For me it would have to be Revolt Against the Modern World by Julius Evola. No matter where you are in life, no matter how sure you are of your beliefs, this book will at least cause you some mental conflict. I'm sure by now many of you will have either heard of it, or read it, but it's essentially the anti modernist manifesto. Evola makes great arguments for hierarchy, against secularism, against female liberation, and essentially a return to older more Pagan values. The book is very critical of Christianity, but Evola argues his points persuasively, with many of his arguments being hard to deny. The book certainly hasn't made me a Pagan, but it's certainly made me think, so I'd highly recommend it.
What book would you choose?
Animal Farm by Orwell and Discrimination and Disparities by Thomas Sowell.
I've mixed feelings about Thomas Sowell. I read some of Black Red Necks & White Liberals. His theory about American Americans getting some of their behavior from Celtic groups in the South was interesting, but I don't think he dealt with the fact that the Celtic groups moved passed that behavior while the AA's didn't. His section on the "good immigrants" which talks of successful groups of immigrants was full of Jewish apologetics.
Fair enough, but I mentioned that book because of the annoying trend that says if person A is more successful than person B than racism/sexism/privilege/etc is the cause. As a black person Ive pulled my hair out in frustration trying to explain that if you are failing then it is best to start with yourself for reasons why.
The war against self-responsibility is the most destructive war that's ever been fought
It's very depressing to realise that no matter how much responsibility you take for yourself and your behavior, people who refuse to do the same will always comprise a significant and frequently overpowering voting block.
If you're interested, a good chunk of Allbion's Seed by David Hackett Fischer is dedicated to the idea. For a lighter treatment, try Colin Woodward's American Nations.