If we strictly consider all the books that had significant impact on our lives, we can end up with a long list. However, there are those few notable masterpieces that standout. Thus, we are coming up with our list of top 10 books with the greatest impact to the world.
1. The Bible
There is no doubt that The Bible has the strongest impact and influence to many of us among all books. The Bible is singled out as the main reason why the powerful Roman Empire was converted to Christianity. The Bible is also the top selling Book of all time.
2. The Qur’an
The Qur’an is the Islamic’s world holiest book. The Book was written based on the revelations of Angel Gabriel to Prophet Mohammed. The contents of the Qur’an were preserved through word of mouth and it was only 20 years after the death of Mohammed that the contents and revelations were collected and put into writing.
3. The Summa Theologiae by St. Thomas Aquinas
The Summa Theologiae is a multi-volume book set which is described as the collection of the beliefs and doctrines of Christianity. The book is considered in high regard and importance, and the second most influential book next to The Bible.
4. The Rights of Man by Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine is a renowned English writer who had major influence on Democracy and American Democracy in particular. It was Paine who presented the treatise in his book, The Rights of Man, that the main purpose of the existence and claim to power of governments is their avowed duty to protect the rights of their constituents.
5. Either/Or by Soren Kierkegaard
Either/Or presents two views of life. The first one is anchored on responsibility and ethical duty and the second view refers to the hedonistic way of looking at life. This book was written by the renowned writer considered as the father of existentialism and unarguably exerted strong influence in the writing style of other existentialists.
6. Communist Manifesto by Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx
This book was written upon the request of the Communist League. It has become the major reference and inspiration of communist states. The manifesto presented a program of action that must be adopted by the working class in launching their revolution of change to achieve a condition of a classless and stateless society.
7. Experimental Research in Electricity by Michael Faraday
Michael Faraday was a brilliant physicist and chemist whose experiments paved the way to the development of the technology of electric motor. The Experimental Research in Electricity is the written record of his major findings which became the basis for the invention of rotary devices powered by electromagnetic.
8. On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
This written work of Darwin is considered a major element in the study of evolutionary biology. Its major proposition is that species continually evolve over time through the principle of natural selection.
9. The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir
This book by Simone de Beauvoir is a clear and concise depiction of a woman. It illustrates how women are treated by society and the title connotes how society treats them as an aberration of their male counterpart. It is a strong statement of the feministmovement of which Simone de Beauvoir is considered as the major driving force.
10. Atlas Shrugged by Avn Rand
This book of Avn Rand is a collection of different themes that formed the basic foundation of her Objectivism philosophy. Rand considered Atlas Shrugged as her masterpiece and it was her last fictional work before she spent all her time doing philosophical writing.
This list is absolutely accurate.