DWill wrote:And my selection (or another suggestion): "The Irony of American History," by Reinhold Niebuhr.

I will happily 2nd this book. I would definitely vote to read it.

After Tamerlane is a good book - http://www.amazon.com/After-Tamerlane-G ... 1596913932 Discussion has already started by Ophelia and President Comacho. It links to the discussion of imperialism in Bacevich by examining the factors which have enabled empires over the last 800 years.

In After Tamerlane John Darwin mentions Edward Said's Culture and Imperialism, which Ophelia has recommended. Said is an important voice of the other in western historical discussion, describing how empire is revealed in popular fiction.

I have just read Yesterday's Tomorrow - A Confrontation with the Work of Mr Leonard Cohen, by Marc Hendrickx, a Flemish writer. It presents interesting comment on the philosophy and poetry and song of sincerely, L. Cohen. Amazon has no stock according to http://www.amazon.com/Yesterdays-Tomorr ... 1876040777 Brandl & Schlesinger distributed it this year but does not mention it on their site. Are there any other Leonard Cohen fans here?

RT

Here is another suggestion -- This is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J. Levitin.

This is Your Brain on Music

I'd like to add my voice to this selection process. I would support RT's suggestion of the Leonard Cohen book. I enjoy Cohen's songs, find them intriguing and compelling. It would be interesting to learn about his philosophical take on the world. Perhaps this selection would offer a crossover interest between the non-fiction crowd and the poets and songsters residing a little to the west?

I recently picked up, am reading next, and would now like to formally suggest:


THE LIMITS OF STATE ACTION - Wilhelm von Humboldt


http://www.amazon.com/LIMITS-STATE-ACTI ... 0865971099

"Neither natural rights-based nor explicitly utilitarian, Humboldt's argument holds that individual self-development can flower to the maximum extent only when government activity is limited to providing security, that is, preventing harm to others. By "Germany's greatest philosopher of freedom," Humboldt has the exuberance and attention to principal that makes it a valuable introduction to classical liberal political thought." - J.W. Burrow (inside cover flap)

"The grand, leading principle, towards which every argument ... unfolded in these pages directly converges, is the absolute and essential importance of human development in its richest diversity."

http://oll.libertyfund.org/?option=com_ ... Ftitle=589

http://classicliberal.tripod.com/humboldt/lsa04.html


I currently would suggest this rather than Bad Money (a previous selection) given choice of preference between the two.

Re: my earlier recommendation of The Irony of American History. Niebuhr, not surprisingly, does reference a Christian worldview. But it is a view of the left, exactly opposite from current evangelical views that get mixed into politics. I saw nothing in the book that was explicitly theological, though. I bought the book, will certainly read it soon, but perhaps it isn't after all a book to suggest for BT. Many here seem turned off just by the word "Christian" (used positively, that is).

giselle wrote:I'd like to add my voice to this selection process. I would support RT's suggestion of the Leonard Cohen book. I enjoy Cohen's songs, find them intriguing and compelling. It would be interesting to learn about his philosophical take on the world. Perhaps this selection would offer a crossover interest between the non-fiction crowd and the poets and songsters residing a little to the west?

I spoke to the publisher (Brandl & Schlesinger) who confirmed this book is available, but only by mail from Australia. Price is A$25=US$20. Following Giselle's comment, my feeling is it would be an interesting option for booktalk as it opens up the intersection of poetry and politics quite well. It is short and easy to read. My main criticism is that the author is slightly self-obsessed, comparing his own life circumstances to the esteemed bard, but that is a forgiveable indulgence. I am willing to enter the logistic nightmare of sending a batch of copies to Chris if he agrees and people want to read and discuss it.

Yesterday's Tomorrow - A Confrontation with the Work of Mr Leonard Cohen, by Marc Hendrickx
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Yesterdays-Tomorr ... ickx/dp/18 76040777
Brandl & Schlesinger: http://www.brandl.com.au/
Leonard Cohen websites: http://www.leonardcohen.com/ http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Cohen

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

As of right now it will be extremely difficult to select 3 or 4 books for our next non-fiction book poll. There are plenty of suggestions in this thread, but very few follow-up comments about other peoples suggestions. So we have a bunch of books suggested without any that jump out at me as interesting to more than just one or two people. Usually, we'll have at least 3 or 4 people saying something positive about a small handful of books.

So I'm asking those of you that care to look through this thread and leave some comments on the suggestions that have already been made. You're welcome to leave more suggestions, but we desperately need feedback on the existing suggestions or there will be some disappointed people when their suggestion doesn't make it to the poll. I need your help. If you would participate in the discussion of a particular book, should that particular book win in the poll, then please say so. Likewise, if a book that has been suggested is of no appeal to you don't be shy about saying so. Our book selection process is supposed to be a group decision so speak your mind please.

There are some great suggestions this month and I'm pretty excited about the upcoming choice. Whatever it's going to be - it's going to be worth reading.

That said, I'm not going to read a book about poetry and song and the philosophy behind it (Cohen book). I'd rather read Tulip's other suggestion, Culture and Imperialism.

I would read any of the ones suggested.