This is a collection of definitive works in various areas of interest. I call them Benchmarks. As a reader and student I am constantly in search of the works or books that serve as the standard to which other works in the area are measured or on which other works rest. Finding good works, like finding a great school or a memorable teacher, is perhaps the most important task of the intrepid learner.

These may not be the most well-known or the most popular in a democratic sense, but they are trusted guides in the areas listed.

Although it is most certainly a work in progress, I am sharing my list of resources in the hope that it may be useful, even as it is, for others who travel these roads.

• Bible and Theology
• Christian Life
• Computer Science and Programming
• Cooking
• History
• Mathematics
• Typography and Design

Bible and Theology

Most of these are out of print.

• [Theology] The Attributes and Existence of God by Stephen Charnock
• [Isaiah] The Prophet Isaiah; new translation and commentary by Victor Buksbazen
• [Daniel] Remarks on the Prophetic Visions of Daniel by Tregelles

Christian Life

• Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill
• The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer

Computer Science and Programming

• [Algorithms and Data Structures] The Algorithm Design Manual by Steven Skeina. There is also an excellent corresponding online resource for ADM.
• [Algorithms and Data Structures] Introduction to Algorithms by Cormen et al.
• [JavaScript] Javascript: The Definitive Guide by David Flanagan
• [Linux] Running Linux by Matt Welsh and Lar Kaufman
• [Perl] Programming Perl by Larry Wall
• [MySQL] High Performance MySQL by Baron Schwarz, et al.
• [MySQL] blog MySQL Performance Blog
• [MySQL] blog xaprb
• [Various] blog ongoing by Tim Bray a co-editor on the original XML spec now working at Google on Adroid.
• [Theory of Computation] Introduction to the Theory of Computation by Michael Sipser

Cooking

There are many great cookbooks on my shelf, and many more out There. This is a list of the cookbooks I see as formative for one reason or another.

• The Joy of Cooking is a perennial classic by Irma S. Rombauer. With details and thorough explanations, Joy gives you the background to doing well in the kitchen.
• More with Less
• Moosewod Restaurant New Classics by the Moosewood Collective
• How to be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson

History

I am mostly interested in modern European history currently; this list reflects that.

• [General] A History of the Twentieth Century (3 Volumes: Vol 1 Vol 2 Vol 3) by Martin Gilbert
• [WWII] The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany by William L. Shirer
• [WWII] The Second World War by Winston Churchill

Mathematics

• [Abstract Algebra] Dummit and Foote’s Abstract Algebra is legendary and easy to access, useful both during and after finishing a course in abstract.
• [Abstract Algebra] Gallian’s Contemporary Abstract Algebra
• [Analysis] Walter Rudin wrote three definitive works in analysis. The first, Principles of Mathematical Analysis, known as Baby Rudin, is an introduction for advanced undergraduates. The second, Real and Complex Analysis, known as Big Rudin, is legendary.
• [Engineering] Kreyszig’s Advanced Engineering Mathematics

Typography and Design

• [Typography] The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst
• [Analytical Design] Edward Tufte has published four books that embody and present the history of great analytical design. They are priceless. The Visual Display of Quantitative Information (1983), Envisioning Information (1990), Visual Explanations (1997), and Beautiful Evidence (2006)
• [UI] blog Signal vs Noise by 37signals
• [Good Design] blog Ace Jet 170 by Richard Weston is an ongoing presentation of art, type and design stuff.