BOOKS!

Book Store and Library | June 8, 2003 | Various

[KC Burke]

Okay, fellow bibliophiles and freerepublic readers wanting to get some ideas on books and periodicals, get ready.

This is the Thread.

I've placed it in General Interest because it isn't a thread about a single book or even about a class of books, but instead, a thread to review once in a while to see what others have found interesting to read and why.

It doesn't need to be renewed daily, the software will keep it down to load-easy size on this wonderful forum. It does need to have a few guidelines for proper functioning however.

First, this is not a competition, we don't need lists longer than 25.

Second, make a point and give an opinion about a book, don't just list it. We know you aren't eloquent; you're here aren't you?

Third, trust us, we know the standard criticisms of the various wings of conservatism toward certain icons. We need no food fights on this thread about paeleocons, neocons, objectivists, libertarians, monarchists, stateists, and anarchists. You are welcome to say you didn't care for a book when it is posted, but make one, and only one, negative post in reference to the posting of a book and trust that readers will get your point. The book can be debated elsewhere in depth; in fact, if you are passionate about the issue, create a thread and rant to your hearts' content.

Fourth, remember that the purpose of the thread is to provide readers of the forum a place to find mention of books that they might want to add to their reading list or library. If a book has been added to the thread, discuss it, but let's not post the same books innumerable times. I will try to do a recapitulation every once in a while to make that point.

[KC Burke]

LOL...and it will be out soon I expect.

[KC Burke]

Ann has a new one coming out as I hear it. Supposed to be out this summer. Do you remember the time I went to a local talk and met her in person? I tried and tried to get Towanda to go with us, but the site split was still too fresh I guess. Ah, those were the days...Clintons everywhere and the fresh feeling we got from Impeaching a vile cuss.

[KC Burke]

I stole your list

Deriliction of Duty - Lt. Col. Robert "Buzz" Patterson
Useful Idiots - Mona Charen
Hatred's Kingdom - Dore Gold
Treason - Ann Coulter
Slander - Ann Coulter
Bias - Bernard Goldberg
Shakedown - Kenneth Timmerman
Kindred Spirit - Notra Trulock
The Worm In The Apple - Peter Brimelow
Let Freedom Ring - Sean Hannity
Savage Nation - Michael Savage
The Last Jihad - Joel Rosenberg
Breakdown - Bill Gertz
Invasion - Michelle Malkin
What's So Great About America - Dinesh D'Souza
The Final Days - Barbara Olson
Hell To Pay - Barbara Olson
The Bias Against Guns - John R. Lott, Jr.
More Guns, Less Crime - John R. Lott, Jr.
The Language Police - Diane Ravitch

But at least I give you credit, lol

[Xthe17th]

Oh, that's just the "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy" section of my Truthbrary. Here's the History section:

• Back To The Republic (retitled Our Republic) - Harry F. Atwood, Hidden Mysteries Books, ISBN 1-883228-14-X
• Republican Basics - Michael Zak, Signature Books, ISBN 0970006322
• What Ever Happened To America? - Jon Christian Ryter, Hallbert Publishing (very poorly edited, though), ISBN 0-87319-049-1
• What's The Difference? Gray Liberal Mush or Vivid Conservative Facts - Mike Thompson, Trafford Publishing, ISBN 1-55395234-0
• Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong - James Loewen, New Press, ISBN 156584100X

[Xthe17th]

There's a whole chapter on Jeckyl Island in Jon Chrystian Ryter's book (see above post). In fact, most of the book follows that money trail. And, if you want still more, there are several Rockefellerish chapters in Mike Thompson's book (again, see above post). Happy reading. Don't get too depressed!

Oh yeah, while we're on the subject, here's another one for the truthbrary's essential stack:
The Law That Never Was - Bill Benson, Constitutional Research and Associates, ISBN#=secret

[amom]

Sorry for the lag in repling. Neice's college graduation tonight which I wouldn't miss for the world.

Yes you remember correctly. The book is by G Edward Griffen and is titled "The Creature from Jekyll Island".
From a review of the book"...To fully comprehend the situation in connection with the U.S. $3.5 trillion national debt, the effects of compound inflation since 1913 (the time around which the Federal Reserve and Income Tax were started), our entry into World War I through the sinking of the Lusitania as well as the current effects of fractional reserve banking, currency backed with T-bonds, the War System, the Mandrake Mechanism and seven reasons why the Federal Reserve Act must be recinded, this is a good place to start..."
Quite a good read for those so inclined. I have pushed a few copies off on friends and haven't done any severe damage yet.

My new favorite is "Grace Will Lead Me Home" A Vietnam Veteran's Testimony by Ronald E Allen and Pastory Jerry Ross. It's actually more of a phamplet and 65 pages short but what a read! They pack a lot into a little! It'll have you laughing in one paragraph and crying in the next only to bring you back up again. Ron has a purple heart and a bronze star with V and now is famous for his kite flying and cave rescues. Quite a guy.

[KC Burke]

Thanks so much for the additions. I figure that cruising through the site noting book comments, I can familiarize some posters with this threads existance. It will take a while, I'm sure.

[amom]

Thanks for the heads up on the additional reading material.

So many books so little time. :-)

[amom]

I did a whole reply to this post last night and see it didn't go thru. *sigh*

Yes I remember very well your jaunt to see Ann. Fun times for sure. I had a few email exchanges with Towanda recently in regards to our Rosie's most recent surgery. She sent along her well wishes. The wounds have not healed much evidently. Sad but choices is what life is all about I suppose.

While we're taking a stroll down memory lane...one of my most favorite times is when we were in the middle of presenting the evidence for the impeachment. That nonstop gathering and printing of the DSL and then handing them to each and every Senator and Rep. What a job. And on this end of the country I burned the DSL to CD and worked up FR jewel case artwork and rode on the tails of the attention the folks in DC were generating out here. Love all that action. The Chinagate project runs a close second. And then of course there are all the other misc research projects we've done over the years.

[KC Burke]

For today I will add a book from 2001 that is still pretty new to most.

It really addresses the question of the force of Christianity at the time of the founding.

On Two Wings, Humble Faith and Common Sense at the American Founding by Michael Novak. (ISBN 1-893554-34-1)

I enjoyed his presentation and his documentation...lol, and I'm not that big on footnotes.

[KC Burke]

I'm currently reading a recent trade paperback edition of 2001s biography of Cicero. I always wanted a good medium length narrative bio on him to read and one is finally available.

Cicero by Anthony Everitt (ISBN 0-375-75895-X)

I'm about halfway through and find it very readable and also informative about the socio-political structure he lived in and furnishing some snap-shot views of his famous contemporaries: Cato, Ceaser, Pompey, etc.

For those not too versed in this period of history, such as this poster, this is very accessible.

[WFTR]

I always recommend Witness, the autobiography of Whitaker Chambers. He was a communist spy in the late 20's and early 30's before breaking with communism and becoming a Christian. He hid from the communists for a while before coming back into public life and eventually becoming an editor at Time/Life. He was a government witness against Alger Hiss at the Hiss perjury trial. I named my website Witness for the Right in honor of Mr. Chambers.

I mentioned a couple of nonfiction books on the other thread, but I'll mention some fiction here. I enjoy the writing of Dean Koontz a great deal. I don't know what his poitical views are, but I think he is generally very respectful towards the conservative view. I like the fact that when he talks about history's all-time killers, he mentions Stalin in the same sentence with Hitler. I think it's good to remind people of the evils of communism. I review one of the more political of his books at Book Review: Dark Rivers of the Heart.

I'll mention others as I think of them.

[KC Burke]

Yes, Witness is certainly in the list of top conservative biographies. For a similar read from a generation later, try David Horowitz's autobiography, Radical Son.

[KC Burke]

I should have pinged you to this thread earlier. I hope to make it an on-going thread on the General Interest forum. I know you can give me a contribution every once in a while and I hope you bookmark it to do so.

[TPartyType]

[KC Burke]

We have neglected to add a book from the huge list of those written by Thomas Sowell, one of my favorites. He is one of the greatest living conservative writers.

[KC Burke]

I guess I will start with one of his "Vision" series.

The Vision of the Anointed, Self-Congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy, by Thomas Sowell (isbn 0-465-08995-x)

This and A Conflict of Visions are probably the best two books on conservative thought published in the last ten years, IMHO.

[KC Burke]

For today I will add:

The New Science of Politics by Eric Voegelin (ISBN 0-226-86114-7)

Now I don't think that Eric V is one to be taken up for light reading. It is like a strong sauce that has been cooked to a heavy reduction. But this was my first exposure to E. V. whom Russell Kirk liked to cite.

And, of course, I can't add Eric without pinging his biggest proponent, betty boop. Now, betty, I hope you have some time to add a list every once in a while. With you, I am going to have to add that you need to add an asterisk to those that we mere mortals can read without our unabridged dictionary, LOL.

[retrokitten]

I'm reading, The Devil and the White City about the making of the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago and a serial killer who was operating near the fair. It is really interesting. I am about halfway through.

This wasn't just a huge undertaking for the city of Chicago, but for the entire United States. There was a worlds fair in Paris a few years before and the French thought that this was the end all be all of worlds fairs and that the US could never have one as brilliant. Stupid French.

The story of the serial killer is equally as interesting. He operated a house of horrors just down the street from the fair. It's a very bizarre story. People around him just kept disappearing and he would just weave these stories that were believable enough to keep people from calling the police.

[KC Burke]

Thanks for the addition. Can you add the name of the author when you have time?

I need some posters that read fiction as I lean toward the non-fiction side too much for most thread visitors. You fiction readers go through a lot of books, I know because my wife is one.