The Iliad
Homer
28 people recommended it in 19 threads, 2007–2024.
What people on Hacker News said
But it is a great story about men and gods and struggle and war, with a lot to say about what mankind is and what it can be, and a lot of heroes to want to grow up to be someday.
Read anything written by Ancient Greeks; Aristotle, the Iliad, Herodotus, Plato. There's a reason people still read these dead white guys, and there is a reason that peak times of excellence in Western Civilization have been peak Ancient Greeks. It will make your thinking three dimensional, and give you perspective as to the world you live in today as a software engineer.
Where it comes up
- St. John’s Reading List: A Great Books Curriculum 2023 · 5 recommendations
- Ask HN: What's the "best" book you've ever read? 2024 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What are your favorite classic books? 2024 · 2 recommendations
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- Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before? 2020 · 2 recommendations
- Harvard Classics Book Download 2018 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What is the best book you have read with the greatest impact on you? 2022 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What was a book that changed your life? 2020 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you plan to read in 2020? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books or essays written at least 100 years ago? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018? 2018 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect? 2018 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2017? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Which non-technology book has influenced you the most and why? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2015? 2015 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books? I'm bored 2014 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What book are you reading? 2013 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Best books you read in 2012 2012 · 1 recommendation
- What books would you recommend reading? Why? 2007 · 1 recommendation