The days of reading whatever tickled my fancy are over — at least for now.
The PhDs in my life have me reading all of the following, all at once:
- Genesis
- The Koran
- Saul Alinsky
- Tao Te Ching
- Sam Huntington
- Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Federalist Papers
- MLK, Lincoln, Douglas speeches
- Hobbes
- Aristotle
It’s good to shore up my base understanding of the classic works in politics, philosophy, religion, etc.
Whoa! That’s a great list! Do let us know more about what you’re reading from time to time.
Also, in the case of the religious books, and my dear Aristotle, translations are everything, so I’d recommend taking the time to compare and contrast (for something like the Tao Te Ching, this can make it a much richer experience).
I first read The Federalist Papers during breaks in my factory job working at a ski goggle factory. Everyone else seemed to go outside to smoke a cigarette, so I stayed inside with the chemical fumes and read the Federalist Papers, the Gulag Archipelago, and Joseph Lash’s biographies of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt. Then I’d get back to washing 570 lenses a day. When I got to college, one of my professors encouraged me to take his class in the Federalist Papers. I said, “But I already read them.” It wasn’t exactly pleasant reading, so I wasn’t anxious to take an entire class where all I’d do was read them again. Now, of course, I’m thinking I should re-read them. Sounds like a good start on the old-fashioned liberal arts education.
What classes are you taking?
Yo’ull like Alinsky, trust me.
Has anyone read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand? There’s an article about it in the NY times today, which makes me want to read it. Here’s the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/15/business/15atlas.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5090&en=8fc42c2f2603a791&ex=1347508800&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
It’s one of the most influential books ever written. You should read it.
Wow, I have read a few of those in my day. What classes are you taking. Philosophy? History?