/sci/ - Science & Math

I've recently started looking into computer science for a backup to my intended career and I've found that I've really become interested in the subject. What books would give me a understanding in compsci comparable to someone who got a degree in it. I just want a very solid base of knowledge. I heard snowden was making like 200,000 a year and never went to college, how do I do that?

As of right now I have the Dragon book, Intro to algorithms by Cormen, the yellow book by rob miles, and algorithms by sedgewick. I only ask because the guide doesn't elaborate very well on the books it recommends and I imagine some of you have some books you swear by. Thanks /sci/.