According to this article, Ray Bradbury would save a book by GBS. What would you save?

After days of religious heaven/hell/salvation debates on this site, I guess most of you would choose the Bible. I think the ultimate dye test is how you LIVED your life.

A Hummer...He would definitely drive a Hummer.

Here's the article: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/01/10/1041990084615.html

Good article.

Okay, excluding the Bible (for me it is THE touchstone book, AND it encompasses ALL types of literature -- a good reason for saving it if you can only save one!), and excluding Bradbury (since this is his site).

I vote for Henry David Thoreau's "Walden", "Civil Disobedience" and "Life Without Principle". The writing is superb. The social criticism, definitions of the religious sentiment, and philosophy directly define and challenge our lives. This challenge, if met, improves the quality of our existence. The writing is so good, you don't even realize you're thinking critically.

In VERY CLOSE second (probably a tie) would be the primary essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson, for the same reasons. (The Oversoul, The Harvard Divinity School Address, The American Scholar, Literary Ethics, The Transcendalist, and others)

My dad and I, when I was back in high school, used to have both friendly and heated debates on who was better. In my youth I sided unquestionably with Thoreau as the superior; but I am hard-pressed to pick a favorite today.

If necessary, just give me 1 chapter...

That would be the First Chapter of the book of Ephesians, in scripture. I lived on that for 2 years... I can live on what it says...forever....

I love the work and reflections of Emerson and Thoreau, and the psalms are works of art.

For me, probably, the complete works of Shakespeare, including his sonnets. However, Jane Eyre is a contender and many others, but I need to limit.

What about living writers? What book would you save other than one of Bradbury's?

How about, "A Prayer For Owen Meany" by John Irving. Subsequently made into a movie called "Simon Birch".

For me it would have to be "To Kill a Mockingbird," my favorite novel of all time. (The movie's not half-bad, either.)

I'd take a dictionary with all the rude words underlined-- only joking.

I'd probably take the biography of Che Guevera by John Lee Anderson. One of my hero's and a complicated man with a complicated story. He reminds me of Jesus in many ways, although I don't know if he ever drove a Hummer.

peace
Frankanger

For a book, (excluding the Bible - I agree with Mr. Dark's comment) it would be the complete works of Shakespeare. I don't think I really need to expound on that.

If I could only have a SHORT story, I would tote around a copy of "Markheim" by Robert Louis Stevenson. I try and read this little gem every few weeks. With every read, I'm always reminded that much of life is based on choice - not fate, or chance, or even circumstances.

I love the suggestions many of you have made - I haven't read most of the works mentioned, and it's so hard to hear good recommendations on books these days...I think a trip to the library is in order.