The Tale of Genji - Murasaki Shikibu

Title:

The Tale of Genji

Author:

Murasaki Shikibu (translated by Royall Tyler)

Year:

1021

Country:

Japan

Themes:

Genji’s attempt to replace his lost mother

The misfortune faced by Genji’s lovers

Can a man replace his one true love?

Synopsis:
      The story of a young nobleman balancing love       and loss in ancient Japan.

Steve Jobs - Walter Isaacson

Title:

Steve Jobs

Author:

Walter Isaacson

Year:

2011

Country:

America

Themes:

The intersection of technology and the humanities

The desire to leave behind a legacy

Open versus Closed production

Synopsis:

     The story of how Steve Jobs turned Apple               Computer from a small computer company in       his parents’ garage to the most valuable                   technology company in the world.

An Enemy of the People - Henrik Ibsen

Title:
     An Enemy of the People

Author:

Henrik Ibsen

Year:

1882

Country:

Norway

Themes:

Individual vs. the community

Science vs. irrationality

Sacrificing personal reputation for the good of one’s fellow man

Synopsis:

     The story of how a doctor sacrifices his personal       reputation in an attempt to save his dissident           community.

A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess

Title:

A Clockwork Orange

Author:

Anthony Burgess

Year:

1962

Country:

England

Themes:

Can violence solve violence?

The danger of youth

Can a person change his ways?

Synopsis:

The story of how a young criminal is subjected to a form of torture in an effort to rid him of his violent tendencies. 

Epic of Gilgamesh - Author Unknown (translated by Stephen Mitchell)

Title:

Epic of Gilgamesh

Author:

Unknown (Translated by Stephen Mitchell)

Year:

Between 1300 and 1100 BC

Country:

Mesopotamia

Themes:

The bond of friendship

The quest for immortality

The grief experienced at a loved one’s death

Synopsis:

The story of how Gilgamesh deals with the ideas of friendship and immortality.