[ClearCase_guy]

Atlas Shrugged is a life changing book. I would also recommend “Unintended Consequences” by John Ross. It’s available as a PDF — I put it on my Kindle and couldn’t put it down. It really shows the tyranny of our government (and it was written before Obama).

[bt_dooftlook]

Definitely concur on Atlas Shrugged, Unintended Consequences, and Shattered Sword. If you like hardboiled detectives, Library of America's 2-volume set of Raymond Chandler's collected works (including short stories, novels, and screenplays) is a favorite to which I keep returning; the writing sizzles! If you are looking for something a tad lighter, try The Collected Works of Saki (HH Munro) - very British, very funny! PG Wodehouse is a great beach read (try "Leave It To Smith" and "The Heart Of A Goof" for starters)

These are just general reading suggestions, since I don't know where you are going and for what purpose; if you are venturing near Italy, try "THe Memoirs of Benvenuto Cellini", a landmark in the rise of human letters which details the life, work, and adventures of a true Renaissance man (and contemporary of Michelangelo and DaVinci, among others)