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Which Books Did It?
At NRO, Jay Nordlinger discusses books that changed the way readers thought of the world. Jay’s full article is available at National Review Online. An eclectic array of books, not surprisingly, are mentioned, from Milton Friedman and Malcolm Muggeridge to Victor Hugo and Dostoevsky. Pretty much to the moon and back.
Jay to readers, “What book or books made an impression on you, or set you on fire? What book or books were key in the formation of your politics, or worldview?”
The responses are varied: long, short, intellectual, intensely personal. “Some books are familiar, even canonical; others are obscure,” acknowledges Jay.
One reader praises Louis L’Amour, even though there are those who belittle his books.
That reader credits L’Amour for making him want to be a cowboy. Thanks to L’Amour, he also craved education, hard work, and learning to punch hard and first when needed.
Jay asked Charles Krauthammer long ago something like, “How did you come to think the way you do?”
(Krauthammer) said that, in college, he read Berlin’s Four Essays on Liberty. He thought, This is right. This is true. And he never looked back.
In 1997, when Berlin died, Krauthammer wrote a column of appreciation. “The idea of limited government has triumphed,” he said. “But the moment may not last. The pluralism Berlin championed will be challenged again.”
The impact of Thomas Sowell has been great, contends Jay Nordlinger.
Many readers mentioned Sowell’s books on economics, sociology, politics, etc.
I once asked Sowell if there a book that people should read if they want a kind of Sowell 101? An essential Thomas Sowell?
Sowell answered, “It depends on what they’re interested in.”
From another reader:
It wasn’t until I read Black Rednecks and White Liberals that the whole reality of race in America came into focus. The philosophy department where I worked was discarding the book from its library (along with many ancient classics, regrettably), and I grabbed it because I was intrigued by the unusual and provocative title. What a lucky break!
Have an interesting weekend.
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