Literature Recommendations & Discussion (Read 624 times)

[lazulum]

These are all major influences on my worldview and I believe they would have anyone understand the world better if read with an open mind. However, as with all gravely serious non-fiction, read these responsibly. They are like fine grappa, let it settle and soberly appreciate the taste and smoothness of it.

I will reiterate, these subjects and literature require a very sober mind to parse properly. Be patient, always be of open mind, and most importantly, arrive at your own conclusions. But also be willing to amend said conclusions and to discuss in good faith those conclusions.

I have many more recommendations, but I tried to keep this list short.


----[GENERAL - Politics/Philosophy/etc.]----

The Secret of Our Success - Henrich
> Often neglected, it is not human or biological evolution that drives the success of some societies or men over others. It is rather the phenomenon of "cultural evolution". Modern society is possible because of the conectedness of the still-not-caught-up man with these cultures, lest he be severed and become another example of the "Tasmania Effect"

Orthodoxy - Gilbert-Keith Chesterton
> One of the finer pieces in the genre of apologetics. One does not need to be a Catholic (as I am not) to appreciate the thoughts of Chesterton put to text.

In Defense of Sanity - Gilbert-Keith Chesterton
> Assorted essays from G.K. Chesterton ranging from topics such as logic itself to topics as simple as rain and its beauty. A good collection for he who has not denied the romantic in his heart.

Riding the Tiger - Julius Evola
> The crisis of "surrealism" that has proliferated in modern times. A good read on the topic, of course as with any book of this sort you will not (and should not) agree with everything. The dynamics between and synthesization of many different thoughts, views, concepts, etc., is very important.

The Vision of the Anointed - Thomas Sowell
> A mapping out of the strategies and tendencies of a particularly odious group of bad-faith political actors that he has dubbed "the anointed"

The System's Neatest Trick - Ted K.
> A commentary on the plexus that is the "system" by which America is organized and animated under

Industrial Society and its Future - Ted K.
> Similar to Thomas Sowell's Anointed, but much more on the psychology rather than the strategies.

The Road to Serfdom - Friedrich Hayek
> It's really more of a pamphlet but I have included it for two reasons: (1) it is very accessible (Constitution of Liberty is better, but it is dense), (2) it is important to understand monetarist economics even if you disagree with some (or even a lot) of it.

---

----[ECONOMICS]----
Capitalisms Compared - Bowman
> If you want to know how healthcare, pensions, etc. really differ between American and other countries. Explores in-depth the systems, the history behind their development, etc.

Anything by Thomas Sowell

Economics in One Lesson - Henry Hazlitt
> Same as Road to Serfdom.

---

----[HISTORY]----

In the Course of Human Events - Charles Adams
> So few understand just how complicated and nuanced history is, the history leading up to the succession of many southern US states is no exception. The widely held belief that the "Civil War was fought over slavery" is one not only incorrect, but one of the grossest simplifications of history to ever become so pervasive.

Arsenals of Folly
> History of nuclear politics and of the Soviet Union (Eastern European upheavals, the grain requisitions of the 1930s, etc.). A very important read for understanding many things, least of all the terror, folly, and tragedy that was the USSR (West weren't saints either, I am not saying that, but this book is not an exhaustive account of the cold war).

----[TERTIARY HISTORY]----

God's Playground - Norman Davies

The Origin of the Idea of Crusade - Carl Erdmann

---

----[OBLIGATORY]----

The Holy Bible

[Aeon]

hello, i am a <i>month</i> slow, saw this thread a couple weeks back but got intimidated a bit and forgot while trying to think of a response. i have to at least acknowledge that i've read this considering how much effort you put into making this post and organizing it well

i wish i could cite some relevant literature of my own, but i can't remember the last i've read a nonfiction book. i read things sometimes, but shorter stuff online that isn't worth noting here. i'll keep this thread saved though in case i decide that it's a good idea to check that sort of stuff out
they all seem pretty thoughtful, did a bit of research on in defense of sanity and in the course of human events and the descriptions were interesting

[lazulum]

Haha I appreciate it, no worries
I know exactly how you feel, still have to get to your posts in the doujin thread. Just making preparations for a big and busy week following the weekend. Had to cancel my vacation plans too, postponed till the holiday weekend later this month. I'll log on again late tonight and reply to everything.

Many I've known tend to like fiction which has its own values and benefits in fact, although separate from those provided by non-fiction.

Defense of Sanity is great, easy to read too because it's a collection of essays ranging from 4-12 pages generally. Self-contained and can be read in any sequence. I particularly liked Maxim's Maxims, relevant to many discussions had today. The Romantic in the Rain is one of the most relaxing things I can remember reading haha, I still remember vividly sipping on a warm macchiato in the cold while it rained outside.

Course of Human Events is very applicable to the modern day as well, the nature behind most wars is laid quite bare; the US Civil War is a case example. Too much to summarize without sounding overly simplistic though I'm afraid. It's a great read in any case.