Robert MacArthur & Edward Wilson
Remains to this day the classic work on the basic principles of ecology.
Theory of Island Biogeography
Category: Erudition
Influential reading
Gaia’s Revenge
James Lovelock
From the man who spawned the ‘Gaia hypothesis’ comes a vision of a 21st century Earth dominated, at low latitudes, by lifeless oceans and continents. Also noteworthy is Lovelock’s pro-nuclear energy stance.
The End of Nature
Bill McKibben
A classic and passionate call for environmentalism.
Deep Economy
Bill McKibben
McKibben’s stab at emphasizing the importance of society in the environmental struggle. Offers little new.
Cadillac Desert
Marc Reinert
Zen Buddhism
Christmas Humphreys
Probably the third-best work on the subject in the English language.
The Way of Zen
Alan WattsProbably the second-best work on the subject in the English language.
Tao: The Watercourse Way
Alan Watts
Introduction to Zen Buddhism
Suzuki
In my opinion the best short work available on the subject in the English language.
Buddhism
Christmas Humphreys
A good introduction to, and overview of, the main branches of Buddhism. Intended for those willing to garner a historical understanding, but not designed with a view to aiding the practice of Buddhism. Whatever that is.