Intellectual or stupid dumbass?

[sylvar]

Jodi said tonight that she doesn't think I'm as much of an intellectual as I used to be because I don't read nonfiction as much as I used to. (I do watch philosophy lectures on DVD as I fold laundry, I've been watching a four-hour series on the construction of skyscrapers, and I almost always have a book on tape -- although those have tended to be fiction since I've listened to many of the library's good NF audio already.)

So, anyone got any suggestions? I guess she didn't notice when I was trying to wrap my brain around Brian Greene's The Elegant Universe, but I do like expository science essays in the tradition of Asimov and Clarke. Maybe I should give Guns, Germs and Steel another try. What else would you recommend to someone who wants to read intellectual stuff that's interesting and well-written?

Comments

[cbustapeck.livejournal.com]

I've enjoyed everything by Simon Winchester so far. He really knows how to connect the entire factual backstory.

On the other hand, if you are looking for something that is more of a travelish while still being deeply rooted in history type experience, William Least-Heat Moon is quite wonderful.

[sylvar.livejournal.com]

Cool, thanks.