Books
Originally Posted on September 27th, 2007:I’ve been reading alot lately. I’ve had this insatiable desire to read everything I can get my hands on–I’ve even gone so far as to set aside $200 a month for books from Amazon.com. I never really read much other than the occasional political book or novel. Well, outside of countless computer-related books. Currently, I’m drawing from two sources for what books I’m reading.
The first list can be found here: http://als.lib.wi.us/Collegebound.html . This consists mainly of classic books and others that everyone ought to read. Before now, I’d read a few of them. I didn’t know what I was missing out on.
The second list can be found in the “Readings” portion of each class found here, at MIT’s Open Courseware, and mainly consist of political science-related books. Between the two lists, there are about 400 books I intend to read in the next three or so years. I even have private wish-lists for each of them on Amazon to keep track of it.
Here are my thoughts on the most recent books I’ve read:
1) The Diary of a Young Girl, Definitive Edition: I wish I would have read this when I was 14. I can remember myself relating to it at one time. It was difficult for me to get into at first due to the narrative style of it, but once I put myself in the shoes of Ms. Anne Frank, it was a real page-turner. I was enthralled in the book up until the rather abrupt end and even cried after reading the epilogue. I think this book could have the greatest impact among young teenagers, but is definitely a worthwhile read for all ages.
2) Go Tell it on the Mountain: This book had me for the first thirty pages or so, but became increasingly hard to follow due to the author’s shift from elegant descriptions to the common vernacular of turn-of-the-century African Americans. Once I finally got into the flow, it was difficult at times to know whose story I was reading, as there was not much of a warning before changing settings and perspectives throughout the book. About halfway through, it was easier to read. Definitely recommended for the insights into the trials and triumphs surrounding the circumstances of the human condition. It’s a reminder that the more some things change, the more they stay the same, as well as the emphasis on doing what you need to do in spite of everything else. I’d have liked the story to continue a little longer, mainly to see what becomes of John and Roy in the face of their father’s ways.
3) Fahrenheit 451: A friend of mine told me this was a good read, but was largely irrelevant nowadays. Actually, I found it to be quite the contrary, as the underlying theme of this book (as explained by the nefarious Beatty) can be seen happening all around us. While I doubt the government will place a ban on books, I certainly wouldn’t be surprised at a “V for Vendetta”-esque type of censorship coming about some day, what with how far the ideology in this country has shifted to the right. Either way, the basic premise is true in that people have chosen this path: entertainment has become more important than education. Opinion trumps knowledge. The hedonist is more revered than the scholar. You can see the effects of society such as those that affected the protagonist’s wife, Mildred, all around us. I’m sure everyone knows someone who is so detached from the world that soap operas, Oprah and Sex and the City are more real than world hunger or the war in Iraq. Thinking about it chills me to the bone.
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Next on the list is Hobbes’ Leviathan. After that I’m going to take it a bit easier with Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” and Rousseau’s “Basic Political Writings” before jumping into Aristotle’s “The Politics” and “The Portable Machiavelli.” I’ll post some reviews when I’m done with them.
In other news, I’ve decided to go back to school for political science. I have no real intention of becoming a lawmaker, but would definitely accept an academic position somewhere. My goal: Doctorate. I figure that by the time I’m done with my masters, I ought to be able to get some work as a research assistant or something field-related while completing my degree. I’ve read more than one of the colleges that offer it provide substantial funding to those seeking a doctorate, which gives me hope that it shouldn’t be too difficult to maintain the costs of living while living my dreams.
Wish me luck!