zstock's Titles

Statecraft as Soulcraft by George F. Will (Mystery, Horror, Crime, Business, Politics) It's amazing that Mr. Will was allowed to maintain his "conservative" credentials after publishing this book. Certainly, the tea-party crowd circa 2010 would have stripped him of such pretense had the book appeared more recently. The book is nothing less than an assault on pure libertarian philosophy (think Ayn Rand and company). In the course of the attack, many of the current conservative bromides fall. It turns out that some conservatives don't believe that government is always THE problem. Some of them believe in a social safety net, and many think that the President should be more than the reigning CEO. I KNOW! This is shocking stuff. Revelation or not, this is classic George Will. If you enjoy and agree with his columns and television commentary, you will almost hear his voice. If you feel somewhat estranged from current Republican orthodoxy, you might also find solace in this book. -- Added by zstock on 02/26/2013 Add Comment

The Affluent Society by John Kenneth Galbraith (Mystery, Horror, Crime, Business, Politics) Many people under a certain age (like me), aren't as familiar with Galbraith as they should be. Despite being a major influence on leading Democrats of the late 20th Century, Galbraith's ideas never really gained ground. Conservatives revile him, and are glad of this fact. Yet, conservative and liberal alike will find ideas they agree with in these pages. In fact, they might find ways to craft policy, especially tax policy, that would be acceptable to both camps. That alone should recommend the book to anyone interested in politics today. -- Added by zstock on 02/21/2013 Add Comment

The Prague Cemetery by Umberto Eco (Classics, Literary Fiction, Biography) With a complicated plot and a disgusting protagonist, this book skewers anti-semitisim in particular and all conspiracy theories in general. Basically, the book is one large meditation on the meaning of truth. It can be a tough slog, but you will be thinking about what you know and how you know it before the end. -- Added by zstock on 02/08/2013 Add Comment I found this book very entertaining. It is amazing how politics, religious fervor, theft, forgery, lies, and the media still run the world today.....it's frightening how untruths are allowed to proliferate societies. Nothing has been learned throughout the centuries. It could have been 100 pages shorter. -- sarasotasun on 02/15/2013

Foundation by Isaac Asimov (Science Fiction, Fantasy, Science, Health) Foundation is an interesting take on a certain philosophy of history dressed up in a classic space opera. It's faith in social science is entertaining, and the use of the Roman Empire as a template for all of history will not be unfamiliar to the doomsayers of today. The "science" in this mid-twentieth century sci-fi classic will seem quaint in our age of luxury, but this has the effect of making the book more endearing. If you like old-school science fiction and haven't yet read this book, you definitely should. -- Added by zstock on 02/01/2013 Add Comment Best Sci-Fi series ever. After 60 years it still stands the test of time, topically, socially, and technologically. -- Cabin Boy on 02/03/2013

Churchill by Paul Johnson (Classics, Literary Fiction, Biography) A very good summary of a great man's life. -- Added by zstock on 01/31/2013 Add Comment

Keynes by Robert Skidelsky (Mystery, Horror, Crime, Business, Politics) If you are a conservative of a certain stripe, the name Keynes is undoubtedly synonymous with bolshevism itself. You might, therefore, steer clear of anything that would purport to extol the brilliance Keynes's thought. Please resist that urge. This book, while slightly technical and overly fawning, does much to show just how "conservative" Keynes could be. At the very least, the book shows just how relevant his thought remains today. -- Added by zstock on 01/27/2013 Add Comment

Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan (Classics, Literary Fiction, Biography) This book has something for every type of reader. The title really says it all. -- Added by zstock on 01/19/2013 Add Comment

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling (Science Fiction, Fantasy, Science, Health) My only excuse for recording this in an adult reading program: My 8-year-old loves the series, and I, having never read the books or watched the movies, wanted to see what it's all about. If you are in the same situation, you might want to know that the book is fun but definitely for kids. -- Added by zstock on 01/17/2013 Add Comment

Paris 1919 by Margaret MacMillan (Historical Fiction, Westerns, History) If you want to explore the development of many of the most persistent problems in international relations, this book will add some interesting perspective. It also draws very entertaining portraits of the diplomats and elected leaders who practically ruled the world for a few short months in 1919. -- Added by zstock on 01/17/2013 Add Comment