My response to Perilous Times is forthcoming (maybe Monday), but while it’s fresh in my mind I want to encourage readers to consider joining our little Book Club. We’ve had a solid group of four to five people each time and some great discussion (we actually talk about the book, not simply gossip), but a few more would richen the discussion and give more of a quorum. We’re taking a break for the holidays but will resume in January. I welcome you to join us then, and in the meanwhile to post your ideas here in the comments.
What do we read? "General-interest yet substantial nonfiction" I wrote in my first post:
I’m imagining a focus on economics, history and sociology, with other social sciences and cultural studies thrown in. That could include newer books that everyone is talking about (Freakonomics or Guns, Germs and Steel), academic crossover works (Baghwati’s In Defense of Globalization or David Greenberg’s book on Nixon), or classics I’ve never read (Hofstadter’s American Political Tradition, Lippman’s Public Opinion or Daniel Bell’s Cultural Contradictions of Capitalism).
Of course, this definition is partly in the eye of the beholder - and maybe presumes a familiarity with the overall schtick I have on this blog - but it’s served pretty well for our readings so far. I’m not adverse to political work, but want something more than extended op-eds. In other words, by substantial I’m referring to books that provide analysis, however modest or reader-friendly, not just polemicize or ruminate on the topic at hand. I think it’s good to stay with the focus (social science/history focus, with some cultural criticism) and mix (best seller, crossover-academic, and classic). I would like to see us tackle a couple of "classic" books, and maybe throw in a non-best-seller or two. I’ll toss out some more ideas below and urge readers to do the same. We hope to come up with a list of books in advance.
Suggestions given to me:
- Sontag, On Photography
- Jane Jacobs, Life and Death of American Cities
Suggestions above:
- Bell, Cultural Contradictions of Capitalism
- Hofstadter, American Political Tradition
- Lippman, Public Opinion
- Greenberg, Nixon’s Shadow
Additional suggestions:
- Peter Bearman, Doormen
- Edward Jay Epstein, The Big Picture
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