Monday, April 9, 2007

Culture for All book club

In light of all the recent troubles with the world, I figured that Culture for All should have a book club. I think that it would be nice to have a place where we all read books of relevance, and then discuss them. The first book on the list is Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Infidel. I am halfway through this book, and I feel it is so great, that all Culture for All readers should read this, in order to discuss the implications of what Ms. Hirsi Ali brings up in her life story. I have found her life to be so compelling, so astonishing, that I think everyone who can read this book, should. Here are some other books I have in mind, after Infidel... 1) Man's Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl - One man, a world reknowned psychotherapist, discusses his experience in Auschwitz, and how he has observed that those who had a reason to live were much more likely to survive. It is an inspirational story, and shows how nihilism may lead to the death of the West. 2) Restoring Free Speech and Liberty on Campus, by Donald Downs - I have not read this book yet, but I have it from Amazon. Mr. Downs discusses how campus speech codes and political correctness has led to an atomsphere of repression and lack of real learning on college campuses he gives his prescription over how to change things, and traces the history of this development. 3) The Middle East, by Bernard Lewis - Gives an overview of the history of the Middle East. great primer, lacks Said-ian political correctness. 4) The New Concise History of the Crusades, by Thomas Madden - An un-PC history of the crusades. Essential reading, given the history of the Crusades apparently is still being debated. 5) In Spite of the Gods, by Edward Luce - A concise book, explaining the rise of modern India. For those who crave an understanding of modern India, this is one of the best books out there. I gained invaluable insights into India, and exactly how and why things are how they are, by reading this book. Of course, it tells one side of the story - but it's a story you rarely hear. ------------------------- Thsoe five books are future books planned for the Culture for All book club. But first of all - Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Infidel. Anyone who can get a hold of it, please do! I would love everyone's thoughts about this very powerful tome.

4 comments:

Irina Tsukerman said...

Well, of the least, I've already read The Middle East, so I'm up to discussing that any time (I *love* Bernard Lewis's writings. All of them.) As for the rest... *sigh*, they'll probably have to wait till my first year in law school is OVER.

Anonymous said...

Dang you, RT. Now you're handing out reading assignments. This will be especially difficult given my time constraints (the little dashings) and the need to finish the book/cd series Financial Peace that my small group Bible study has chosen. In addition, I just started Natan Sharansky's The Case for Democracy. But I did intend to read AHA's Infidel in the future. So, I guess it's now next on the list.

:)

Thomas Forsyth said...

I have read Bernard Lewis's books, but I think I missed The Middle East. I will definitely look for those books in my library.

I just checked out a few books today, including Leon Uris's Exodus.

Kevin said...

I'd also recommend this book:
Sophie Scholl And the White Rose by Annette Dumbach and Jud Newborn.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie_Scholl

It may seem futile to Red Tulips, but i think it's a worthwhile read of how people die fighting for what they believe is correct. It also gives an account of Nazi Germany from a German perspective. Something that is worthwhile in historical terms.

I think i have that Bernard Lewis book floating around, i have not finished reading it as yet.