I am bedridden and read just about every waking moment, so I appreciate most book recommendations - especially when they come from someone I like and admire. I don't read much non-fiction because it's too depressing, but I will take a look at your suggestions anyway - after all, I DO spend the first 3 to 5 hours of my day reading the news, and nothing in book form can be worse than that.
What I have trouble believing is that YOU have time to read!
The Warmth of Other Suns and Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. An adventure in learning with many perspectives and wonderful research. Not only have I learned Black history but I have learned about myself and my own education. I have really enjoyed both and She is a wonderful voice of amity in truth.
They Want to Kill Americans: The Militias, Terrorists, and Deranged Ideology of the Trump Insurgency, written by Malcom Nance, expert on terrorism, extremism and insurgency and 34 year veteran of the U.S. intelligence community's Combating Terrorism program. Think January 6th was scary? Take a look how far the tentacles of the Trump White House went to infiltrate and corrupt American democracy from the high courts to legislatures, the military, schools, local governments, and your next door neighbor.
I know this is a weird choice for summer reading but here’s mine: Hitler by Volker Ullrich (vol. 1-Ascent). It’s riveting. Guess what? German right-wing leaders saw him as a buffoon—someone they could use to advance their aims. Sound familiar?
Regarding your personal qualms about aging and conclusion that you’re not being ageist, I strongly, strongly recommend your reading the important new book, "Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long & Well You will Live" [https://becca-levy.com/the-book/] (William Morrow/Harper Collins). Unlike other books on aging well, Yale epidemiologist Becca Levy, PhD., backs up everything with over 30 years of research on how negative age messaging unique to US culture is killing people years before their natural time and harming Americans in multiple ways as ageist attituded infect every system from health care to housing to employment discrimination.
Becca observes, “Some politicians, economists and journalists are wringing their hands over what they call ‘the silver tsunami,’ but they’re missing the point. The fact that so many people are getting to experience old age, and doing so in better health, is one of society’s greatest achievements. It’s also an extraordinary opportunity to rethink what it means to grow old.” It’s a compact book, a very readable 200+ pages, but building on her academic work of decades.
Dr. Reich, I’ve spent 50 years working on this subject watching ageism remain as one of the last acceptable bias in American culture. In 1993, I cofounded the Journalists Network on Generations, which I run, putting out our monthly newsletter www.GBONews.org (Generations Beat Online). (I was a delegate to the 1995 White House Conference on Aging, appointed by Nick Retsinas of HUD, and Still work with both of Pres. Clinton’s Assistant Secretaries of Aging, Fernando Torres-Gil and Jeanette Takamura.)
So, I read your piece, beginning, “Is Biden too old? [https://tinyurl.com/2s8b25hn] Personal thoughts about whether he should run again,” with a long sigh of disappointment because, for once, and at length, you didn’t substantiate your conclusion that he shouldn’t. Your negative finding seems based entirely on speculation of how he might fare into his mid-80s. Even there, you allow that given his relative health, despite diminished fizz, suggest he may be fine. (and Paxlovid willing). I've long admired you, but on this one you're wrong -- and adopting an ageist attitude.
So many people talk about what they're personally doing to stop climate change. You can add solar panels, recycle, drive an electric car, and conserve water. All of those are good and will put less carbon in the air. That just slows down climate change. But none will REVERSE it.
There is only one way to do so. Read Glen Merzer’s book, FOOD IS CLIMATE. He makes it clear that the only way to save the planet is by ending animal agriculture. Not only would that stop adding massive amounts of methane to the atmosphere (120 times as bad as CO2), but land used to support animal agriculture can be reforested. This removes CO2 from the atmosphere and sequesters it in the trees and the ground. The goal of adding a trillion more trees to the planet can be achieved by returning land used by animal agriculture back to its original state.
I read Overstory and really loved it (am a diehard tree peron.) Am now reading Margaret Atwood's " Burning Questions, Essays and Occasional Pieces 2004 to 2021"
Excellent nightstand choices, Robert. The Overstory is the only book on your list that I've already read. I found it deep, poignant, beautifully written and eye opening.
Based on other responders' input, I want to read Other Suns and Caste. A book I loved from other readers' lists is A Gentleman in Moscow.
I'm reading your book, 'The System'! Just finished some Grisham pulp that I always love. Gotta balance my reading from sober reality to the escapist. ;- )
Howard Zinn should be required reading for every high school student in this country! It’s time we teach our children the whole truth! Our country would be better if they were taught the truth rather than the propaganda which we were all taught in order to make us want to fight in wars without asking what we are trying to really accomplish! America has been involved in some type of war for 230 years in the 246 years since we first began! Eisenhower who as a man with personal war experience warned us in 1959 about the dangers of the industrial war machine, but unfortunately, it fell on deaf ears!
I did not appreciate The Overstory because I found it required too much suspension of disbelief, because I found it lengthy and tedious, and because I reported on and knew some of the Oregon timber wars players, and they resent this book deeply for what they say is romanticizing and trivializing their lives. Like the civil war in the USA today, or like the endless conflict between Palestine and Israel, each side says it will relinquish its version of reality only when Death takes it from their clenched fist.
I found the Ministry for the Future accurate if a slog to get through. Quite accurate.
I just finished Dirt Road Revival - loved it. It followed up Jane Kleeb’s “Harvest the Vote.” Both have big lessons well beyond the shorthand of “urban-rural divide.”
To acknowledge Frank Lee’s sentient advice, I’m enjoying revisiting Geraldine Brooks’ “Caleb’s Crossing” and Peter Wohlleben’s “Hidden Life of Trees.” I am looking forward to diving into Lucas Bessire’s “Running Out — In Search of Water on the High Plains” after that.
Sarah Kendzior’s Gaslit Nation, a podcast built on her NYT bestsellers The View from Flyover Country, Hiding in Plain Sight and most recently, They Knew, has provided terrifying clarity about the origins and trajectory of our current political and economic condition. Fortunately, and more importantly, she and Andrea Chulupa, her podcast partner, have, through one of their podcast guests, The States Project, inspired me to start a giving circle where everyday people like me can collaborate to raise money for progressive candidates at the state level. And guess what? The 540 communities of 5-15 people that the States Project has birthed nationwide since 2016 have gotten state candidates elected who improved the lives of voters through progressive policies on healthcare, education and the environment!! And they have fun doing it! TSP inspired me to offer my wife a deal where I would declutter and perform other ugly, demanding tasks that will beautify our house if she’ll agree to me holding giving circles here and she said yes! Yay for my wife! Yay for strategic community involvement! And Yay for Sarah Kendzior!
I am bedridden and read just about every waking moment, so I appreciate most book recommendations - especially when they come from someone I like and admire. I don't read much non-fiction because it's too depressing, but I will take a look at your suggestions anyway - after all, I DO spend the first 3 to 5 hours of my day reading the news, and nothing in book form can be worse than that.
What I have trouble believing is that YOU have time to read!
The Warmth of Other Suns and Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. An adventure in learning with many perspectives and wonderful research. Not only have I learned Black history but I have learned about myself and my own education. I have really enjoyed both and She is a wonderful voice of amity in truth.
They Want to Kill Americans: The Militias, Terrorists, and Deranged Ideology of the Trump Insurgency, written by Malcom Nance, expert on terrorism, extremism and insurgency and 34 year veteran of the U.S. intelligence community's Combating Terrorism program. Think January 6th was scary? Take a look how far the tentacles of the Trump White House went to infiltrate and corrupt American democracy from the high courts to legislatures, the military, schools, local governments, and your next door neighbor.
I know this is a weird choice for summer reading but here’s mine: Hitler by Volker Ullrich (vol. 1-Ascent). It’s riveting. Guess what? German right-wing leaders saw him as a buffoon—someone they could use to advance their aims. Sound familiar?
Regarding your personal qualms about aging and conclusion that you’re not being ageist, I strongly, strongly recommend your reading the important new book, "Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long & Well You will Live" [https://becca-levy.com/the-book/] (William Morrow/Harper Collins). Unlike other books on aging well, Yale epidemiologist Becca Levy, PhD., backs up everything with over 30 years of research on how negative age messaging unique to US culture is killing people years before their natural time and harming Americans in multiple ways as ageist attituded infect every system from health care to housing to employment discrimination.
Becca observes, “Some politicians, economists and journalists are wringing their hands over what they call ‘the silver tsunami,’ but they’re missing the point. The fact that so many people are getting to experience old age, and doing so in better health, is one of society’s greatest achievements. It’s also an extraordinary opportunity to rethink what it means to grow old.” It’s a compact book, a very readable 200+ pages, but building on her academic work of decades.
Dr. Reich, I’ve spent 50 years working on this subject watching ageism remain as one of the last acceptable bias in American culture. In 1993, I cofounded the Journalists Network on Generations, which I run, putting out our monthly newsletter www.GBONews.org (Generations Beat Online). (I was a delegate to the 1995 White House Conference on Aging, appointed by Nick Retsinas of HUD, and Still work with both of Pres. Clinton’s Assistant Secretaries of Aging, Fernando Torres-Gil and Jeanette Takamura.)
So, I read your piece, beginning, “Is Biden too old? [https://tinyurl.com/2s8b25hn] Personal thoughts about whether he should run again,” with a long sigh of disappointment because, for once, and at length, you didn’t substantiate your conclusion that he shouldn’t. Your negative finding seems based entirely on speculation of how he might fare into his mid-80s. Even there, you allow that given his relative health, despite diminished fizz, suggest he may be fine. (and Paxlovid willing). I've long admired you, but on this one you're wrong -- and adopting an ageist attitude.
So many people talk about what they're personally doing to stop climate change. You can add solar panels, recycle, drive an electric car, and conserve water. All of those are good and will put less carbon in the air. That just slows down climate change. But none will REVERSE it.
There is only one way to do so. Read Glen Merzer’s book, FOOD IS CLIMATE. He makes it clear that the only way to save the planet is by ending animal agriculture. Not only would that stop adding massive amounts of methane to the atmosphere (120 times as bad as CO2), but land used to support animal agriculture can be reforested. This removes CO2 from the atmosphere and sequesters it in the trees and the ground. The goal of adding a trillion more trees to the planet can be achieved by returning land used by animal agriculture back to its original state.
Wow, this is a great list. Thanks so much Robert. I'm reading Masha Gessen's Surviving Autocracy.
I’ve found rereading the following to be most uplifting.
“Common Sense” by Thomas Paine
The Declaration of Independence
The Constitution of the United States
“Liberty” by John S Mills
“Sovereign Duty” by KrisAnne Hall, JD
“Tao Te Ching” by Lao Tzu
“Liberty and Tyranny” by Mark Levin
The Blowout : Rachel Maddow
I read Overstory and really loved it (am a diehard tree peron.) Am now reading Margaret Atwood's " Burning Questions, Essays and Occasional Pieces 2004 to 2021"
Excellent nightstand choices, Robert. The Overstory is the only book on your list that I've already read. I found it deep, poignant, beautifully written and eye opening.
Based on other responders' input, I want to read Other Suns and Caste. A book I loved from other readers' lists is A Gentleman in Moscow.
I'm reading your book, 'The System'! Just finished some Grisham pulp that I always love. Gotta balance my reading from sober reality to the escapist. ;- )
Howard Zinn should be required reading for every high school student in this country! It’s time we teach our children the whole truth! Our country would be better if they were taught the truth rather than the propaganda which we were all taught in order to make us want to fight in wars without asking what we are trying to really accomplish! America has been involved in some type of war for 230 years in the 246 years since we first began! Eisenhower who as a man with personal war experience warned us in 1959 about the dangers of the industrial war machine, but unfortunately, it fell on deaf ears!
I did not appreciate The Overstory because I found it required too much suspension of disbelief, because I found it lengthy and tedious, and because I reported on and knew some of the Oregon timber wars players, and they resent this book deeply for what they say is romanticizing and trivializing their lives. Like the civil war in the USA today, or like the endless conflict between Palestine and Israel, each side says it will relinquish its version of reality only when Death takes it from their clenched fist.
I found the Ministry for the Future accurate if a slog to get through. Quite accurate.
Dirt Road Revival is Must Read stuff.
I just finished Dirt Road Revival - loved it. It followed up Jane Kleeb’s “Harvest the Vote.” Both have big lessons well beyond the shorthand of “urban-rural divide.”
To acknowledge Frank Lee’s sentient advice, I’m enjoying revisiting Geraldine Brooks’ “Caleb’s Crossing” and Peter Wohlleben’s “Hidden Life of Trees.” I am looking forward to diving into Lucas Bessire’s “Running Out — In Search of Water on the High Plains” after that.
Sarah Kendzior’s Gaslit Nation, a podcast built on her NYT bestsellers The View from Flyover Country, Hiding in Plain Sight and most recently, They Knew, has provided terrifying clarity about the origins and trajectory of our current political and economic condition. Fortunately, and more importantly, she and Andrea Chulupa, her podcast partner, have, through one of their podcast guests, The States Project, inspired me to start a giving circle where everyday people like me can collaborate to raise money for progressive candidates at the state level. And guess what? The 540 communities of 5-15 people that the States Project has birthed nationwide since 2016 have gotten state candidates elected who improved the lives of voters through progressive policies on healthcare, education and the environment!! And they have fun doing it! TSP inspired me to offer my wife a deal where I would declutter and perform other ugly, demanding tasks that will beautify our house if she’ll agree to me holding giving circles here and she said yes! Yay for my wife! Yay for strategic community involvement! And Yay for Sarah Kendzior!