Thanks for contributing Joel! I hope it will inspire readers to pick up some tangible books and I will certainly keep my eyes open for some of these volumes in my used bookstore visits.
Re the ebook vs physical book in libraries point - I also worry that ebooks will be edited/amended/not available due to deemed 'objectional content'. This already happens with films on streaming or digital libraries. I've had a few weird moments lately where the DVD version and the streaming version are different, with scenes cut from major motion pictures on the streaming version.
Good point. I have started collecting some classic DVDs as well (most recently a Hitckcock collection, Master and Commander, and The Shawshank Redemption). Thanks for your contributions!
I have much appreciation for this piece. Thank you.
“The problem isn’t just that there’s so much knowledge out there, but that our motivation is driven by the pursuit of personal satisfaction rather than the pursuit of truth.”
The quote above reminds me as a writer of what I am up against… and presses my creativity muscle to explore how my work might be “yes, and”… honoring truth as I see it as well as providing accessibility to those looking to be entertained.
Also… I had no idea that digital library books are subject to re-writing. Fascinating!
A couple of months ago I made a conscious decision to discontinue producing digital versions of my books. 🤔 The idea came because I've started illustrating my prose and I feel a book with illustrations (especially color) is a work of art that should be held in the hands. Now I have another thought supporting my decision.
A lesser-known but excellent set of American history books for middle school and up is the Drama of American History series by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier. The set is arranged chronologically and topically and goes into much more depth than is typical for this age level—it is helpful for adults, too. There are 23 volumes in total and they can be found individually on used book sites (as library discards).
I especially like the MSG analogy here; it made me think of salt in cooking and how salt enhances all other flavors; perhaps salt is like truth in that it enhances our ability to understand everything? Not sure exactly how the metaphor would work but I feel like it’s there somewhere…
In the past year I've been found two authors, one a scientist, one a historian, that together give a coherent, and compelling perspective on the de-spiritualization of the West.
Wolfgang Smith. (the scientist) - I recommend Cosmos and Transcendence: Breaking Through the Barrier of Scientistic Belief. It includes a 'history of science' of the last 400 years, along with his scientific and metaphysical critique (from a traditionalist Catholic, metaphysical as well as scientific persepctice).
Carlos Erie (The historian) - He has a massive tome (800 pages or so) titled Reformations: The Early Modern World, 1450 - 1650. It gives an excellent overview, loaded with specific historical examples of the major shifts in consciousness and the understanding of the relationship of the material and spiritual worlds in this era of Western European History. His shorter book on a more radical topic, They Flew: A History of the Impossible, covers roughly the same time period, but focuses on accounts (of which there are many) of levitation and bilocation occurring alongside the dawning of the materialist worldview, and how it is that these phenomena and the worldview that would come to deem them impossible coexisted in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Together, these books have helped a great deal with my 'unlearning' much of the materialist view of history (and science) that I received in my public school education.
Many wonderful recommendations here! Thanks, Ruth & Peco.
Regarding the encyclopedia, we got ours at a library book sale when our eldest was just a baby. The kids use it all the time and I am constantly hunting down volumes that someone has taken to a bedroom to just read. I highly recommend trying to get one somehow.
Thanks Dixie! Feel free to add some suggestions for the high school/younger reader section if you can think of any. Also, sneaking books is better than sneaking cookies :)
Although, one time I made the mistake of trying to eat cookies while reading Hilary Mantel's historical novel Wolf Hall...big mistake. Very violent!
I do like the Catholic Textbook Project's narrative textbooks for those who are looking for a Catholic perspective for their young people. And I also do recommend the Oxford series for United States history, which you already have in your list, for adult or advanced high school reading! You'd get a very broad and deep introduction to the political and intellectual history of the nation by systematically reading these books, which are by outstanding historians. A readable single-volume option is Wilfrid McClay's "Land of Hope," which also comes in a version for young people.
I would also encourage people who like history to read widely among monographs by historians. Lots and lots of these books are highly readable, intriguing, and fascinating. I realize that I'm a weirdo (and a professional historian) but some of these are so good that I reread them for pleasure: Vickers, "Young Men and the Sea;" Mintz, "Huck's Raft;" Fenn, "Pox Americana;" McGreevy, "Catholicism and American Freedom;" I could go on and on. Brad Gregory's books, at least one of which is mentioned in your post, are like this. Which one just depends on your particular interests (try Jon Coleman on nature/the American West, or Daniel K. Williams on Evangelicals & politics).
Thanks for adding these recommendations Dixie! Once I catch my breath after compiling this piece, I will sift through the new suggestions and add them in :)
I got an entire set for free from an interior designer who had used them to style bookshelves. (Don't get me started on the concept of buying books by the yard to fill your bookshelves.)
1. "Reclaiming History," by Vincent Bugliosi. In my view, Kennedy assassination conspiracy hypotheses have had a destructive harvest in our society, providing a lot of impetus to the constant human temptation to succumb to the irrational. We're seeing some of its most disgusting fruit in the recent and to me, a 72 year old man, shocking emergence of the unavoidable fact that millions of mostly young, mostly male, Americans have come to think it is credible that Churchill was a villain and that "Zionist financiers" bear much of the responsibility for World War II. To me, born just seven years after Hitler's death, and like most people in my generation, made aware of The Holocaust very early, this is appalling.
I'm convinced that America took its decisive turn toward the irrational with its entertaining of JFK assassination conspiracy hypotheses. Vincent Bugliosi wrote a book which is a brilliant rejoinder to all the lunacy. It's great history, a public service, and I recommend it to all who may think that the official narrative of the assassination is a distorted narrative.
2. Man does not live by bread alone, but in an "under the sun" appraisal of life, bread has been found to be helpful, as have many other things, one of the foremost being great music. The second book I recommend is not just a book of great musicology, but of great history and of lucid, elegant writing, Richard Sudhalter's "Lost Chords." The book was published in 1999, and certainly could not be published today. ( We are, after all, governed by irrationality. ) Sudhalter was an excellent jazz musician, who knew that in this case, the official narrative of the beginning and development of jazz was, indeed, distorted. The distortion may have been well intended, but it was a very early expression of the DEI mentality. The true story of how jazz came to be is so interesting it begs attention. I read this book so compulsively I broke its spine and had to buy a second copy.
3. Edmund Wilson had a way with titles. His book, "Patriotic Gore," has the explanatory subtitle, "Studies in the Literature of the American Civil War." Wilson's ability to draw on the most eclectic, tangential sources because they wrote something of interest which pertained to the war is remarkable. Along with "Lost Chords," it's one of my favorite books.
As a liberal arts history major, I applaud this effort! Just two days ago I picked up Charles Van Doren's A History of Knowledge (1991) for 99 cents at Goodwill. It looks good!
Thank you for this resource! At least once a week I recommend "Why You Think The Way You Do: The Story of Western Worldviews from Rome to Home" by Glenn Sunshine https://amzn.to/3B6L7Hk
This is a tremendous resource. Thanks for compiling this. I am in the process of putting together a library of biographies, specifically those of U.S. Presidents. It is an interesting process, sorting through everything. I have found a few biographers I trust such as Jon Meacham, David McCullough, Ron Chernow, and Walter Isaacson.
Ruth and Peco, you have perfectly articulated this moment in our history. Thank you for the food metaphors -- they really capture the essence of what we are "consuming" as a culture, and how it is "prepared" for us.
I'm struggling with what you've provided in the way of resources (a monumental task, and much-needed as the digital beast swallows everything whole and regurgitates its own platters of "truth"), as it relates to the concept of information gatekeeping. A prime example is the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, which early church fathers specifically excluded (among other gospels) from the Bible in order to shape the Christian faith in a certain way. They were successful for thousands of years, until her gospel -- saved by a few renegade monks -- was unearthed.
If we depend on the transmission of history to tell us the truth, aren't we essentially playing a very long game of "operator," with -- in general, not always -- the most powerful starting the calls?
I ask, not to diminish this excellent essay or your work to preserve knowledge. I'm really just curious what you think, and what others think as well. Best.
What an incredible reading list! If someone is looking to build a great history library for themselves, this is a fantastic place to start.
Thanks for contributing Joel! I hope it will inspire readers to pick up some tangible books and I will certainly keep my eyes open for some of these volumes in my used bookstore visits.
Re the ebook vs physical book in libraries point - I also worry that ebooks will be edited/amended/not available due to deemed 'objectional content'. This already happens with films on streaming or digital libraries. I've had a few weird moments lately where the DVD version and the streaming version are different, with scenes cut from major motion pictures on the streaming version.
Good point. I have started collecting some classic DVDs as well (most recently a Hitckcock collection, Master and Commander, and The Shawshank Redemption). Thanks for your contributions!
I have much appreciation for this piece. Thank you.
“The problem isn’t just that there’s so much knowledge out there, but that our motivation is driven by the pursuit of personal satisfaction rather than the pursuit of truth.”
The quote above reminds me as a writer of what I am up against… and presses my creativity muscle to explore how my work might be “yes, and”… honoring truth as I see it as well as providing accessibility to those looking to be entertained.
Also… I had no idea that digital library books are subject to re-writing. Fascinating!
Thanks for your kind words. Yes, digital books may seem convenient but they are not static.
A couple of months ago I made a conscious decision to discontinue producing digital versions of my books. 🤔 The idea came because I've started illustrating my prose and I feel a book with illustrations (especially color) is a work of art that should be held in the hands. Now I have another thought supporting my decision.
Commendable decision!
A lesser-known but excellent set of American history books for middle school and up is the Drama of American History series by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier. The set is arranged chronologically and topically and goes into much more depth than is typical for this age level—it is helpful for adults, too. There are 23 volumes in total and they can be found individually on used book sites (as library discards).
Thanks for your recommendation Megan!
There is also, it is rumored, of older movies being digitally edited to show geoengineering trails.
I especially like the MSG analogy here; it made me think of salt in cooking and how salt enhances all other flavors; perhaps salt is like truth in that it enhances our ability to understand everything? Not sure exactly how the metaphor would work but I feel like it’s there somewhere…
An excellent metaphor . . . After all, Jesus said we are to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13), preserving his truth.
In the past year I've been found two authors, one a scientist, one a historian, that together give a coherent, and compelling perspective on the de-spiritualization of the West.
Wolfgang Smith. (the scientist) - I recommend Cosmos and Transcendence: Breaking Through the Barrier of Scientistic Belief. It includes a 'history of science' of the last 400 years, along with his scientific and metaphysical critique (from a traditionalist Catholic, metaphysical as well as scientific persepctice).
Carlos Erie (The historian) - He has a massive tome (800 pages or so) titled Reformations: The Early Modern World, 1450 - 1650. It gives an excellent overview, loaded with specific historical examples of the major shifts in consciousness and the understanding of the relationship of the material and spiritual worlds in this era of Western European History. His shorter book on a more radical topic, They Flew: A History of the Impossible, covers roughly the same time period, but focuses on accounts (of which there are many) of levitation and bilocation occurring alongside the dawning of the materialist worldview, and how it is that these phenomena and the worldview that would come to deem them impossible coexisted in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Together, these books have helped a great deal with my 'unlearning' much of the materialist view of history (and science) that I received in my public school education.
Thanks for your recommendations Mark! Will be sure to take a look at these and add them to the list.
Many wonderful recommendations here! Thanks, Ruth & Peco.
Regarding the encyclopedia, we got ours at a library book sale when our eldest was just a baby. The kids use it all the time and I am constantly hunting down volumes that someone has taken to a bedroom to just read. I highly recommend trying to get one somehow.
Thanks Dixie! Feel free to add some suggestions for the high school/younger reader section if you can think of any. Also, sneaking books is better than sneaking cookies :)
Why not sneak both?? Ha! My kids do!
Although, one time I made the mistake of trying to eat cookies while reading Hilary Mantel's historical novel Wolf Hall...big mistake. Very violent!
I do like the Catholic Textbook Project's narrative textbooks for those who are looking for a Catholic perspective for their young people. And I also do recommend the Oxford series for United States history, which you already have in your list, for adult or advanced high school reading! You'd get a very broad and deep introduction to the political and intellectual history of the nation by systematically reading these books, which are by outstanding historians. A readable single-volume option is Wilfrid McClay's "Land of Hope," which also comes in a version for young people.
I would also encourage people who like history to read widely among monographs by historians. Lots and lots of these books are highly readable, intriguing, and fascinating. I realize that I'm a weirdo (and a professional historian) but some of these are so good that I reread them for pleasure: Vickers, "Young Men and the Sea;" Mintz, "Huck's Raft;" Fenn, "Pox Americana;" McGreevy, "Catholicism and American Freedom;" I could go on and on. Brad Gregory's books, at least one of which is mentioned in your post, are like this. Which one just depends on your particular interests (try Jon Coleman on nature/the American West, or Daniel K. Williams on Evangelicals & politics).
And of course, I am an enormous fan of historical fiction as a jumping-off point for children in terms of history. Thoughts and recommendations here: https://hearthandfield.com/when-teaching-children-history-embrace-imagination/#:~:text=The%20facts%20will%20be%20of,the%20importance%20of%20the%20past.
Thanks for adding these recommendations Dixie! Once I catch my breath after compiling this piece, I will sift through the new suggestions and add them in :)
It's funny, I tried not to answer your original post on Notes because I knew I'd overdo it -- and alas, now I have overdone it anyways. Oh, well!
No such thing as overdoing when one is asked to contribute:) Always happy to hear your suggestions!
I got an entire set for free from an interior designer who had used them to style bookshelves. (Don't get me started on the concept of buying books by the yard to fill your bookshelves.)
🤯
I would include in your list Will and Ariel Durant's multi-volume Story of Civilization.
Yes, I actually had this on my personal list and just added it :)
Definitely.
Here are some suggestions:
1. "Reclaiming History," by Vincent Bugliosi. In my view, Kennedy assassination conspiracy hypotheses have had a destructive harvest in our society, providing a lot of impetus to the constant human temptation to succumb to the irrational. We're seeing some of its most disgusting fruit in the recent and to me, a 72 year old man, shocking emergence of the unavoidable fact that millions of mostly young, mostly male, Americans have come to think it is credible that Churchill was a villain and that "Zionist financiers" bear much of the responsibility for World War II. To me, born just seven years after Hitler's death, and like most people in my generation, made aware of The Holocaust very early, this is appalling.
I'm convinced that America took its decisive turn toward the irrational with its entertaining of JFK assassination conspiracy hypotheses. Vincent Bugliosi wrote a book which is a brilliant rejoinder to all the lunacy. It's great history, a public service, and I recommend it to all who may think that the official narrative of the assassination is a distorted narrative.
2. Man does not live by bread alone, but in an "under the sun" appraisal of life, bread has been found to be helpful, as have many other things, one of the foremost being great music. The second book I recommend is not just a book of great musicology, but of great history and of lucid, elegant writing, Richard Sudhalter's "Lost Chords." The book was published in 1999, and certainly could not be published today. ( We are, after all, governed by irrationality. ) Sudhalter was an excellent jazz musician, who knew that in this case, the official narrative of the beginning and development of jazz was, indeed, distorted. The distortion may have been well intended, but it was a very early expression of the DEI mentality. The true story of how jazz came to be is so interesting it begs attention. I read this book so compulsively I broke its spine and had to buy a second copy.
3. Edmund Wilson had a way with titles. His book, "Patriotic Gore," has the explanatory subtitle, "Studies in the Literature of the American Civil War." Wilson's ability to draw on the most eclectic, tangential sources because they wrote something of interest which pertained to the war is remarkable. Along with "Lost Chords," it's one of my favorite books.
Interesting suggestions Bobby!
As a liberal arts history major, I applaud this effort! Just two days ago I picked up Charles Van Doren's A History of Knowledge (1991) for 99 cents at Goodwill. It looks good!
Glad to hear you find value in this effort Joanne :) It is always such a pleasure to come across a great find at the thrift store!
Thank you for this resource! At least once a week I recommend "Why You Think The Way You Do: The Story of Western Worldviews from Rome to Home" by Glenn Sunshine https://amzn.to/3B6L7Hk
Thanks for your recommendation Emily! Will add it soon...
OMG that's long, I got up to blanc mange, very good, very well written and a timely topic
Long indeed, but you could print it out and read it over breakfast :)
This is amazing 👏 thanks for this
This is a tremendous resource. Thanks for compiling this. I am in the process of putting together a library of biographies, specifically those of U.S. Presidents. It is an interesting process, sorting through everything. I have found a few biographers I trust such as Jon Meacham, David McCullough, Ron Chernow, and Walter Isaacson.
Glad you found it useful! If you make a post about your biography collection, let me know and I can link it here :)
Ruth and Peco, you have perfectly articulated this moment in our history. Thank you for the food metaphors -- they really capture the essence of what we are "consuming" as a culture, and how it is "prepared" for us.
I'm struggling with what you've provided in the way of resources (a monumental task, and much-needed as the digital beast swallows everything whole and regurgitates its own platters of "truth"), as it relates to the concept of information gatekeeping. A prime example is the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, which early church fathers specifically excluded (among other gospels) from the Bible in order to shape the Christian faith in a certain way. They were successful for thousands of years, until her gospel -- saved by a few renegade monks -- was unearthed.
If we depend on the transmission of history to tell us the truth, aren't we essentially playing a very long game of "operator," with -- in general, not always -- the most powerful starting the calls?
I ask, not to diminish this excellent essay or your work to preserve knowledge. I'm really just curious what you think, and what others think as well. Best.
What an excellent list. I have some of these volumes, but not many.