50 Books Challenge | November
50 Books Challenge : November
1. Liberty's Blueprint: How Madison and Hamilton Wrote the Federalist Papers, Defined the Constitution, and Made Democracy Safe for the World
Author: Michael I. Meyerson
Genre: Nonfiction//Political Science
Pages: 223
Rating: 3/5
This book is separated into two parts. The first provides the time line from the failure of the Articles of Confederation to Madison and Hamilton's campaigning for the Constitution in Virginia and New York. Meyerson uses the second part to discuss the relevance of the Federalist in today's political world. It remains the most quoted resource of the Supreme Court, and has gained increasing popularity among so-called Originalists who desperately look for the Founders' intents. Should the Federalist be cited? Should it be discarded completely? Meyerson offers a more moderate approach to reading the Federalist Papers, where one can use the Founders' words to keep a judge's personal values from undermining the Constitution, but also allow for modern values to progress. Use research and your personal judgment. Not even Madison and Hamilton, two of the three-man Publius, could agree what the Constitution said.
That being said, I'd recommend this for students who wish to begin studying Constitutional history. It presents both the federalist and anti-federalist arguments, and points out Madison and Hamilton's shortcomings, the former in defending slavery and the latter in refuting a Bill of Rights. It lacks true depth and insight into the Federalist, and is not a dense analyzing of the work. Treat the book as a window into Publius' pamphlets, and you'll enjoy it.
2. The Art of Worldly Wisdom
Author: Baltasar Gracián
Genre: Nonfiction//Philosophy
Pages: 101
Rating: 4/5
Despite being written in the seventeenth-century, this is a timeless piece of wisdom. If you're a cynic, this is a book for you. Gracián presents the world three-hundred proverbs on his understanding of human nature. While he gives advice on how to get revenge on one's enemies, he also keeps a code of honor about it, lionizing virtue. He remains a realist. Humans are greedy, self-centered, ignorant, and irrational. Only a select few can reach a level of morality that makes them better leaders and superb human beings. Unlike Machiavelli, Gracián tried to make people better, despite their vast imperfections. Show no one your weakness, become self-reliant, keep only a few but trustworthy friends, never be seen as a fool, etc. Everyone should have this book on their shelves. It should be read, and read often. My only criticism is that Gracián is sometimes repetitive and even contradictory.
3. A Tale of Two Cities
Author: Charles Dickens
Genre: Fiction//Classic-Historical
Pages: 365
Rating: 4/5
This was the first fiction book I picked up in many months, and I'm glad I chose this before others. I have not had the pleasure of reading all of Dickens' stories, but of what I have read, this remains my favorite. I doubt I can give it any better praise than people before me, and I will not try. The book is divided into three parts as we are able to witness the rise of the French Revolution. Both Paris and London are cities of political unrest and patriotic paranoia. Best of all, Dickens creates an ambiguous background that allows the reader to see the goods and evils of both the aristocracy and the peasants. The Marquis is a detestable character, but so is Citizeness Defarge. We see the dangers of what can come of mob mentality, when a virtuous cause is tainted by lust for violence and heads. Charles Darnay falls victim to the uncontrollable hate the peasants feel towards the aristocrats, despite his virtuous deeds. Citizeness Defarge eventually becomes so out of control, she takes aim at his innocent wife and daughter. But it is Sydney Carton -- a lazy drunk who wastes his talents -- and his selfless sacrifice for the love he feels for Lucie Manette that remains with us. He is one of literature's most memorable tragic heroes, and is the story's most well-defined character. My only real criticism is that Dickens sometimes pushes the realism in just how many coincidences can happen -- Carton just happened to show up in Paris when Ms. Ross found her brother, and her brother just happened to be the only one capable of getting him in and out of Darnay's cell? But that hardly keeps this from being an enjoyable read, a classic.
4. Alexander Hamilton and the Idea of Republican Government
Author: Gerald Stourzh
Genre: Nonfiction//Political Science
Pages: 205
Rating: 4/5
This book is out of print and difficult to track down. I wish I had time to read it a second time before I return it to the library. This is, without doubt, the most extensive look into the reasons behind Hamilton's political beliefs. Being twenty-one, and not as yet well trained into the works of Cicero and Montesquieu as I need to be in order to fully appreciate the work Stourzh put into his research; understanding the ancient and enlightened philosophers can help one better appreciate the Founders' thoughts period. This is not a biography. It is also not a battle for who was right between Hamilton and Jefferson. Stourzh explains that when it came to being a statesman, Hamilton was a man of his time. He was driven by fame to found a republic, but maintained an old world style of governing that centered upon the virtue of honor; only elite, educated, and honorable men had a place in the highest offices. Moreover, Stourzh explains why Hamilton wanted an elected president and senate elected on good behavior, among others of his more controversial beliefs. He proves that Hamilton was as republican as the other Founders, and not a closeted monarchist. I would not recommend this book until one has read a biography on the man first. Stourzh's research is profound, but some of it is now dated; modern historians consider Hamilton's meetings with Beckwith no more treasonous than Jefferson's support of Michaux. But Stourzh is a professional, and his work has largely been under appreciated among people of this field.
1. Liberty's Blueprint: How Madison and Hamilton Wrote the Federalist Papers, Defined the Constitution, and Made Democracy Safe for the World
Author: Michael I. Meyerson
Genre: Nonfiction//Political Science
Pages: 223
Rating: 3/5
This book is separated into two parts. The first provides the time line from the failure of the Articles of Confederation to Madison and Hamilton's campaigning for the Constitution in Virginia and New York. Meyerson uses the second part to discuss the relevance of the Federalist in today's political world. It remains the most quoted resource of the Supreme Court, and has gained increasing popularity among so-called Originalists who desperately look for the Founders' intents. Should the Federalist be cited? Should it be discarded completely? Meyerson offers a more moderate approach to reading the Federalist Papers, where one can use the Founders' words to keep a judge's personal values from undermining the Constitution, but also allow for modern values to progress. Use research and your personal judgment. Not even Madison and Hamilton, two of the three-man Publius, could agree what the Constitution said.
That being said, I'd recommend this for students who wish to begin studying Constitutional history. It presents both the federalist and anti-federalist arguments, and points out Madison and Hamilton's shortcomings, the former in defending slavery and the latter in refuting a Bill of Rights. It lacks true depth and insight into the Federalist, and is not a dense analyzing of the work. Treat the book as a window into Publius' pamphlets, and you'll enjoy it.
2. The Art of Worldly Wisdom
Author: Baltasar Gracián
Genre: Nonfiction//Philosophy
Pages: 101
Rating: 4/5
Despite being written in the seventeenth-century, this is a timeless piece of wisdom. If you're a cynic, this is a book for you. Gracián presents the world three-hundred proverbs on his understanding of human nature. While he gives advice on how to get revenge on one's enemies, he also keeps a code of honor about it, lionizing virtue. He remains a realist. Humans are greedy, self-centered, ignorant, and irrational. Only a select few can reach a level of morality that makes them better leaders and superb human beings. Unlike Machiavelli, Gracián tried to make people better, despite their vast imperfections. Show no one your weakness, become self-reliant, keep only a few but trustworthy friends, never be seen as a fool, etc. Everyone should have this book on their shelves. It should be read, and read often. My only criticism is that Gracián is sometimes repetitive and even contradictory.
3. A Tale of Two Cities
Author: Charles Dickens
Genre: Fiction//Classic-Historical
Pages: 365
Rating: 4/5
This was the first fiction book I picked up in many months, and I'm glad I chose this before others. I have not had the pleasure of reading all of Dickens' stories, but of what I have read, this remains my favorite. I doubt I can give it any better praise than people before me, and I will not try. The book is divided into three parts as we are able to witness the rise of the French Revolution. Both Paris and London are cities of political unrest and patriotic paranoia. Best of all, Dickens creates an ambiguous background that allows the reader to see the goods and evils of both the aristocracy and the peasants. The Marquis is a detestable character, but so is Citizeness Defarge. We see the dangers of what can come of mob mentality, when a virtuous cause is tainted by lust for violence and heads. Charles Darnay falls victim to the uncontrollable hate the peasants feel towards the aristocrats, despite his virtuous deeds. Citizeness Defarge eventually becomes so out of control, she takes aim at his innocent wife and daughter. But it is Sydney Carton -- a lazy drunk who wastes his talents -- and his selfless sacrifice for the love he feels for Lucie Manette that remains with us. He is one of literature's most memorable tragic heroes, and is the story's most well-defined character. My only real criticism is that Dickens sometimes pushes the realism in just how many coincidences can happen -- Carton just happened to show up in Paris when Ms. Ross found her brother, and her brother just happened to be the only one capable of getting him in and out of Darnay's cell? But that hardly keeps this from being an enjoyable read, a classic.
4. Alexander Hamilton and the Idea of Republican Government
Author: Gerald Stourzh
Genre: Nonfiction//Political Science
Pages: 205
Rating: 4/5
This book is out of print and difficult to track down. I wish I had time to read it a second time before I return it to the library. This is, without doubt, the most extensive look into the reasons behind Hamilton's political beliefs. Being twenty-one, and not as yet well trained into the works of Cicero and Montesquieu as I need to be in order to fully appreciate the work Stourzh put into his research; understanding the ancient and enlightened philosophers can help one better appreciate the Founders' thoughts period. This is not a biography. It is also not a battle for who was right between Hamilton and Jefferson. Stourzh explains that when it came to being a statesman, Hamilton was a man of his time. He was driven by fame to found a republic, but maintained an old world style of governing that centered upon the virtue of honor; only elite, educated, and honorable men had a place in the highest offices. Moreover, Stourzh explains why Hamilton wanted an elected president and senate elected on good behavior, among others of his more controversial beliefs. He proves that Hamilton was as republican as the other Founders, and not a closeted monarchist. I would not recommend this book until one has read a biography on the man first. Stourzh's research is profound, but some of it is now dated; modern historians consider Hamilton's meetings with Beckwith no more treasonous than Jefferson's support of Michaux. But Stourzh is a professional, and his work has largely been under appreciated among people of this field.