We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.  Winston Churchill

SOPHIE'S WORLD - A NOVEL ABOUT THE HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY by Jostein Gaarder
Sophie's World is a novel about the history of philosophy. It has been an international best seller. Fifteen-year-old Sophie comes home from school and finds a series of anonymous documents asking her questions that take her into a whole new way of thinking that changes her life.

She eventually meets her mysterious penpal who then helps her see how key people throughout time have tried alternative explanations for what it means to be human. I love the overview of the history of philosophy told in a fictionalized way with a surprise ending that makes you think.
Buy It on Amazon: Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy (FSG Classics)

A TRIO ABOUT SPIRAL DYNAMICS
SPIRAL DYNAMICS -- mastering values, leadership, and change by Don Beck and Christopher Cowan
This is a 300 page manual that I really liked, but some find it challenging to read. There are very helpful summary charts. Reading it will give you the concepts, but working with it to actually apply requires training or discussion groups with people who have been certified. It will open your eyes in more ways than one.
Buy It on Amazon: Spiral Dynamics: Mastering Values, Leadership and Change

A THEORY OF EVERYTHING -- an integral vision for business, politics, science, and spirituality
by Ken Wilber
Wilber may be one of the best known philosopher of our day and one of the most prolific. He and Beck came together for awhile and Wilber integrated his own thoughts and theories with many psychologists including Grave's, Beck, and Cowan and publish this book. Some people prefer his style of writing and explanation of Spiral Dynamics. I liked his added integration of other philosophy and the ideas of lines of development with the spiral.
Buy It on Amazon: A Theory of Everything: An Integral Vision for Business, Politics, Science and Spirituality

CHANGES OF MIND -- A Holonomic Theory of the Evolution of Consciousness by Jenny Wade
Another comprehensive look at many psychological developmental theories integrated into one system. Wade provides a philosophy of psychology and extends the models into pre-birth and after death states of consciousness. She makes passing references to Spiral Dynamics so if you really want to know that model, choose one of the other books. I found this one added more insight for me into parallel work with Spiral Dynamics which I found enriching and informational for someone who was not a psychology major. It is a heavy read with references to lots of people and studies and about 22 pages of notes at the end of the book.
Buy It on Amazon: Changes of Mind: A Holonomic Theory of the Evolution of Consciousness (S U N Y Series in the Philosophy of Psychology)
See Articles at the End of this Page About the Spiral

MESSAGES FROM WATER by Masaru Emoto
Scientist Emoto has explored the inter-relationship of sound and the water in our bodies and on the planet hoping to discover insights about our quality of life. He and his assistants conducted many experiments exploring the influence of sound, written words, and prayer on the water. The crystal formations that resulted from these experiments show amazing results. Beautiful crystals are formed from Beethoven's works. Ugly ones arise from violent music. Makes you wonder what effect sound has on our inner beings. The photography of the crystals is amazing.
Buy It on Amazon: Messages from Water

THE NOT SO BIG LIFE - making room for what really matters  by Sarah Susanka
Renowned architect and culture mover, Sarah Susanka uses her insights about the Not So Big House by adapting
architectural insights to a life that is more meaningful and less frantic. Her stories and exercises are things she has lived so she speaks authentically. The book helps you explore what matters to you versus what is cluttering your life and stealing your time. From there it is on to how to remodel your behavior so you can live your dreams.
Buy It on Amazon: The Not So Big Life: Making Room for What Really Matters

YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin
I've gone back to this book recently and have rediscovered more insights. The book is set up with a process to explore what has and is and could happen with you and your money. One exercise has you total how much money you have made in your life and think about where it went. That was interesting. While you may not want to follow the path they lay out entirely, you will find lots of food for thought about the way you manage money and your life. They provide charts and detailed steps.
Buy It on Amazon: Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence: Revised and Updated for the 21st Century

Recommended Articles for Spiral Dynamics

(see "What is Spiral Dynamics Integral?" under About on the main menu)

http://www.spiraldynamics.net/ Dr. Don Beck's website and training schedule.

http://www.enlightennext.org/magazine/spiral/ Articles by Dr. Don Beck

http://www.humanemergence.org/ Large scale systems change based on this model