Some measure a man by how they live. Some measure a man by how they die.

Professor Simon Critchley is the latter. In The Book of Dead Philosophers, Critchley provides a lineup of 200 philosophers and, by way of their deaths, explains how we as people can live richer lives. At first, I thought I might be bored at the varying philosophes” examinations, but, in fact, this book proved to be quite provoking and hilarious, at the same time. Critchley focuses on how in each death (natural, murders, and suicides), we see what effects are left and, in turn, how they effect our daily lives today.

For those of you men who enjoy black comedy, this book belongs in your library. The sobering reality of death may make you laugh or it may simply frustrate you, but you’ll never stop thinking. After all, isn’t that what we men do?

Cost: $10