It would be useful, in my opinion, to have a general list of books that many here would consider 'Gems'. In this I mean books that deal with science, math, or philosophy that can inspire, explain, and otherwise be interesting and worthwhile to not just specialists but any intelligent layman. Of these, I am not just referring to books that popularize a particular subject but others also that tend to explore new things in themselves. Of course this is not to downplay such gems as say, A Brief History of Time.

To start the universe from nothing, I will mention a few books as much for example as to begin to populate the void:

Relativity The Special and the General Theory, by Albert Einstein

A Mathematician’s Apology, by G. H. Hardy

The Story of Philosophy, by Will Durant

What is Life? by Erwin Schrödinger (this real gem of a book has an epilogue titled 'Determinism and Free Will' which is a wonderful Ferris wheel ride of thought).

If others take this seriously and add to it, I suppose it may be worthy of being a sticky. But that will depend on how this thread evolves.

I encourge all to participate and add their own suggestions of 'Gems'.

-Zeno

Gödel, Escher, Bach an eternal golden braid: Douglas Hofstadter. – Not to be missed. Has been recommended by others here.

Ending Aging: Aubrey de Grey with Michael Rae –A little biology would help. I must admit I find his method of curing cancer just a little scary.

The Mathematical Experience: Philip Davis, Reuben Herch. - In the style of Hofstadter's classic.

These are both very solid choices.

Some others that I've particularly liked:

The Blind Watchmaker, Richard Dawkins

The Evolution of Cooperation, Robert Axelrod

Proofs and Refutations, Imre Lakatos

Gödel's Proof, Ernest Nagel, James R. Newman

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman, by Richard Feynman.

Engines of Logic by Martin Davis.

Well here is a few of the more obvious:

Brief History of Time Stephen Hawking

On the Shoulders of Giants Ed. Stephen Hawking

Origin of Species Charles Darwin

Another very readable classic, for someone who has some basic math under his belt anyway: Mandelbrot's Fractal Geometry of Nature.

Emphasizing the layman's side, with almost no technical content at all, maybe Rudy Rucker's The Fourth Dimension -- and, of course, the ancient classic that inspired it, Flatland.

Elegant Universe Brian Greene

The Selfish Gene Richard Dawkins

Metamagical Themas is another excellent Hofstadter book, if you've already read Goedel, Escher, Bach.

I also like The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature by Steven Pinker.

For an excellent history of math and a good 2 weeks of straight reading, get The World of Mathematics by James R, Newman. Many of the essays were written when mathematicians were still struggling with the implications of the early 20th century discoveries in foundations of their science and you really get a sense of the excitement this was causing. Don't be put off by the date of publication. If you pick up one of these volumes, you won't be able to stop yourself from reading all four!*

*offer only valid for SMP

Also, The Extended Phenotype, probably not as widely read as the other two, but IMO, most interesting of the three.

Fiction, but still good:

The Last Question, by Isaac Asimov.

The Demon-Haunted World, Science as a Candle in the Dark, by Carl Sagan. Not especially profound but it is an excellent defense of Science and Reason and Skepticism and is well written in an engaging style - A sober book for these un-sober times.

An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, by David Hume. The great empiricist at his succint best. A shorter work than his other tomes and more easily digested.

The Basic Writings of Bertrand Russell, by that old aristocratic codger. This book offers a broad range of subjects covering science, philosophy, mathematics, logic and societal implications of each and branches into morals, ethics, religion, history, and other diverse topics. Russell is always lucid and interesting even when you disagree, and the essays are not as dated as some would think. If this book is too much Russell for some, then I suggest the short Unpopular Essays, as worthy of an afternoon's reading.

I will mention two other works that may seem out of place but do delve into the world of philosophy and life, and I think are worthy of attention by the SMP crowd: The Mediations by Marcus Aurelius and Letters from a Stoic, by Seneca. It is not just that these two books contain an ample balance of philosophical speculation, wisdom and sound advice; they are great works of prose literature, a fact too often under appreciated by many people. In addition, these works put a perspective on our Western Heritage and mode of thought. And offer a reflective pause to the temper of a hurried and impatient world - So much for my recommendations of a philosophic nature.

-Zeno

Darwin´s Dangerous Idea by Daniel C. Dennett (all his books are worth reading however, except maybe his book on religion)

The Red Queen by Matt Ridley (also take a look at The Origins of Virtue)

Before The Dawn by Nicholas Wade (best book out there on human evolution)

There have been a lot of book threads lately, I think a sticky here would be great Zeno. It would condense the other book threads and fit nicely with the video sticky.

As an aside, I'd like to thank everyone for their incredible recommendations and enough reading to last me a lifetime. Over the past few months, I've scoured these book threads and bought roughly 65 books from amazon. It is a collection which will grow and I will have until my dying day. Even though I have only read 2 of the books so far, every time I pass my bookshelf I'm consumed with a mixture of excitement and intimidation.

I'm extremely happy that as a poker player I've spent roughly 1k on some of the most insightful books ever written instead of something like a watch.

Some of those watches are pretty balla though.

edit- Oh yeah and my recommendation is very popular but i'll list is here anyways.

The End of Faith by Sam Harris