Seeing Like a State

Who recommended it

1. 

   Brian Eno Musician, producer and visual artist

   Canon selection

   First title on the 20-book list Eno suggested for Long Now's Manual for Civilization.

   Brian Eno's books for the Manual for Civilization↗ Organization pagelongnow.org The Long Now Foundation · 28 Feb 2014 · checked 12 Nov 2026

Also picked by Brian Eno

• 3recommenders
  A Pattern LanguageChristopher Alexander

  
  A Pattern Language Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa and Murray Silverstein · 1977 3 recommendersPatrick Collison, Stewart Brand, Brian Eno
• 3recommenders
  The DiscoverersDaniel J. Boorstin

  
  The Discoverers Daniel J. Boorstin · 1983 3 recommendersStewart Brand, Kevin Kelly, Brian Eno
• 2recommenders
  A History of the World in 100 ObjectsNeil MacGregor

  
  A History of the World in 100 Objects Neil MacGregor · 2010 2 recommendersStewart Brand, Brian Eno
• 2recommenders
  Civilization and Capitalism, 15th–18th CenturyFernand Braudel

  
  Civilization and Capitalism, 15th–18th Century Fernand Braudel · 1979 2 recommendersBrian Eno, Neal Stephenson
• The Mind in the CaveDavid Lewis-Williams

  
  The Mind in the Cave David Lewis-Williams · 2002 Picked by Brian Eno
• Crowds and PowerElias Canetti
  Crowds and Power Elias Canetti · 1960 Picked by Brian Eno
• Keeping Together in TimeWilliam H. McNeill

  
  Keeping Together in Time William H. McNeill · 1997 Picked by Brian Eno
• The Face of BattleJohn Keegan

  
  The Face of Battle John Keegan · 1976 Picked by Brian Eno

• 5recommenders
  Democracy in AmericaAlexis de Tocqueville
  Democracy in America Alexis de Tocqueville · 1835 +25 recommendersPatrick Collison, Francis Fukuyama, Karl Rove, Robert Reich, Mark Manson
• 5recommenders
  Zero to OnePeter Thiel

  
  Zero to One Peter Thiel · 2001 DF+25 recommendersLuis von Ahn, Darius Foroux, Mark Manson, Eric Jorgenson, Codie Sanchez
• 4recommenders
  A Tale of Two CitiesCharles Dickens

  
  A Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens · 1800 +14 recommendersMuhammad Yunus, Jeffrey Archer, Antonio Villaraigosa, Mark Manson
• 4recommenders
  How to Win Friends and Influence PeopleDale Carnegie

  
  How to Win Friends and Influence People Dale Carnegie · 1936 DF+14 recommendersMike Huckabee, James Clear, Darius Foroux, Mark Manson