Edited by author 11-08-2009 02:34 PM
I am currently reading "The Praise of Folly" by Desiderius Erasmus. As personable as Augustine while remaining as entertaining as Voltaire. Fun and insightful in it's criticisms of 16th century society, many of which are still relavent today.

Also recommended:
"Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared Diamond. Clever theories pertaining to the question, "Why did certain cultures/civilizations expand and succeed while others were squashed?" Though biased, like all written analysis of history, I learned about cultures I would not have otherwise and obtained food for thought regarding the role that social need plays in the success of inventions.

"The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell. Gladwell annalizes the cultural phenomenon that occurs when a particular idea, fad, or product suddenly and unexpectedly catch on in mainstream society. The case studies presented are enthralling and the structure presented by Gladwell finds order in the seemingly chaotic worlds of fashion, crime, the spread of STDs, even addiction. Deffinatley worth the day or so that it will take to read.