Dan Brown (born June 22, 1964) is an American best-selling author known for his thriller novels, including The Da Vinci Code. Brown’s novels are published in 57 languages and have sold over 200 million copies. His work has been adapted for film and television. Brown is also a producer and screenwriter.
In this article, Dan Brown recommends some books that have inspired him throughout his life.
Codes, Ciphers, & Other Cryptic & Clandestine Communication by Fred Wrixon
Have you ever wanted to send a message that only your intended recipient could read? Throughout history, people have used codes and ciphers to keep their messages private.
In his book Codes, Ciphers, & Other Cryptic & Clandestine Communication, Fred Wrixon covers the history and use of these secret communication methods.
You’ll learn about simple substitution ciphers, like the Caesar Cipher, as well as more complicated polyalphabetic ciphers, like the Vigenère Cipher.
Wrixon also covers steganography – the art of hiding a message in plain sight – and explains how to create your own codes and ciphers. Whether you’re looking for a fun activity to do with your friends or want to keep your messages safe from prying eyes, this book has something for you.
Gödel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstadter
Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid is a Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Douglas Hofstadter. The book is a long and detailed exploration of several topics related to the nature of minds and systems.
Hofstadter begins the book with an exposition of Kurt Gödel’s Incompleteness Theorem, which he uses as a launching point for discussing the nature of self-reference and recursive systems.
He then turns to M. C. Escher’s prints, which he uses to illustrate ideas about symmetry and feedback loops. Finally, he discusses Johann Sebastian Bach’s music, specifically Bach’s use of counterpoint, as an example of how complex systems can emerge from simple rules.
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
Much Ado About Nothing is a popular comedy by William Shakespeare. The play is set in the city of Messina in Sicily and revolves around the relationships between several couples. The main plot concerns the relationship between Benedick and Beatrice, who are constantly arguing with each other.
However, they eventually fall in love and get married. There is also a subplot involving the marriage of Claudio and Hero, which is nearly ruined by misunderstanding and jealousy. In the end, all the couples are happily married and everyone lives happily ever after.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men is set during the Great Depression and follows the story of two migrant workers, George and Lennie.
The novel explores the themes of friendship, loneliness, and dreams. Steinbeck’s writing style is simple and straightforward, making Of Mice and Men an accessible and moving read.
The Puzzle Palace by James Bamford
James Bamford’s The Puzzle Palace is a fascinating and informative look at the National Security Agency, America’s top-secret intelligence organization.
Bamford details the history of the NSA and its role in American intelligence gathering, from the Cold War to the present day. He also offers insights into the agency’s inner workings, including its massive data collection efforts.
The Puzzle Palace is an essential read for anyone interested in learning more about America’s spy agency and its impact on our world.
Wordplay by John Langdon
John Langdon is a graphic designer who has been involved in the creation of some of the world’s most iconic logos and images. In his book, Wordplay, he explores the power of words and how they can be used to create visual impact.
Langdon draws on his years of experience to show how words can be used to create visually striking images that convey messages with impact. He demonstrates how different typefaces and arranging them in different ways can change the meaning of words, and how this can be used to create powerful visual statements.
Wordplay is a fascinating exploration of the power of words and their ability to create visual impact. John Langdon’s extensive experience in graphic design shines through in this book, which is sure to appeal to anyone interested in design or communications.
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