback: $11.96 ISBN: 0345424719

I've loved John Irving's writing since I discovered his novel "The World According to Garp" while I was taking an English course in night school. I think his latest novel, "A Widow for One Year," is simply perfect - one of the most satisfying books I've ever read. It's a book about grief, but it's also wildly entertaining. That's what John Irving is all about; he can make you laugh and cry at the same time. And the very last line in this novel sent a shiver up my spine and brought tears of joy to my eyes. Had he written one more word he would have ruined the mood. I tell you, this guy knows when to stop! He is, in my opinion, America's Charles Dickens - a brilliant storteller. Enjoy!

ABC of Architecture by James F. O'Gorman and Dennis E. McGrath paperback: $11.96 ISBN: 0812216318

This is a wonderful little primer that will give you a good sense of the elements of architecture. It's a non-technical discussion of the architectural triangle. The three sides of that triangle are function, structure, and beauty, which might sound boring as hell but trust me, it's not. I got a LOT of insight from this book, and I'll bet you will too. This is the sort of book that can give the heating professional an edge when going after those high-end jobs. The more you know, the better you look. Check it out.

Aftermath : The Remnants of War by Donovan Webster paperback: $12.60 ISBN: 067975153X

A friend recommended this one to me and I have to tell you that it's a subject I had never considered. I'll bet you haven't either. What happens to the weapons that are left out in the field when a conflict ends? Who clears the land mines? How many are there around the world? How long will it take to get rid of them? What do we do when chemical weapons reach their the end of their shelf life? What was the result of all that nuclear testing that took place during the Cold War? What did Agent Orange do to the people of Viet Nam? In short, what happens when the battle stops but the potential for destruction remains? This is one of the most provocative books I've come across. It's well researched and so well written that I'll bet you won't be able to put it down. I sure couldn't.

Agnes Browne Trilogy: The Mammy, the Chisellers, the Granny by Brendan O'Carroll paperback: $25.10 ISBN: 0452157595

I laughed so hard at these books that I had to watch where I was reading them. I'd be on an airplane and suddenly crack up. People look at you funny, you know? But this is such delightful stuff. Long live, Agnes Browne!

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Toolbox Manual by David Tenenbaum paperback: $10.36 ISBN: 0137702647

This one comes HIGHLY recommended by my friends who work in the "cool" side of the business. Everything you need in one easy-to-tote volume. Great for beginners and old-timers as well!

Air Conditioning Systems, Principles, Equipment and Service by Joseph Moravek hardcover: $75.00 ISBN: 0135179211

This one comes highly recommened by those who know. It's for pros who want to fine-tune their know-how.

American Notes for General Circulation by Charles Dickens paperback: $8.80 ISBN: 0140436499

Charles Dickens paid his first visit to the United States in 1842 and he kept a journal. American Notes is that journal. I was fascinated by his observations of everyday live, and I especially enjoyed his comments on our big cities, Niagara Falls and slavery. This is a wonderful read that will take you back in time.

An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser paperback: $8.95 ISBN: 0451527704

The anti-American Dream. A truly GREAT 19th Century novel by a masterful storyteller. Savor this one.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy paperback: $8.95 ISBN: 067978330X

This book covers all of life and it's a very powerful novel. Many say that it's the finest novel ever written, but I haven't yet read enough to know if that's true. Ayn Rand once said that "Anna" was the most dangerous book ever written. I can understand how she would feel that way. If you read my notes on her book, "Atlas Shrugged," you'll know that Ayn Rand had a powerful influence on me when I was younger. I reread that book every so often to see how it now strikes me. Over the years, my feelings toward it have changed considerably. Now, at middle-age, what Tolstoy has to say in "Anna Karenina" rings far truer, at least for me.

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank paperback: $5.50 ISBN: 0553296981

Always haunting. I read this as a young man, and then again just before going to Amsterdam to visit Anne's house. I cried.

As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner paperback: $9.56 ISBN: 067973225X

Mr. Faulkner is a tough read because he uses this steam-of consciousness technique, and the dialogue is very Southern. But if you're in the mood for a challenge, pick it up. It's the story of a family going to bury the mother. There's a point in the novel where the father and son are sitting on the porch, and the father asks the son a question. About seven pages later, the son answers the question. It was a startling literary device, and one that absolutely delighted me. I had to flip back through seven or so pages of description and tangents to see what the question was that the son had answered. It gave a true sense of how slowly things moved in this place. Faulkner was a genius.

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand paperback: $14.36 ISBN: 0452011876

Be forewarned, this book contains 1,192 pages and every one of those pages is going to make you think. I first read Ayn Rand's classic when I was 20 years old. It had a life-altering effect on me. It made me stop doing what I was doing (which wasn't much at the time) and go to work. I reread the book when I turned 40 because I was curious to see if it would still have the same power over me that it had over me in my youth. It didn't, and I found that to be so curious. It caused me to think a lot about how I had spent those 20 years - the experiences I had along the way and what I had learned about life. I plan to read Atlas Shrugged again when I'm 60. I want to see what it does to me then. Perspective is a gift that comes with age - if you allow it to. This is a book that everyone should read at least once in their life. And more than once if you have the patience and the curiousity.

Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis paperback: $5.35 ISBN: 0553214861

A great American novel. Babbitt strives to conform. You've met this guy. He lived in the 1920s but believe me, you've MET this guy. He lives in every town, works in every company. Babbitt is timeless, and oh so tiresome.

Bad Land by Jonathan Raban paperback: $11.20 ISBN: 0679759069

A book about the failed dreams of the homesteaders who traveled to the Montana prairie during the 1930s. They were following the false promises of the Government and the railroads who told these people that the land was rich. The wind came and blew away the soil, along with the dreams of the people, yet so many stayed on. This is their story. It's so similar to Steinbeck's classic, "The Grapes of Wrath," but these people stayed on. Told in the present as well as the past, this book is one that will move you deeply.

Bang the Drum Slowly by Mark Harris paperback: $8.95 ISBN: 0803272219

This is a great American novel. It's about baseball in the days before baseball players were rich, but it's much more than that. It's a story about life and death and friendship and loyalty and it will stay with you for a long, long time.

Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison paperback: $10.50 ISBN: 0452269571

A beautifully written, very disturbing book about a little girl growing up wrong. This one will stay with you long after you close the back cover.

Being Dead by Jim Crace hardcover: $14.70 ISBN: 0374110131

This is one of the most unusual, and beautifully written, novels I have ever come across. It's short (just 196 pages) and I read it in one sitting. Its quirkiness just pulled me in and held my attention for hours. The story revolves around a couple (both are zoologists) who return after 30 years of marriage to a beach where they once made love. While trying to relive the moment they are both murdered by an unknown person who arrives, does the deed, and then conveniently leaves the story. The rest of the novel is about being dead, but not at all in the spiritual sense. I realize that this all sounds pretty strange but take my word for it, this is a remarkably beautiful tale. It's told through flashbacks along with a rather intense look into the troubled life of their estranged daughter. It also gets very involved with all the natural things that happen to two dead bodies when left on a beach for six days. Sounds gross, I know, but it's all done very . . . tastefully.

Berlin Noir by Philip Kerr paperback: $12.24 ISBN: 0140231706

Three novels under one cover - a great deal! And these are dark novels, all in the Raymond Chandler style. If you like a good detective story (stories!), and if you love history, this one will have you turning the pages. Highly recommended!

Blindness by Jose Saramago paperback: $9.94 ISBN: 0156007754

Mr. Saramago won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Suppose all of the people, but one, went suddenly blind. What would happen to the world, and how would people treat each other? And the one person with sight, what would her world be like? This book is haunting. Highly recommended.

Boss : Richard J. Daley of Chicago by Mike Royko paperback: $11.65 ISBN: 0452261678

Simply the best book ever written about an American city by the finest journalist of his time. Politics, Chicago-style - Royko will have you shaking your head in astonishment. This is political writing at its finest.

Builder's Guide to Cold Climates: Details for Design and Construction by Joseph Lstiburek Spiral-bound: $32.00 ISBN: 156158374X

For those who live in COLDER places! Brrrrrrr.

Builder's Guide to Mixed Climates : Details for Design and Construction by Joseph Lstiburek Spiral-bound: $40 ISBN: 156158374X

After a friend got wind that this one was on its way to the publisher and recommended it to me, I ordered a copy and waited about six months for it to arrive (it's newly published). It was WELL worth the wait! This is a concise, graphically rich manual that shows the very best methods and techniques for building homes in the colder parts of North America. The focus of the entire text is on energy conservation through proper building techniques, particularly insulation techniques. It is VERY up to date. If you are involved with the New Hydronics, particularly radiant heating (and if you are, you understand the importance of insulation), you would be wise to add this book to your reference library. Great, great information, and the drawings are superb.

Butler's Lives of the Saints by Michael Walsh (editor) paperback: $16.80 ISBN: 0060692995

There are patron saints for just about every profession. There are patron saints for prisoners, pawn brokers, poets, and postal workers. Even engineers have a patron saint (Ferdinand III)! There's a saint for plumbers (Vincent Ferrer), yet there no patron saint to watch over the poor heating contractor. Add this book to your library and try to figure out why that is :-)

Buying In: The Secret Dialogue Between What We Buy and Who We Are by Rob Walker hardcover: $16.50 ISBN: 1400063914

What is about iPods that makes so many people want one? There cheaper devices that do the same thing. And why do so many people were those yellow liveSTRONG bracelets? Why do we buy what we buy, and what does that say about us? That's what Rob Walker's book is all about. If you're involved in any aspect of marketing, or if you just want to better understand our culture, read this book. Lots of food for thought here.

Call of the Wild by Jack London paperback: $2.69 ISBN: 0812504321

A man and a dog in the frozen North - a story of love and loyalty. If you didn't read this fierce and moving tale as a kid, read it now. You won't be sorry.

Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling paperback: $3.95 ISBN: 0451523814

How a spoiled boy becomes a man by falling overboard somewhere out there in the Atlantic. Tough-guy literature at its very best!

Cartoon Guide to Physics by Larry Gonick, Art Huffman (Contributor) paperback: $10.95 ISBN: 0062731009

All four of my daughters used this book in High School. It's fabulous.

Catapult : Harry and I Build a Siege Weapon by Jim Paul paperback: $$9.60 ISBN: 0156005565

If you want to laugh while learning, get yourself a copy of Catapult. This is a story about a guy who decided it would be great fun to build a catapult so that he could lob rocks into the Pacific Ocean. Jim Paul, the guy in question, knows nothing about mechanics, so he gets together with his friend Harry, who does. They need money for the project so they apply to the local Arts Council, explaining that they want to explore “catapult consciousness.” All of this takes place in California, and they get the money, of course. The story of how they build their contraption takes you on a wild ride through both history and mechanical engineering, and it’s more fun than a hurled boulder. Don't miss it!

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller paperback: $10.56 ISBN: 0684833395

I read it in high school, of course. You probaly did too. Read it again. It actually makes more sense nowadays.

Cavedweller by Dorothy Allison paperback: $10.46 ISBN: 0452279690

A brilliant writer. This wonderful novel is a celebration of life, told though the tough and tender words of some fascinating women.

Celtic Lullabies by various artists beautiful music!: $12.99 ISBN: B000000X8F

Not a book, but the music that I listen to all day long while writing stories. Gorgeous stuff that makes the imagination soar. Put this together with a birdfeeder and watch what happens!

Collected Poems of Robert Service by Robert W. Service hardcover: $16.77 ISBN: 0399150153

Robert Service was born in 1874 and spent most of his life as a vagabond poet slogging through Arctic wastelands in search of gold. While there, he wrote such classics as "The Cremation of Sam McGee" which will stay in your head like the Meow-Mix jingle. It's good to memorize a few Robert Service poems so that you can recite them loudly whilst hoisting a mug of beer in some dark and woody gin mill. And guys, feel free to do the same!

Confessions of a Crabgrass Cowboy: From Lincoln Logs to Lava Lamps: Coming of Age in an Early American Suburb by William Schwarz paperback: $17.59 ISBN: 0595451691

William Schwarz is my age and he grew up very near where I did here on the Isle of Long. This memoir is all about coming of age during the '50s and '60s and it brought back some wonderful memories. It's also side-spitting funny. Don't miss it.

Cormac's Corner by Cormac MacConnell paperback: $13.95 ISBN: 0970587708

What we have here is a collection of short stories, each about three-pages long, and all about life in the west of Ireland. I learned about Cormac MacConnell when I was reading McCarthy's Bar (which you'll find further down the list here). He's a brilliant storyteller and has the most playful way with words. I've written down and saved so many of the verbal images from this delightful book. I wish I could do what this guy does. Trust me, you'll feel like a kid, sitting at the knee of a twinkly-eyed grandfather when you read this one. Pure delight!

Cracking Creativity by Michael Michalko paperback: $13.97 ISBN: 1580083110

Simply the best book I've ever read on creativity. If you need to come up with new ideas for your business, this book will give you the tools. And when you get to the part about SCAMPER, pause there and spend some time with it. It's very powerful stuff.

Custer's Last Stand by Quentin Reynolds hardcover: $1.68 ISBN: 0394891783

I read this book when I was in the fifth grade and loved it. I was so innocent and this was a book for young adults. It didn't favor the Indians, but we weren't PC back then. I still have the copy of that book. When my daughters were in the fifth grade, I wrote my thoughts in the book and then gave it to them to read. They also recorded their fifth-grade thoughts in the book, right below mine. Now they are grown and the book sits on my shelf, old and weathered, and priceless. I wait for the grandchildren to arrive. Choose a book you once loved and do this with your children.

Daisy Miller by Henry James paperback: $5.95 ISBN: 0140432620

A novella of the utmost beauty. Daisy Miller is innocent, but oh so American, and traveling in Europe during a time when women such as Daisy were considered bold. A beautiful piece, stuck in time.

Dale Carnegie's Lifetime Plan for Success : How to Win Friends & Influence People : How to Stop Worrying & Start Living by Dale Carnegie hardcover: $12.99 ISBN: 1578660394

I took the Dale Carnegie Course when I was 21 years old and it changed my life. They first night of class they handed me these two books. I read them and saw the wisdom in both. At some point in your life, you MUST read these two books - and the earlier the better.

Dancing at the Rascal Fair by Ivan Doig paperback: $10.40 ISBN: 0684831058

A few years ago, I did a seminar in Montana and made some new friends. One of them sent me a book afterward and told me it was an excellent history of Western Montana’s early settlers. I wrote and thanked him for thinking of me, and then I put the book on the stack. I have this really big stack of books to read. I’ll never live long enough to get to the bottom of it, but that’s the way it should be with books. The book finally worked its way to the top and when I began reading, the memories of my trip to Montana came flooding back. But this wonderful novel is so much more than an early history of Western Montana. This is a piece of writing that will move you and haunt you. It woke me on more than one night and had me staring at the ceiling, nearly in tears. This is just such a beautifully crafted story. It’s about life, and love, and I can’t recommend it enough. Give yourself a present and savor this book.

Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff, Sydney Hoff (Illustrator) paperback: $3.55 ISBN: 0064440028

I read this book a million times to Kelly, Meghan, Colleen and Erin. If I changed a single word, they'd know it. And I would change words - every night. I'd twist the story around and make things up and play with their imaginations and make them believe that, when it comes to a story, just about anything can happen to a little kid and a dinosaur. They're all grown up now, my beautiful daughters, but they remember this book. And so do I. Read to your children. They grow so quickly.

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens paperback: $7.95 ISBN: 0679783415

This was Mr. Dickens' favorite book. It is also his most autobiographical. The character, Uriah Heep, is one I've met from time to time. Quite a stinker.

Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben paperback: $6.99 ISBN: 0440220440

This is the first in a series of crime novels revolving around sports agent, Myron Bolitar, and his VERY interesting friends. Woody put me on to this series and strongly suggested that I read the books in order. You should do the same. Besides being terrific stories and honest-to-goodness page turners, what you will find here is some of the best descriptive writing around. It will have you laughing out loud. As Woody says, "The only problem with Harlan Coben is that we read faster than he can write." True.

Desperate Characters by Paula Fox paperback: $9.60 ISBN: 039331894X

This short novel is so beautifully written and so complex that it calls for more than one reading. Written in 1970 and then out of print for years I'm very glad to see that it is back for a new generation.

Diana Krall - Live in Paris (2001) DVD by Diana Krall et al. wonderful music: $18.74 ISBN: B00005Y3ZM

Not a book, but incredible music from a woman who is so talented I can't even stand it. We saw Diana Krall on Long Island during the summer of 2002 and went out the next day and got this Live in Paris DVD. She reminds me of Eric Clapton in a way. Not because of the music (this is jazz, not blues) but because Clapton always surrounds himself with the best musicians he can gather. He can do that because he's so confident in his own abilities. She's the same. The group playing with her is masterful. And the sound that comes out of this DVD is like nothing I've ever heard on any other live performance. We have one of those surround-sound set-ups in our den and I could watch and listen to this woman all day long. Joyful stuff, this DVD. Enjoy!

Downtown: My Manhattan by Pete Hamill hardcover: $14.37 ISBN: 0316734519

If you're a New Yorker you're going to love this one. If you're not a New Yorker this book may make you wish you were. It dances between little-known history and sheer poetry. Simply beautiful writing.

Dreamland : America at the Dawn of the Twentieth Century by Michael Lesy hardcover: $28.00 ISBN: 1565843827

This is a photo essay of America during a time long gone. It is simply the most beautiful and whimsically romantic book I own and I sit with it nearly every night, if even for just a little while. This book brings the Dead Men to life. The quality of the photography will take your breath away. I can't recommend this one enough. I LOVE this book!

Driving Mr. Albert by Michael Paterniti paperback: $8.76 ISBN: 038533303X

The author drives the elderly Dr. Tom Harvey, former pathologist, across America. They are going to visit Evelyn Einstein. In the trunk, they have her grandfather Albert's brain. It's in a Tuperware container. This is a true story and travel writing at its very best. I loved every minute of the journey and learned a lot I never knew along the way.

Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman paperback: $8.76 ISBN: 0446670111

This is a delightful little novel that will make you stop in your tracks and think about time. I read it in one sitting and then turned back to the first page and reread it. It's that good! It's filled with wonderful speculations on the nature of time and life and it will make you appreciate both just a little bit more. The writing is gorgeous and it's a genuine page-turner. Don't miss this one.

Endangered Pleasures : In Defense of Naps, Bacon, Martinis, Profanity, and Other Indulgences by Barbara Holland paperback: $9.60 ISBN: 006095647X

Absolutely delightful little essays about all the things we used to do but now, for various reasons, can't. Or won't. Or secretly wish we could! This one is great fun.

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing paperback: $10.17 ISBN: 078670621X

A most amazing true story that began in the summer of 1914 when Ernest Shackleton and his crew set off on the Endurance to cross Antarctica. The ship got trapped in ice and crushed and what follows is the story of their survival. It reads like a novel but it's all true.

Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser paperback: $10.47 ISBN: 0060938455

My daughter gave me this one to read and it caused me to give up on beef and chicken. It may not have the same effect on you, but I hope it makes you think. This book goes beyond what's in the food. It's a powerful, and very-well-documented, look at the food industry in America. Disturbing stuff.

Father Joe: The Man Who Saved My Soul by Tony Hendra hardcover: $17.46 ISBN: 1400061849

A beautiful book about a flawed man. It's a search for happiness, and ultimately, for redemption. Father Joe is a modern-day saint. You'll like him a lot.

Flatland/Sphereland by Edwin A. Abbott paperback: $10.50 ISBN: 0062732765

Written in 1884, the hero of this book is a square that lives in Flatland, a place where there are only two dimensions, length and width. This one is right up there with Alan Lightman's 'Einstein's Dreams' (further up on the list). How would the world appear to you if it had but two dimensions? How about one dimension? That's what the Square has to deal with when he visits Lineland. Or no dimensions at all(in Pointland). He's transported to Sphereland, which is where we live, and is astonished to find this third dimension. He then speculates on a fourth dimension, which the Sphere tells him is ludicrous, which is the point of this fairy tale. It's difficult for people to imagine things beyond the range of your sensations. This book will have you doing that, though. A quick read and well worth your time.

FLU - The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and the Search for the Virus That Caused It by Gina Kolata hardcover: $17.50 ISBN: 0374157065

Something terrible happened during the winter of 1918, and I'm willing to bet that you never learned about it in school - or even heard about it once you graduated. I didn't. A virus swept over the world during the winter of 1918, and it attacked mostly the young and the healthy. Almost overnight, it killed an estimated 40 million people. More American soldiers were killed by this flu during that single winter than died during all of World War II. Half a million died in the US, 19,000 in New York City alone. And then, just as this killer arrived, it left. It was an event that was so staggeringly horrible that history literally forgot about it. And that's why you never learned about it in school. This book is a murder mystery. It's as current as today's newspaper because a small group of researchers have managed to find that virus and they're working on breaking its genetic code as I write these words. How they found it is one hell of a good story. In 1976, the swine flu appeared on the scene and scientists thought it was the return of the 1918 flu. The US Government made an attempt to vaccinate every American. What happened as a result of this political decision will help you to understand why so many people sue each other nowadays. I'd like you to read this book because, in 1918, the science of central heating was relatively new. The engineers who were working on those early systems had to deal with the panic that swept through the world back then as a result of the winter of 1918. Those engineers had to design heating systems that would heat buildings with the windows open. This book is an eye-opening gem, one that will give you a greater understanding of the heating trades, and the world of medicine - all at the same time! You will not be able to put it down.

Forced Hot Air Furnaces - Troubleshooting and Repair by Roger Vizi paperback: $$31.96 ISBN: 0071341714

This is about the best text I've found for troubleshooting and repairing furnaces. Roger Vizi writes in plain English, and he writes with technicians in mind, but even if you're not in the trade, you'll be able to understand what's in this book. He approaches the subject in the same way a good teacher would run a class. He begins at the beginning and takes you through to the end, one step at a time. He doesn't assume you know things that you may not know. He's particularly good throughout the service and troubleshooting sections because he shares insights that can come only from someone who has a lot of experience working in the field. The text covers the components of gas, oil, and electric furnaces. It also deals with electrical circuits, humidifiers, and electronic air cleaners. There's a solid section on heat pumps as well. The drawings are simple to follow and VERY clear. The appendix offers suggested parts inventories for service trucks, questions to ask when you're troubleshooting, a tune-up checklist, and a lot more. All in all, I think that this is one book that EVERY service technician should own. It answers the questions that a technician may be reluctant to ask at work. And that's what a good technical book should do. Great stuff!

Forever by Pete Hamill hardcover: $15.57 ISBN: 0316341118

I've long loved New York City history, and Pete Hamill has always been one of my favorite newspaper columnists and novelists. This novel, like his earlier work, Snow in August, involves a young boy, New York City, and a healthy dose of magic. Cormac O'Connor comes to New York from Ireland in 1741 and receives a gift. He is granted eternal life, as long as he never leaves the island of Manhattan. What follows is a wonderful story of New York City that rumbles through the generations and ends with the events of September 11. It's a great, imaginative and very moving read. It's also a love story. Beautiful

Freedom from Fear by Mark Matteson paperback: $9.95 ISBN: 0937539619

Mark Matteson and I were on the same program at a convention and we got to spend a few hours together afterwards at a book signing. He gave me a copy of his book, which I read on the plane on my way back to Long Island. As soon as I was done, I started reading it again. This book is just wonderful. It's filled with advice for living and I found myself nodding in agreement with everything he had to say. Mark is a brilliant storyteller and I can't recommend this book enough. There's peace here.

From Sand Castles to Dream Houses: A Planner for Building or Remodeling Your Home by Sheri Koones Hardcover: $24.99 ISBN: 0924659874

Sheri Koones called me one day and we talked about houses and heating and she told me about her book. This is great stuff and Sheri has a wonderful way with words. You building or remodeling? Get this book!

Furnace by Muriel Gray paperback: $6.29 ISBN: 0312969031

Despite the title, this one has nothing to do with heating systems. Rather, it's a novel (one of the most riveting I've read) about a cross-country trucker who has a brush with the supernatural when he turns off the Interstate in search of a quick meal. He drives down a long narrow country road and eventually finds himself in Furnace, Virginia, a small affluent town that's not quite right. All he wants to do is grab a sandwich and make a U-turn, but then all hell breaks loose. This one will keep you up nights.

Games Trainers Play by John W. Newstrom and Edward E. Scannell paperback: $19.96 ISBN: 0070464081

If you ever have to run a meeting and you're looking to liven it up a bit, check out this book. It's filled with ideas that can help you hold your audience's attention. I've used a number of these games in the seminars I've conducted over the years. They've always worked for me!

God, Country, Notre Dame by Theodore M. Hesburgh hardcover: $22.95 ISBN: 0268010382

First, I have to tell you that my daughter Kelly is a "Domer" and that's the reason why I first picked up this book. I thought it was going to me a preachy tome written by the priest who guided the University of Notre Dame from a regional school to a university of international stature. What the book turned out to be, though, was the story of a Forrest Gump sort of man in a clerical collar. Father Hesburgh somehow managed to be present at (and play a significant role in!) some of the most memorable moments in recent American history. This guy was everywhere! And he also flew faster than any living human being on the face of the earth. That story alone is worth the price of the book, and I guarantee it will have you shaking your head in amazement. This is a life that will inspire you and astound you. Read it like an adventure story because that's EXACTLY what it is.

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't by Jim Collins Hardcover: $16.50 ISBN: 0066620996

My friend Bill Curry, one of the most successful wholesalers I know recommended this book. He said, "Jim does a terrific job of identifying how any business owner can take his company to the next level. His formula is simple and adaptable to any size company." I agree!

Grasshopper by Barbara Vine hardcover: $17.50 ISBN: 0609607898

I REALLY liked this one. It's about a group of very interesting characters (some are nuts; others are quite evil) who get their kicks by climbing the roofs of London at night. Sounds strange, I know, but it's also about coming of age. What I liked most about the novel was the way the author switches from present to past and moves the story along with a lot of foreshadowing. It held my interest to the last page. Great style!

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens paperback: $8.00 ISBN: 0141439564

Perhaps the most perfect novel ever written.

Handbook of Air Conditioning, Heating, and Ventilating by Richard L. Koral, et al. hardcover: $89.50 ISBN: 0831111240

I've known Dick Koral for most of my working life. Nowadays, he runs the Apartment House Institute (a division of New York City Technical College) and he is one of the best all-around heating people I know. Dick used to edit, along with the legendary Clifford Strock, a magazine called "Air Conditioning, Heating, and Ventilation." When I was writing my book, "The Lost Art of Steam Heating," Dick called and asked if I would be interested in the files of the late, great Mr. Strock. I, of course, said YES! and immediately drove into Manhattan to pick up a van-load of boxes. It took me months to go through all of Mr. Strock's collection. Much of what I found there (original trade-journal articles from the Twenties and Thirties) wound up in "Lost Art." This man was a world-class saver! When he and Dick sat down to edit the "Handbook" they put just about everything you would EVER want to know about air conditioning, heating, and ventilating into it. This is an incredible source book, and it's one you should consider adding to your library.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling paperback: $6.29 ISBN: 059035342X

Anthony Alverez lives next door. He told me that I should read the Harry Potter books because he liked them a lot. He loaned me his copy. Anthony's a kid, and he was right. Start with this one and work your way through the series. You'll be happy you did. These books are NOT just for kids. Listen to Anthony.

Heat and Cold: Mastering the Great Indoors: A Selective History by Bernard Nagengast et al. hardcover: $99.00 ISBN: 1883413176

As far as I'm concerned, Bern Nagengast knows more about heating, refrigeration, and ventilation history than anyone else in America. In recognition of ASHRAE's centennial, he got together with a group of other ASHRAE historians to craft this gorgeous, coffee-table book. At $99, it IS a pricey text, but it is one that you will enjoy for years to come. The drawings and photos are both rare and many are in full color. The history that they explain in the text is something that will open your eyes and make you understand that you are a part of something that is big and important. Treat yourself to this one. You will NOT regret it.

Heating Handbook by Chase Powers paperback: $$31.96 ISBN: 0070507198

If it's heat pumps you're interested it, Heating Handbook is one you should NOT miss. Nearly half of this text is about heat pumps - how they work, how to pick them, how to install them, how to troubleshoot and maintain them. Chase Powers covers both air-source and ground-source units, and he does it in a MOST understandable way. When he's done with heat pumps, he jumps right into radiant floor heating, furnaces, duct installation, solar, wood- and coal-fired systems and so much more. The drawings are terrific (most are courtesy of the equipment manufacturers), and there are a LOT of very useful charts. I picked up a great deal from this book and I'll bet you will too!

Hiroshima by John Hershey paperback: $6.25 ISBN: 0679721037

I read this as a young man, and reread it on the 60th anniversary of the event. Please read this book at least once.

His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis hardcover: $16.17 ISBN: 1400040310

I picked this up when I realized that I didn't know much about the Father of our Country. He's always sat up there on the mountain, almost god-like (at least that's what I got from school). It's sometimes hard to believe that he actually lived. He's more legend than he is man. This book, however, will make George Washington seem very human to you. Did you know that he and Thomas Jefferson were enemies at the end? I didn't know that. Heck of a story, and all true. It is a bit dry in places (a very serious historian writing here), but well worth the effort.

Homegrown Democrat: A Few Plain Thoughts From the Heart of America by Garrison Keillor hardcover: $13.97 ISBN: 0670033650

Garrison Keillor has a beautiful way with words.

Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss hardcover: $10.47 ISBN: 0394800788

If you're a kid, I hope you read and love this book as much as I did when I was a kid. This is the first book I can remember reading on my own. I sat on the floor of the New York Public Library when I was five years old and moved my fingers over the words, one at a time, saying those words aloud and loving their round sounds. If you're a grown-up, you should own this book and keep it close by. It's a great way to remember that EVERYONE can make a difference in this world - even a tiny Who. And if you're lucky enough to have kids, please don't forget to read to them tonight. Children are as perishable as milk.

House About It by Sheri Koones, Bruce Sanders paperback: $16.97 ISBN: 1586853775

Another winner from Sheri Koons. She's the author of From Sand Castles to Dream Houses: A Planner for Building or Remodeling Your Home (also on Dan's Reading List). House About It has a nice section on mechanical systems. Check it out.

How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alverez paperback: $11.20 ISBN: 0452268060

This one's about sisterhood and family, generations and conflict. Beautifully crafted. I found this one in our public library in the High School Reading List section. I often go there to find great books I might have missed otherwise. It's good to know the high-schoolers are reading such quality work.

How to Lie with Statistics by Darrell Huff, Irving Geis paperback: $8.05 ISBN: 0393310728

This book will help protect you from a LOT of people!

How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie paperback: $7.50 ISBN: 0671733354

I read this when I was 21 years old and it changed my life. I've read it again many times since - just as a reminder. It's especially important nowadays. Don't worry.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie paperback: $7.50 ISBN: 0671723650

Simply one of the most important books I've ever read. It's timeless. And if you've never taken the Dale Carnegie Course, you should do that too. It has the power to change your life.

I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe hardcover: $11.58 ISBN: 0374281580

I've read everything book Tom Wolfe has written and I especially enjoyed this one because it's so rich in language. I always keep a notepad nearby when I'm reading so that I can capture colorful descriptions. I practically filled my notebook from this novel. The story's a bit tough to take (heartbreaking, actually), but it's a real American story, and as current as today's newspaper.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou paperback: $5.99 ISBN: 0553279378

An autobiography of Ms. Angelou up to age 16 and the birth of her son. A moving rememberance of what life was like for a Black woman growing up in the American South during the 1930s. Powerful writing.

Ice Reich by William Dietrich paperback: $6.00 ISBN: 0446607444

Boy, is this one a page-turner! I picked it up at the airport on my way back from Chicago and I couldn't put it down. If you love a well-told tale with REALLY bad bad guys, action-adventure, and great escapes, then you're going to love this book. And, by the way, Mr. Dietrich won the Pulitzer Prize. This guy can write!

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin paperback: $3.00 ISBN: 0440340608

An American horror story. I wish more people would read James Baldwin.

In God We Trust : All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd paperback: $10.36 ISBN: 0385021747

If you've ever watched "A Christmas Story" on TV during the holidays you've heard the wonderful voice of Jean Shepherd. And if you watched that movie, you're also familiar with the kid who gets this tongue frozen on the flagpole, the famous leg lamp and the dangers of owning a BB gun ("You'll shoot your eye out!) I grew up listening to Jean Shepherd's voice on the radio here in New York. He's one of the reasons why I wanted to be a storyteller when I grew up. This book contains the tales that went into "A Christmas Story" as well as many more that will have you laughing with delight. If you've ever been a kid you're going to LOVE this book.

In Her Defense by Stephen Horn paperback: $6.99 ISBN: 0061098752

This is a GREAT first novel. It's got lots of twists and turns and I did't want it to end. Sit back and hang on!

In My Hands by Natalie MacMaster Music!: $13.99 ISBN: B00000K52U

The best darn Cape Breton fiddle player you ever laid ears on. I saw Natalie MacMaster play with the Chieftans on Saint Patrick's Day a few years back. She fiddled like a madwoman and step-danced at the same time. My jaw droped down onto my chest and I've been in love ever since. Natalie can make you dance and she can make you cry - all with her wonderful, wonderful hands.

Instruments of Night by Thomas H. Cook paperback: $4.79 ISBN: 0553578200

I recently discovered Mr. Cook and I’m looking forward to savoring his other novels. This one is about a near-suicidal writer who lives mostly inside his mind. A rich woman hires him to imagine the solution to a long-ago murder. She doesn’t expect him to solve the crime, but only to imagine a plausible scenario that will give the surviving relatives peace of mind. He nevertheless gets drawn into the case and sets out to actually solve the murder. Before long, he comes up with an explanation, which I guarantee you will accept. But as soon as he has you convinced that this is what took place, he tears down the entire theory. And you will believe that he was right in tearing it down. And you will feel foolish for believing him in the first place! Cook does this again and again to you throughout the novel. Each explanation is more plausible than the last – and each is wrong. The truth comes out in the end and I guarantee it will be a total (and very shocking) surprise. This book is delightful because it operates on so many levels. It’s an incredibly imaginative piece of writing. If you enjoy the art of good mystery writing, you will love this book.

IPT's Electrical Handbook by Herb Putz paperback: $16 ISBN: 0920855229

If you feel that you already know enough about electricity then this book is NOT for you. But if you have a nagging feeling that there might still be a few things you could learn, then buy this book! What we have here is a course in electricity, taught by a retired Master Electrician, and it's small enough to fit in your shirt pocket. This is one of those little gems that you can read from cover to cover (which will give you a solid, plain-English education in electricity and electrical system components), and then refer back to for years to come because this is also one of the best reference tools I've ever seen. Mr. Putz didn't leave a thing out, and the drawings are SO easy to follow. No toolbox should be without this book. What a great value for the money!

It's Not What Happens to You, It's What You Do About It by W Mitchell hardcover: $19.95 ISBN: 0963790102

Here's a story about a guy who simply never gives up. One of the most touching and inspirational true stories I've ever read. What courage!

John Adams by David McCullough paperback: $13.20 ISBN: 0743223136

A brilliant telling of an American story. At 752 pages, it's a hefty read, but well worth the time. His battles with Jefferson come to life in this work, and show both men in such a human light. I really liked this book. Follow it with Mr. McCullough's book, "1776"

King Coal by Upton Sinclair hardcover: $28.95 ISBN: 0848818997

Written in 1917 by the famous muckraker, this book has the power to break your heart, but while doing so, it will also give you valuable insight into how the heating industry came to be. Old King Coal was not such a merry old soul after all!

Kites by David Pelham paperback: $14.35 ISBN: 1585670170

Take this book and your young son or daughter out into a breezy Sunday afternoon. Make a memory. Children don't keep very long.

Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain paperback: $3.96 ISBN: 0553213490

A wonderful recounting of the great man's early life as a riverboat pilot - and a lot of insight into the early days of steam. A delightful book!

Little Chapel on the River: A Pub, a Town and the Search for What Matters Most by Gwendolyn Bounds paperback: $11.86 ISBN: 0060564075