Need help with beginner books

<p>I wanna start reading more about
1. philosophy (typically the western clasics)
2. communism
3. george washington
4.quantum physics
5. FDR
6. Chinese philosohpy
7. economics
8. famous 20th or 21st century mathematicians, or ones that have a funny/interesting story.</p>

<p>Can you guys lead me into the right direction as to which books would be good for someone who is just beginning in these areas?</p>