In the genre of books which we can call “Triumph of the Human Will in the Face of Evil,” Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave is a classic. It is in the same class as Solzhenitsyn, which is extremely high praise. But some books transcend their genre. This is one of those books. Douglass’ narrative is more than a story of the escape from slavery. It stands as a metaphor for the liberation of the human mind. Consider first Douglass Himself. Beginning in slavery … [Read more...] about Freeing the Mind in Chains
Great Books
Cheap Repentance
“Repent and believe in the gospel.” Jesus says that at the outset of the gospel of Mark. This has become one of those “church phrases,” often used in Christian circles and everyone nods and knows exactly what it means. Well, everyone knows exactly what it means until you start asking what exactly it means. Consider the word “repent.” As I have heard in numberless sermons, it means turning away from your past sins, expressing sorrow for those past sins, asking for forgiveness … [Read more...] about Cheap Repentance
The American National Quality?
“She had the American national quality—she had ‘faculty’ in a supreme degree.” The “she” is the titular character in Henry James’ short story “Mrs. Temperly” (included in the Library of America’s Complete Stories 1884-1891). Like every work by James, the story is calculated to describe with exquisite precision how life works. Our protagonist, Raymond, is in love with Mrs. Temperly’s daughter, Dora, and wants to marry her. Without ever saying to either Raymond or Dora that the marriage should … [Read more...] about The American National Quality?
What About Rome?
The biggest question about some books is why they are not better known. Montesquieu is an extremely important and well known political philosopher, whose (long) book The Spirit of Laws is a landmark in political theory. The Roman Empire is a perennially interesting topic to both scholars and general readers. So, imagine if Montesquieu wrote a book about the Roman Empire. That book would surely be a runaway bestseller, right? He did write that book. And nobody has heard of … [Read more...] about What About Rome?
Can Economists and Philosophers Be Friends?
“Indeed, there is arguably no higher example of a philosophical friendship in the entire Western tradition. It takes some effort, in fact, to think of who the closest rivals would be.” Dennis Rasmussen, The Infidel and the Professor: David Hume, Adam Smith, and the Friendship that Shaped Modern Thought. The Infidel and the Professor is a wonderful and ultimately quite charming book. The explanations of the writings of both Hume and Smith are very well done; brief enough that someone … [Read more...] about Can Economists and Philosophers Be Friends?
The Nice Machiavelli
“Out of his surname they have coined an epithet for a knave, and out of his Christian name a synonym for the Devil.” Macaulay wrote that about Niccolo Machiavelli. You’ve heard of Maciavelli, of course. He wrote The Prince, that manual for back-room, double-crossing, amoral, evil, self-serving, repulsive, despicable people. Not people like you, obviously. Those awful, terrible, no good, very bad people. Indeed imagine an interview for a leadership position. One of those inane questions … [Read more...] about The Nice Machiavelli