There are several books that I am actively reading at this time. They are A Conflict of Visions (again), Basic Economics (again in revised version), and Affirmative Action Around the World all three by Thomas Sowell, God's Politics by Jim Wallis, Scalia Dissents by Kevin Ring, and The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel. In selecting books to read, it is often helpful to read reviews by others who have read those under consideration. Such reviews needn't necessarily be positive, but they should at least demonstrate a familiarity with the topic either because of or prior to the reading, deference and generosity toward the author, and the general sagacity and wit of an intelligent and honorable human being. Some of those who write reviews of conservative books in such places as Amazon.com exhibit none of these characteristics. It is almost as if there are Leftist web gangs who troll for conservative titles and then slam what they find with "reviews" that demonstrate fantastic stupidity, complete ignorance of the topic, and personal insipidity. These "reviewers" clearly do not read the books and have an utter disdain for the authors and their ideas. One "review" of Thomas Sowell's new book, Affirmative Action Around the World, An Empirical Study demonstrates this phenomenon very effectively. After giving the book one star—presumably because he could not give it a zero—an anonymous "reader" had the following to say about it:
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Thursday, October 20, 2005
Reading List
- Louisa May Alcott: Little Women: Children Classics (Children's Classics Series)
A children's classic that I have read for the first time. This version includes some wonderful color and black and white illustrations. I had not known the wonderful morals that this story instills, but I found them to be both entertaining and inspirational. I wish I had taken them to heart in my youth. This book is a great read, and I strongly recommend it. (*****) Kevin A. Ring: Scalia Dissents : Writings of the Supreme Court's Wittiest, Most Outspoken Justice
A recent mild controversy arose concerning the possibility of President Bush nominating Justice Antonin Scalia to be Chief Justice in the event of the demise or retirement of Chief Justice Rehnquist. It was said that the President preferred Scalia because he was a "strict constructionist", but Justice Scalia vigorously rejects the label. I have heard him in more than one speech unequivocally declare, "I am not a strict constructionist." If you would like to find out what his judicial philosophy is, this is the book for you. Sometimes, it is difficult to understand why Scalia voted the way he did on some ruling. This book reveals the man behind the opinions and helps us to understand him better. (*****)WINSTON S. CHURCHILL: The Great Republic : A History of America
A fascinating history of the United States written by one of its greatest "foreign" sons. Churchill (1874-1965), who was the Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1940-1955, acknowledging the "special relationship" between Great Britain and the United States, dedicated his history of what he fondly called "The Great Republic" "To the hero generation of the English-speaking peoples who, by their courage and sacrifice, and that of their allies, liberated Europe and saved the world from Hitler." This book is a celebration of the existence of the United States warts and all. If you hate the United States, you will hate this book. Otherwise, you will love it. (*****)Hernando De Soto: The Mystery of Capital: Why Capitalism Triumphs in the West and Fails Everywhere Else
A powerful book that exposes the secret causes of the great economic divide between the first world and the third. But instead of just explaining or complaining, Mr. De Soto—no relation to the great explorer—provides real, workable solutions to bring first world prosperity to his country, Peru, and all others like it. (*****)Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice - Mansfield Park - Persuasion
A delighful compilation of three of Jane Austen's classic novels: Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, and Persuasion. Caution: such reading can be addictive—even to a middle-aged man such as myself. (*****)Mona Charen: Useful Idiots : How Liberals Got It Wrong in the Cold War and Still Blame America First
A very thought provoking book the name of which is taken from a description of American Liberals and media types widely attributed, though never confirmed, to Vladimir Lenin. This book, sporting photos of such persons as Hillary Clinton, Tom Brokaw, Phil Donahue, and Jimmy Carter on the cover, seeks to counter Leftist revisionism by exposing their record of support of communism and the Soviet Union during the Twentieth Century. (*****)Thomas Sowell: Basic Economics: A Citizen's Guide to the Economy
The first of Thomas Sowell's two excellent works on economics. By it, Sowell seeks to introduce basic concepts of economics to the general public without the technical details usually found in economics texts. (*****)Harry J. Gensler: Introduction to Logic
Undergradaute (300 level) course on Logic which is simply the best that I have ever seen. (*****)Ken Alder: The Measure of All Things : The Seven-Year Odyssey and Hidden Error That Transformed the World
The amazing story of the utopian dream and human failure from which the metric system emerged. (*****)William H. Rehnquist: The Supreme Court
A 2001 update of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court's 1987 history of the Court. This is an excellent and insightful history of the Court from its first major decision Marbury v. Madison (1803) through the end of the Warren Court (1968). The last few chapters also explain the operation of the Court from the granting of certiorari to final ruling. (*****)
