Words ignite ideas, and they breathe life into the world.

Those same words come together, and with a stroke of a pen, they bring people books. Books have a lasting impact because they spread remarkable thoughts like wildfire. People read them, and their impact is spread all over the globe.

From the Torah, written before 1000 CE to The Da Vinci Code of the early 2000s, books stretching between time periods spread hope, direction, and truth to people, while also sparking both controversy and discourse.

These powerful books question political thought, scientific research, and faith, and their literary and philosophical themes are a reflection of each unique writer.

Sun Tzu wrote his battle theories in The Art of War, Stephen Hawking explained his views of reality through The Brief History of Time, and George Orwell illustrated his haunting vision of a dystopian society restricting the freedom of thought in 1984.

To celebrate books that have made the largest impact, Largest put together this list highlighting some of their favorites through time.

These works should be on everyone’s must-read list. Crack open the pages and enter a deep, intimate conversation between a select group of leaders and revolutionists of life. Prepare to absorb yourself in their view of the world!

Check out the infographic below at click the link at the end for a deeper dive into each book.