Gödel, Escher, Bach

Featured in the sidebars of Machines Like Us, included in Dawkins' The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing, and highly recommended by Eliezer Yudkowsky (see below).
Bought for me by Edwin for my birthday in 2013.
==Extract (July 2010)==
===Format===
Read as part of my copy of The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing.
===Journal===
I read the extract of it in on the 8th of July 2010 and was disappointed in its triviality, but I am convinced by its recommendations that it needs to be read.
==Ratings, awards, mentions and recommendations==
===Yudkowsky's recommendation===
====Books that changed my life====
This is simply the best and most beautiful book ever written by the human species. This was the book that launched me on my career in artificial intelligence and cognitive science. I don't mean to imply that those are the only topics covered; Gödel, Escher, Bach also deals with mathematics, music, art, programming, Zen, philosophy, self-reference, and everything in the world that is bright and beautiful. This is the most intelligent, the deepest, the most beautiful book in the world. Period. End of story.
I'm not alone in this opinion, by the way. For one thing, Gödel, Escher, Bach won a Pulitzer Prize. Or just pick a random scientist and ask ver what vis favorite book is, and 1 out of 5 will say: "Gödel, Escher, Bach". No other book even comes close.
It is saddening to contemplate that every day, 150,000 humans die without reading what is indisputably one of the greatest achievements of our species. Don't let it happen to you.
Sure, if you're just an average person, you might not understand everything in this book - but when you're done reading, you won't be an average person any more.
====Books of knowledge====
Artificial intelligence. Cognitive science. Mathematics. Music. Art. Language. Computer programming. Zen. Philosophy. Self-reference. Genetics. Paradox. Logic. Everything.
All explained in an utterly clear, utterly readable, utterly accessible style, completely open to the average reader in every way, assuming no prior knowledge. It provides the best introduction I've ever seen to any of the above subjects, not because the author is writing a textbook, but because the author wants you to see how much fun they are.
Gödel, Escher, Bach: Read it! Read it! Read it!
=Links and references=
Category:Books
Category:Works