Salman Rushdie’s "KNIFE" emerges not merely as a memoir following a profound personal crisis but as a meditative, philosophical exploration of violence, survival, and the indomitable spirit of the word against the sword. With "KNIFE," Rushdie again demonstrates why he remains one of our most crucial voices against the fascism of certainty.

Rushdie’s self-reflections are neither deep nor profound.  He is a much better writer than he is a thinker.  His orthodox critical theory genuflections grow tiresome.  But as a survivor on the front lines in the battle for free minds, he’s a hero.

The book’s 224 pages are not just a recounting of the horrific attack on Rushdie but introspection and interrogation of the forces that continue to shape our discourse around freedom of speech and extremism.

THE BOOK OF CHARLIE: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man | Donald Von Drehle, Simon & Schuster (2023), 208p.

In this book,” Donald Von Drehle presents an enriching narrative transcending conventional biography. It's a captivating exploration of Charlie's life, an American centenarian who spans over a century of significant historical events and societal changes. This book review delves into resilience, kindness, and life's transient nature, as seen through Charlie's experiences.

Von Drehle's portrayal of Charlie is not just a chronicle of a long life; it's a deep dive into human experience. The narrative beautifully intertwines the personal with the historical, shedding light on Charlie's journey against the backdrop of pivotal American epochs. From World War I to the Civil Rights Movement, Charlie's life offers an in-depth perspective on these landmark events, enriching the reader's understanding of history through someone who witnessed it firsthand.

​MARCUS AURELIUS IN LOVE: The Letters of Marcus And Fronto | Translated & edited by Amy Richlin, The Univesity of Chicago (2006) p168.
​
Marcus Aurelius in Love: The Letters of Marcus and Fronto" offers a fascinating glimpse into the personal life of one of history's most esteemed philosophers, Marcus Aurelius, through a collection of correspondence with his tutor and friend, Fronto. This edition, expertly edited and translated by Amy Richlin, provides a translation of these ancient texts and a comprehensive analysis that adds depth and context to the letters exchanged between these two Roman figures.

Amy Richlin's translation skillfully captures the nuances of the original Latin, making the letters accessible to a modern audience while preserving their historical and linguistic integrity. Richlin's ability to convey the emotional depth and intellectual exchange between Marcus Aurelius and Fronto is particularly noteworthy, as it highlights the human side of the Stoic emperor and his relationship with his mentor.

The letters are a treasure trove of emotion, philosophical reflection, and rhetorical finesse. They reveal a side of Marcus Aurelius that is seldom seen in his more famous work, "Meditations." Through these letters, readers witness the development of a deep and enduring friendship characterized by mutual respect, intellectual exchange, and genuine affection. The correspondence covers various topics, from personal health and family matters to philosophical discussions and literary critiques, offering a comprehensive picture of their relationship.

Readers might be shocked - as I was - to read of Aurelius complaining of an “anxious heart, shackled by worry.”  Or when he is about to experience something he longed for - return to Italy - he is nearly goofy and describes his conduct as “giddy.”

Reviving this lesser-known collection of Aurelius’ writings helps round out the image of a genuinely human man of action wrestling to align his conduct with his stated moral objectives.

Moreover, Richlin's introduction and commentary throughout the book are invaluable for understanding the historical and cultural context of the Roman Empire during the 2nd century. She provides detailed backgrounds on both correspondents, shedding light on their personal lives, roles within Roman society, and the philosophical and rhetorical themes pervading their letters. This context enriches the reader's appreciation of the correspondence, offering insights into the period’s education, politics, and daily life.

In conclusion, this edition is a remarkable achievement that combines scholarly rigor with engaging storytelling. Amy Richlin has not only provided an accessible translation of these important historical documents but has also illuminated the complex relationship between two significant figures of the Roman Empire. Her contributions make "Marcus Aurelius in Love" an essential read for those interested in ancient history, philosophy, and the art of letter writing.

THE FINDING OF THE “MAYFLOWER” | Rendel Harris, Read & Co. (1920), 58p

"The Discovery of the Mayflower" by Rendel Harris is a captivating account of how the remains of the famous ship that transported the Pilgrims to America were discovered in a quiet corner of England. As a historian and lecturer, Harris weaves a fascinating tale of detection, intrigue, and revelation that keeps readers engaged until the end.

The book’s preface lifts an infamous essay from G.K. Chesterton titled “They Myth of the Mayflower,” where he notes that the Puritan Pilgrims were religiously intolerant and fled to American shores to establish a more rigid commune of intolerance.  Within short order, it clashed violently with the Quakers.

In 1920, Harris stumbled upon an old barn in Jordans, Buckinghamshire, which locals claimed contained timbers from the Mayflower. Intrigued, Harris began investigating the claim, using his extensive knowledge of maritime history and the Pilgrims' journey. His research led him to believe that parts of the barn were constructed using wood from the Mayflower.

HUNTER GATHER’S GUIDE TO THE 21st CENTURY | Heather Heying & Bret Weinstein, Swift Press, (2022), 301p.

Heather Heying and Bret Weinstein's "Hunter Gatherer's Guide to the 21st Century" offers a refreshing and insightful perspective on how humans can thrive in today's rapidly changing world. As evolutionary biologists, the authors bring a unique lens to the table, drawing upon our species' history to provide practical advice for navigating the complexities of modern life.

The book is divided into four parts, tackling a distinct aspect of human existence. Part One, "Understanding Ourselves," delves into the evolutionary roots of human behavior, shedding light on why we act the way we do. From the role of dopamine in motivation to the importance of community, the authors provide a compelling explanation of our innate drives and desires.

Part Two, "Navigating the World," applies the same evolutionary framework to explore how our surroundings shape our actions and decisions. Topics range from the impact of urbanization on mental health to the influence of social media on our relationships. Throughout this section, Heying and Weinstein challenge readers to question their assumptions about the world around them.

In Part Three, "Building Resilience," the authors focus on strategies for cultivating individual resilience in adversity. They advocate for physical exercise, mindfulness, and creativity, all of which help us adapt to an ever-changing environment. This section also includes valuable discussions on managing stress, building meaningful relationships, and finding purpose in life.

Finally, Part Four, "Rethinking Society," takes a step back to examine the larger structures that govern our society. Here, the authors critique contemporary institutions such as education, healthcare, and government while offering proposals for positive change. Their arguments are well-supported and thought-provoking, encouraging readers to rethink their assumptions about the systems that shape our lives.

SIZE: How it Explains the World | Vaclav Smil, William Morrow Publishing (2023), 304p.

​In "Size: How It Explains the World," author Vaclav Smil embarks on an intriguing journey to explore the significance of scale in various aspects of our lives. From the nanoscale to the global level, this book delves into the impact of size on biology, technology, society, and the environment. As an energy and environmental science expert, Smil brings his unique perspective to reveal the profound effects of scaling on our world.

The book begins with an introduction to the concept of scale and its importance in understanding various phenomena. Smil effectively illustrates how size influences everything from materials’ strength to transportation systems’ efficiency. He presents fascinating examples, such as the fact that spider silk’s strength-to-weight ratio is more significant than steel’s, highlighting the remarkable properties of natural materials.

BOOKS | THE FOURTH TURNING IS HERE | Neil Howe, Simon & Schuster, (2023) 587p.

If you read only one book this year, make it this one.   

Neil Howe’s theory interprets history as a series of repeating cycles, commonly referred to as the “Saeculum” view.  This perspective suggests that history operates in cycles, each spanning approximately a long human life (80 to 100 years). 

At any moment, about four generations coexist, each influencing and shaping events. 

In Howe's model, a Saeculum comprises four distinct turnings, or generational eras, each lasting approximately 20-22 years (roughly the time it takes for a new generation to come of age).  These turnings are:

• High – A post-crisis era of strong institutions, societal unity, and collective confidence.  Society has a strong belief in the importance of community and collective action.  This period often follows a crisis and sees the rebuilding or solidification of societal structures.
• Awakening – A time of cultural or spiritual renewal.  This is when the younger generation begins to rebel against established norms, leading to a societal focus on individualism and self-expression.
• Unraveling – An era of increasing individualism and weakening institutions.  The societal fabric starts to wear thin, leading to increasing disunity and strife.  The established order is increasingly challenged, and there's a feeling of being adrift or without a clear direction.
• Crisis – A decisive era of secular upheaval, where a new one replaces the old order.  This period can include major events like wars, revolutions, or financial crashes.  The outcome of this turning determines the values and direction of the following High.

According to Howe's model, we are in the middle of a Crisis period that should last another decade.  The good news remains that a high will follow a Crisis as spring follows winter. 
However, these Crisis periods (Glorious Revolution, American Revolution, Civil War, WWII) are not easy.  During a Crisis period:

• Institutional Crisis: Existing institutions appear weak and are distrusted.  They either get significantly reformed or replaced.  They feel they aren't effectively solving society's most pressing issues.
• Sense of Urgency: There's a widespread perception that a crisis threatens the survival of the society or way of life.  This might manifest as economic distress, wars, social upheaval, etc.
• Community Cohesion: Despite, or perhaps because of, the Crisis, people come together.  They often become more collective-minded and willing to sacrifice individual goals for the greater good.  This starkly contrasts the individualism that typifies the Unraveling phase that precedes the Crisis.
• Strong Leadership: The society looks for and sometimes finds forceful leaders with a new vision to guide the nation through the Crisis.  These leaders might implement sweeping reforms.
• Decisive Action: Society feels pressured to take decisive action to resolve the Crisis.  This might involve wars, revolutions, or other significant endeavors that require collective effort.
• Cultural Shift: The values, norms, and priorities of society often undergo a significant transformation during this period.
• Resolution and New Order: By the end of the Crisis, the critical issues are typically resolved, though not always in a way that all members of the society find satisfactory.  The resolution then sets the stage for the next High period.

Because the interplay of generations follows an observable pattern, Howe and others see specific personas that emerge and become hallmarks of generations.   Think of the oft-noted phrase, "Hard times create strong men.  Strong men create good times.  Good times create weak men.  And weak men create hard times. “

These turnings are not just chronological periods but are also associated with generational archetypes that play specific roles:

• Prophet – Born during a High, they grow up as the increasingly indulged children of the post-crisis era, come of age during an Awakening, and become the elderly leaders during a Crisis.  (Boomers)
• Nomads – Born during an Awakening, they grow up as under-protected children, come of age during an Unraveling, and become midlife leaders during a Crisis.  (Gen X)
• Hero – Born during an Unraveling, they grow up as increasingly protected post-Awakening children, come of age during a Crisis, and become elderly leaders during the subsequent High.  (Millennial)
• Artists – Born during a Crisis, they grow up as the overprotected children of the post-crisis world, come of age during a High, and are the midlife leaders during an Awakening.  (Homeland or Gen Z)

There is undoubtedly a greater probability than zero that we will experience a major war, internal conflict, or massive recession in the next ten years.   Understanding forces that might drive these periods of events is always helpful, as are reflections that lend themselves to greater preparation, resiliency, and grit to thrive amidst such adversity. 

Nevertheless, history is not predetermined.  We make choices.  Howe's work, particularly when looking at the attributes of generations or historical events, has - by necessity- some amount of cherry-picking involved.   Additionally, given the vagaries of technology and human interactions, straight-line trends seldom self-execute without unpredictable swerves and curves.

Grab a copy of this tome, consume, reflect and prepare. 

​A study outline can be found here. saeculum_matrix.pdf

THE GREAT DEBATE: Edmund Burke, Thomas Paine and the Birth of the Right and Left | Yuval Levin, Basic Books, (2014), 304p.

Levin makes the case that the emergence, in the West, of a Left and Right diverged with the variance between Edmund Burke and Thomas Paine. Levin makes a compelling case for them as early proxies and clear archetypes but fails rigorous historical proofs. Nevertheless, for moderns, this juxtaposition serves its purpose. 

Paine was a proponent of rigid principles based upon absolutes. Burke is the defender of tradition and custom. Paine pushed for what was believed to be correct, regardless if it had been proven or tried. Burke advocated sticking with what worked and reforming what did not. 

Regarding Burke, Levin follows the trail blazed by Michiganian Russell Kirk, who well-established the Burkinan tradition as the intellectual bedrock of modern conservatism over 50 years ago. 

The challenge for both is that they require context. Left unabated, Paine leads to the murderous tyranny of democracy, and Burke, without pivots, remains friendly to monarchial nonsense. 

Nevertheless, Levin provides a service in refreshing this debate and renewing the vital nature of policy founded upon principle and reflection for modern thinkers versus a parade of current events and mere exchanges of power. The Great Debate is written clearly, providing a good launching pad for contemplating eternal truths.

WILL | Will Smith, Penguin Press (2021), 432p. 

Undeniably one of Hollywood’s most lucrative actors, Will Smith is such a recognizable international brand that his self-titled autobiography is simply “Will.”

He vividly shares his childhood experiences in a fairly broken home with an alcoholic parent yet a loving family equipped with the means to travel most summers domestically. While growing up on the south side of Philadelphia, Smith had exposure to a tremendous set of experiences that empowered him with confidence and a larger horizon. 

When Smith reflects on obstacles or challenges throughout the book, he repeatedly invokes language, indicating he’s fairly steeped in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) tools. Ironically, however, he almost always has an excuse or defense where his mistake was not his fault. He also makes nearly everything about him - not his loved ones, family, or children - lending credibility to the stereotypical egomaniac superstar. 

He goes through the motions of vulnerability, but the final product is paragraphs of bragging and faux moralizing. 

One of the book’s highlights is Smith's personal interactions with Muhammad Ali and Nelson Mandela during filming on respective projects. These encounters provide a unique insight into the lives of two of the most influential figures of the 20th century.

For those who grew up with Smith’s rap, acting, and general stardom, his autobiography will reveal tidbits and details of the entertainment world you likely missed and provide a tour-de-force of ’90s nostalgia.

THE BRAIN-FRIENDLY WORKPLACE: Why Talented People Quit and How to Get Them to Stay | Friederike Fabritius, Roman, Littlefield Publishers, (2022), 248p.

In "The Brain-Friendly Workplace: Why Talented People Quit and How to Get Them to Stay," Friederike Fabritius, a neuroscientist, explores the factors that drive talented employees to leave their organizations and presents practical solutions to create work environments that foster talent retention and employee satisfaction. 

Her findings are grouped into Safety and Trust, Reward and Motivation, Emotional Intelligence, Social Connectivity, and Focus and Attention. 

Underlying the commonsense recommendations, Fabritius emphasizes the understanding that the unique individual neuro signature will help managers. Every branch of science, including neuroscience, reinforces that everyone is inherently diverse and represents uniqueness. A company’s enhanced ability to adapt and accommodate those differences can fuel greater productivity and outcomes, argues the author. 

As management or science goes, this book is not rocket science. It’s written for a general audience and reinforces the common sense practices in circulation today.

ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF IVAN DENISOVICH | Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Signet, (1962), 176p.

This novella by Soviet dissent Alexander Solzhenitsyn transports the reader into the grueling daily life of a Communist hard labor prison. When published in 1962, during Khrushchev’s anti-Stalin phase - an act itself later responsible for the Premier’s disposition - it was an immediate sensation. The Russian public was unaware of the realities of its government’s gulag. Solzhenitsyn, a decorated WWII officer, wrote from first-hand experience after eleven years of brutal imprisonment for minor thought crimes. Later, he was imprisoned again for writing a detailed nonfiction account of Communist prisons. 

Solzhenitsyn won a Nobel Prize for his work. 

The Day in the Life is terse in prose, partially due to translation issues but primarily by design, crafting the tone and roughness of prison existence. The main character is practical, not philosophical. He focuses on survival, which means being a productive squad member, watching the backs of those closest to him, and staying out of the guard’s sight. Fed only ounces at each meal, the inmates obsess about keeping warm amidst an endless Siberian winter. 

Like Epictetus - the famed Stoic, once enslaved but never imprisoned - Solzhenitsyn’s character retains agency. The choice of inner enslavement is forgone even when survival requires external submission. 

Readers of One Day are forced to search their minds for what they find dear and how they would respond to such unspeakable physical torture. While the Soviet Union is formally gone, the spirit of tyranny still roams the face of our planet, seeking to criminalize ill-favored thoughts and expressions with increasing fervor. In this vein, Solzhenitsyn’s work seems less like a witness or t

GEORGE MARSHALL: Defender of the Republic | David Roll, Dutton Caliber, (2019), 704p.

In reading a tome on Pershing, the vignette of Marshall in World War I, stepping up to the General and correcting him respectfully but forcefully intrigued me to learn more about this pivotal military leader. This episode was replayed in many ways throughout his career. Marshall always spoke the preverbal “Truth to power.” yet was quiet and excessively calm in nearly all instances. 

Most of us know George Marshall as the architect of the “Marshall Plan,” the infusion of US taxpayer treasury into Europe to rebuild and prevent further lapses into totalitarian impulses. He fought hard with Congress as Sec of State and allied with Michigan Republican U.S. Senator Arthur Vanderburg. 

A VMI graduate, he spent his career in the military, rising to a 5-star Army General as Chief-of-Staff of the War Department during WWII. 

The author, Roll spends extreme detail on marque events in his career, like the U.S. military failure to prevent the attack at Pearl Harbor. In the biographer’s judgment, it was a series of incompetence underlined by US hubris in underestimating Japan’s capability. Additionally, he provides a detailed account of Marshall’s brief but failed service as Special Envoy to China in attempting to prevent the Communists from taking over. 

Marshall never commanded troops in combat. He demonstrated substantial talents in strategic planning and masterminded the first major U.S. offensive in WWI and thereafter was tasked with the planning and administration of the military. Meanwhile, his contemporaries like MacArthur and Patton were winning battlefield glory. It was with extreme humility that he backed the appointment of Eisenhower as Supreme Allied Commander at a time when Truman would have approved Marshall had he chosen to push himself. 

While he had great victories, he also suffered big losses. However, throughout all of it, his unyielding commitment to his country and servant leadership is an example of real patriotism akin to the character of a Washington or Jefferson now lost in the modern milieu of self-aggrandizement and pompous parading.

KING OF THE WORLD: The Life of Cyrus the Great | Matt Walters, Oxford University Press (2022), 272p.

This biography of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire in 500 BCE, is a heavily researched and engaging account of one of history's most prominent figures. Written by an accomplished author, Waters, the book provides a detailed and vivid portrayal of Cyrus' life and accomplishments, taking the reader through his early years, rise to power, and many conquests, including his famous victory over the Babylonian Empire.

One of the book's most significant strengths is Waters' ability to contextualize Cyrus' life and achievements within the larger historical timeline. The author masterfully weaves the many political, social, and cultural influences that shaped Cyrus' world, providing a rich and nuanced portrait of the era.

Cyrus is renowned for creating an empire that was striking in its geographic breadth and scope. In addition to his military prowess, he was also deeply invested in his kingdom's infrastructure, spearheading projects such as the famed "Persian Pony Express" and advanced irrigation systems. While he may not have been a lawgiver in the same vein as Solon, Cyrus deserves credit for tolerating the religions of the people he conquered. For which the Talmud gives him credit. 

Waters' writing style is accessible and engaging, making the book compelling for academics and general readers. His attention to detail and use of primary sources, including ancient texts and inscriptions, lend the book high credibility. Waters carefully distinguishes between known facts, suspected truths, and areas of uncertainty, a refreshing and commendable approach. The downside is a thinning of the narrative of Cyrus' story. 

In sum, this biography of Cyrus the Great is a superb introduction to this era and part of the world. Waters' masterful storytelling and attention to detail make for a rich and nuanced portrait of one of history's most fascinating figures, a leader whose impact is still felt today and highly recommended for anyone interested in ancient history.

MY FELLOW SOLDIERS: General John Pershing and the Americans Who Helped Win the Great War | Andrew Carroll, Penguin Press, (2017), p416

My Fellow Soldiers is a compelling account of the role played by General John Pershing and the Americans who served in the First World War. Authored by Andrew Carroll, it is a detailed and informative account of the experiences of American soldiers.

From the volunteers who traveled to France to support the Allied efforts before America entered the war as airmen, soldiers, and medics, this story traces at the human level the personal stories of those who helped stop German aggression. He uses Pershing’s story from the campaign pursuing Poncho Villa to his command of the US Expeditionary Forces in WWI. Still, he weaves around him the stories of the everyday contributor informed by their personal letters and diaries. 

Names everyone will recognize from the next War got their tutoring in the first: George Marshall, Harry Truman, Bill Donovan, and George S. Patton. 

Pershing, whose brand was that of a starchy, stiff-upper-lip disciplinarian, is unveiled at the personal level. His wife and three daughters were killed in a house fire two years before the war. Only his six-year-old son survived. Thereafter, he had an intense romance with Patton’s sister and then, while in France, fell madly in love with a young French painter. 

Carroll brings forth the stories of often overlooked contributors, women, and African-American soldiers in the effort. He also details the diplomatic tensions between the French, English, and Americans in coordinating action. 

One of the strengths of Carroll's book is his attention to detail. He provides a wealth of information about the logistics of the war effort, including the difficulties faced by American troops in securing adequate food, medical supplies, and training. This is a significant contribution and a compelling read for those interested in learning more about an often-overlooked conflict.

GHOST FLEET: A Novel of the Next World War | P.W. Singer & August Cole, William Morrow Publishing (2016), 416p.

Admiral Stavridis called this novel a “startling blueprint;” I call it the scariest book I have read. This pair of authors penned a techno-thriller of a war that China unleashes on the U.S. with startling success, leveraging their technologies to exploit our dependence on porous software and chip components. 

As one would expect, Russia is China’s ally. After replacing the U.S. as a dominant world power, they use fear to reduce barriers to energy resources their homeland desperately needs. 

As occupiers, the Eastern alliance conducts operations typical within its historical culture, which is to say, without regard for the dignity of human life. 

The only thing scarier than the plot narrative is that this book was written eight years ago. It uniquely has 382 endnotes, many linking to the background of the underreported capabilities of now nearly a decade-old technologies. However, like any effective story, it is not the tale of machines but a drama about vivid characters and their human reactions to the events and environment that unfold. 

Written with the pacing style of a Tom Clancy novel, it moves quickly and relies upon some extraordinary assumptions. These devices are fundamental to the genre and why we can still consider these pieces fiction. Yet this one engages the imagination strongly enough to ponder if art is - yet again - merely predicting reality.

GUN BARONS: The weapons that transformed America and the Men who Invented them | John Bainbridge, Jr., St. Martn’s Press (2022) 352p. 

It is one book, yet five biographies. Bainbridge tells the stories of Colt, Remington, Winchester, Smith, and Wesson. To understand their inventions and the process, Bainbridge takes the reader back to the dawn of the Industrial Revolution in New England, where most of them launched, sprouting from the Connecticut River basin, which formed, at the time, America’s fertile production crescent. 

While their product lines differed, they pursued the same quest: a repeating firearm with a waterproof bullet (cartridge). Before these remarkable advances, firearms were stuck in laborious flintlock platforms. The breakthrough came with the man who invented the household safety pin (Walter Hunt), whose imperfect gun design nevertheless provided an innovative design. Nevertheless, Hunt could not commercialize his product the way the subject of this tome did. 

Much like the patent fights over a combustible engine, massive legal fights broke out over gun patents fueled by vibrant labor swapping enabled by their proximity. Safe to say, they did not have non-compete agreements in the 1850s.

Barrons is less about the guns and more about the lives of those who brought them to scale. Remington, for example, is a youthful poet and pacifist, hardly the profile one expects. Winchester, a carpenter, ran a haberdashery before turning to a firearm manufacturer. 

What is also clear and missing from any modern narrative is the overwhelming historical evidence that guns have been, more than not, instruments of progress and protective of freedoms than not. Gun Barrons is a fascinating look into the lives behind those who made firearms more of a mainstream part of our American story, built upon our common birthright in the Bill of Rights catapulted into the next century by Yankee ingenuity.

THE QUEST FOR CHARACTER: What the Story of Socrates and Alcibiades Teaches Us about Our Search for Good Leaders | Massimo Pogliucci, Basic Books, (2022), 272p.

Using the life of Alcibiades as the canvas, Pagliucci paints a vivid lesson in five parts: 1 - Virtue can and should be taught. 2 - If you are not virtuous, don’t get into politics. 3 - A good character is an inside job. 4 - We should all be “philosophers.” And 5 - What works when it comes to improving character.

Pigliucci argues that these two figures - Socrates & Alcibiades - embody opposing leadership and character development approaches. By studying their lives and ideas, we can gain insight into what it takes to become a good leader.

Excellence in Greek is “arete,” and is more recognizable in its Latin form as “virtue.” What makes an excellent human? Socrates not only wandered the streets of Athens, provoking inquiry into this topic, but also tutored a handful of disciplines, including one of this favorite - and, as it would turn out, his worst student - Alcibiades. While successful at times, Alcibiades was anything but excellent as a human. 

Amidst the Peloponnesian War, they both served Athens as soldiers. When Alcibiades sought Socrates’ advice on his intention to seek public office, Socrates responded with typical inquiry, investigating the nature of his drive and purpose. After which, he concluded it was merely for vainglory and self-aggrandizement. He declared to Alcibiades that he was “too wed to stupidity” and must seek more wisdom before pursuing leadership. Alcibiades ignored his sage’s advice. 

Suffice it to say calamity ensued. After dramatic victories and betrayals, Alcibiades was assassinated in a hail of arrows. Lost to history is who ordered the hit - the Athenians or Sparta - both of whom he had championed and betrayed in separate capers. Both had motivation and opportunity, as they say.

His writing is lucid and clear, but his narrative is untidy. Given that the world needs more works in the genre of Plutarch’s Lives - grand moral biographies - from which our age can learn plenty, Pagilucci’s addition is most welcome.

SEVEN DEADLY ECONOMIC SINS | James Otteson, Cambridge University Press, (2021), p322

Economist James Otteson provides a thought-provoking examination of the global economy’s current state and challenges. Otteson argues that the current economic system is plagued by seven fallacies that misguide policymakers and the public. 

Otteson’s seven are:
1 - The Wealth Is Zero Sum Fallacy,
2 - the Good Is Good Enough Fallacy,
3- the Great Mind Fallacy,
4- the Progress Is Inevitable Fallacy,
5- the Economics Is Amoral Fallacy,
6- The We Should Be Equal Fallacy and
7- The Markets Are Perfect Fallacy. He adds an eighth bonus fallacy in his conclusion, which he calls the I Am the World Fallacy. 

Many readers will likely find some of these challenging, given their counter-factual staying power within the current culture. The narcissism and conceit that drive the Good is Good Enough, Great Minds, and We All Should Be Equal fallacy are deeply engrained within the misshapen modern mind that the reasoning and facts will find challenge in taking root. But Otteson jousts adroitly. 

Schumpeter warned, “The typical citizen drops down to a lower level of mental performance as soon as he enters the political field.” This is evident. However, the more people consume content like Otteson’s treasure trove of reflections and facts, the better our grand experiment in self-rule will fare.

THE CLUB: Johnson, Boswell and the Friends Who Shaped An Age | Leo Damrosch, Yale University, (2020), 448p.

The Club is a decently written and engaging historical work that delves into the world of the 18th-century Club known as the Literary Club of London. Meeting almost weekly at Turk’s Head Tavern, this small invite-only Club became a breeding ground for rich cultural expressions that the author argues shaped an age. 

This book focuses on the two founders: Samuel Johnson and his equally famous biographer, James Boswell. Other club members in the pages include painter Joshua Reynolds, statesman Edmund Burke, poet Oliver Goldsmith, scholar Edmund Malone, painter Sir Joshua Kirby, legal scholar Sir William Jones, historian Edward Gibbon, and philosopher Adam Smith.

The personal lives of Johnson and Boswell get way too much attention. Are the compelling lives of these great minds made more accessible or illuminated by chronicling in vivid detail the numerous (hundreds) prostitutes and affairs the married Boswell had? Although, his dalliance with Rousseau’s girlfriend was interesting.

The founding charter of The Club commissioned it as a “convivial and interesting friends who would spend an evening together once a week.” Their Latin motto, “esto perpetual,” let it be perpetual, was nearly realized.

Johnson once remarked, “Men need to be reminded more often than informed.” This tome provides a reminder of the impressive outcomes that follow when remarkable creativity collides in habitual proximity.| Leo Damrosch, Yale University, (2020), 448p.

The Club is a decently written and engaging historical work that delves into the world of the 18th-century Club known as the Literary Club of London. Meeting almost weekly at Turk’s Head Tavern, this small invite-only Club became a breeding ground for rich cultural expressions that the author argues shaped an age. 

This book focuses on the two founders: Samuel Johnson and his equally famous biographer, James Boswell. Other club members in the pages include painter Joshua Reynolds, statesman Edmund Burke, poet Oliver Goldsmith, scholar Edmund Malone, painter Sir Joshua Kirby, legal scholar Sir William Jones, historian Edward Gibbon, and philosopher Adam Smith.

The personal lives of Johnson and Boswell get way too much attention. Are the compelling lives of these great minds made more accessible or illuminated by chronicling in vivid detail the numerous (hundreds) prostitutes and affairs the married Boswell had? Although, his dalliance with Rousseau’s girlfriend was interesting.

The founding charter of The Club commissioned it as a “convivial and interesting friends who would spend an evening together once a week.” Their Latin motto, “esto perpetual,” let it be perpetual, was nearly realized.

Johnson once remarked, “Men need to be reminded more often than informed.” This tome provides a reminder of the impressive outcomes that follow when remarkable creativity collides in habitual proximity.

ROME’S LAST CITIZEN: The Life and Legacy of Cato, Mortal Enemy of Caesar | Rob Goodman, Thomas Dune Books, (2012), 384p.

Generally unknown today, the impact of Cato throughout Western thought is immense. As a potent example of his effect upon America’s founding generation, the dramatic play - Cato: A Tragedy - written 65 years prior, was performed at the headquarters of the Continental Army during the first formal Thanksgiving by order of a passionate patron - George Washington. 

Revealing to modern readers the complexity of Roman life and the capital intrigue of its Senate is no simple task. Goodman delivers in spades, making the arcane accessible. 

Cato was the strongest, fiercest, and ultimately losing defender of the Roman Republic against the encroachment and eventual dictatorship in the form of Caesar, which transformed Rome into an imperial monarchy. His rise from the son of a farmer to the heights of the Senate is a worthy story of wise and disciplined determination and service. But his story is much more. 

We are taken into the daily rituals Cato practiced. His work habits: When in the field as a soldier, he slept and ate with his men, rarely venturing beyond moderation in food and drink and steadfast study and learning. 

Unlike politicians of his time, Cato did not shift position with the changing alliances. He affixed his beliefs to First Principles and did not move. While often at odds with the majority, he was respected as a Truth teller. His commitment to reason and rhetorical skills made him such an accomplished orator that he could best even Cicero. 

Cato the Younger is a life that embodied the spirit of a Republic - freedom and virtue. He defended them to his last breadth. Ultimately, when given a gracious chance to recognize the supremacy of Caesar and retain his life, Cato committed ritual suicide. Irony being a solid thread in history, his son-in-law, Brutus - a man of virtue in his own right - provided a temporal but loudly heard shive to authoritarianism. 

Rome’s Last Citizen is an engaging biography of a well-lived life that still sets an example two thousand years after his death.

WOKE, INC.: Inside Corporate America’s Social Justice Scam | Vivek Ramaswamy, Center Street, (2021), 321p.

The fraught foundations of “shareholder capitalism,” the intellectually inconsistent and integrity-challenged fad of those incapable of defending the basics of a free market and turn towards an insidious form of oligarchical-driven tyranny, comes under review in Ramaswamy’s tome. 

The apparent fact is that CEOs and corporations, more than not, know nothing when it comes to politics and policy. Take, for example, Delta throwing a fit over Georgia’s voting rights laws. Laws that were more liberal than Colorado’s - to which no one objected - and have produced not voter suppression but greater participation with the added value of increased confidence in results. Why did Delta choose to do so? They followed the groupthink of the “Shareholder Capitalism” class that knows little yet advocates fiercely. 

As the title proclaims, this book focuses mainly on woke policies - properly understood as applied Critical Theory. The latter is the 40-year outgrowth of academia that has snarled itself into a series of contradictions that are essentially a racist ideology and generally anti-science. 

This collection of ill-conceived notions is moving from fad to zeitgeist in an arc eerily reminiscent of the progressive’s eugenics obsession a century prior. 

Woke, Inc. is a decent dive into these trends. It’s a tad short on insight but a fine collection of antidotes examining these developments. It’s not likely to have a long shelf-life but is an able guide to “current events.”

LET’S BE REASONABLE: A Conservative Case for Liberal Education | Jonathan Marks, Princeton University Press (2021), 231p.

Marks pushes conservatives to not abandon the academy but to reform it. He first tackles common stereotypes and misconceptions about the sources of the failure of higher education economics. Secondly, and more interestingly, he makes the case to embrace the fundamentals of a liberal (small L) education. 

Here, Marks pays homage to those who sought to bring elements of the “elite” subjects to the economically distressed. 

The author rejects the utilitarian claims for a purpose amongst higher education planners who often use adjectives like “integrative, interdisciplinary, interconnected, entrepreneurial, twenty-first century, complex, dynamic, and problem-solving...” Nor does the writer support the outcome of a certain kind of “cultural literacy” or the massive production of, in Locke’s terms, those who are “logical chicaners.”

In the end, Marks argues for a system that produces productive pluralism, the type of open inquiry that buttressed the creation of the Enlightenment and the attendant Industrial Revolution. 

Academic freedom only matters when at least two competing ideas can clash - if only one is present, debate is not. The range and veracity of debate are a keen indicator of the academy's health and worth.