My Holiday Reading List
A great feature of the Claremont Review of Books, a conservative book review known to many members of Ricochet, is its annual Holiday Reading List.
My three selections below:
My reading of novels that gave rise to BBC series continues. Last year it was the Sharpe military adventures. This year, it is Aurelio Zen detective novels by Michael Dibdin. Even though I have long been an admirer of Italy, past and present, and have traveled there several times, I did not understand modern Italian society until I had read these novels. They express Italians' love of la dolce vita, their sufferance of corruption, their rootedness in their cities and history, and their entrepreneurship like no movie or short visit can. Each book in the series is set in a different Italian city, and while they tell the story of a murder mystery, they also serve as an introduction to the unique culture of the region—by the end, you understand that Italy may not be a real nation-state, but city-states living in a sort of sibling rivalry with each other.
The Idea of America: Reflections on the Birth of the United States, by Gordon Wood
Wood's recent collection of essays on the American Revolution, founding, and the early national period, in some ways, are even more rewarding than his great masterworks, such as the Creation of the American Republicand The Radicalism of the American Revolution. He explains why his decision to approach the founding period through a history of ideas was so revolutionary both then and now. To someone who is interested in the separation of powers, Wood's essay on monarchism versus republicanism in Early America adds new light on the origins of the Presidency. The book leaves you with an appreciation of this great historian's work ethic, deep insight, and love for his country.Law without Nations?: Why Constitutional Government Requires Sovereign States, by Jeremy Rabkin
Allow another opportunity for self-advertising. I'm finishing up a book on how the American constitutional system can respond to globalization, and why the United States should reject the New Deal-style changes to government advocated by internationalists (e.g., more delegation of powers to unaccountable international organizations, broader national powers at state expense). While writing the book, I turned to Rabkin for a broader perspective. Rabkin explains why nationalism remains important in the world, and that the shift of sovereignty to international organizations will not only reduce nations, but also the bonds between citizens and their countries. If anyone is leading the push back against the spread of international law and institutions at the expense of national sovereignty, it is Rabkin.
What will Ricocheteers be reading over the Christmas holidays and giving as gifts?
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Feb '11
Re: My Holiday Reading List
Mostly history and biography. I am finishing Gordon Rhea's fourth volume on Grant's overland campaign and am about to start Harry Pfanz's three volume Gettysburg set. Also in the queue is Robert Massie's Catherine the Great and Peter the Great, Ian Kershaw's Fateful Choices, Tim Jeal's Explores of the Nile, Elizabeth Lev's Tigress of Forli, and Nathaniel Philbrick's In the Heart of the Sea. Not much in the way of current affairs. It tends to give me indigestion.
Oct '11
Re: My Holiday Reading List
Mark Hemingway's references on NR and (recently) Twitter have convinced me to read more David Foster Wallace, so I should get a good chance to make headway into Infinite Jest. I have a collection of Martin Amis tales and interviews from the 80's that I've been waiting to finish. Nothing particularly conservative or historical, though Amis had made a few mentions on how much he hates Reagan.
Some great adventure in there, Snow Bird. I read a little bit of Jeal when I was doing something on Sir Richard Francis Burton. They just don't make them like that anymore.
Feb '11
Re: My Holiday Reading List
QuickerBrownFox:
Some great adventure in there, Snow Bird. I read a little bit of Jeal when I was doing something on Sir Richard Francis Burton. They just don't make them like that anymore.
There is also a biography of Burton in my pile.
Feb '11
Re: My Holiday Reading List
After listening to Niall Ferguson interviewed on the Medved show ,I thought I would give "Civilization" a whirl. I have been purchasing more and more hardcover books lately, and my "Kindle" has been collecting dust.
Mar '11
Re: My Holiday Reading List
I'm reading The Histories by Herodotus right now. Victor Davis Hanson's The End of Sparta is on my Christmas list.
Jul '10
Re: My Holiday Reading List
I'm reading "Colonel Roosevelt" by Edmund Morris in addition to VDH's excellent "End of Sparta." Will soon start "Knights of Bushido" about the post-war investigation into Japanese war crimes in Asia.