Monthly Archives: July 2011

use your words

Right now one of the leading stories in the news is about the impasse over raising the “ceiling” of the American federal debt. It’s turned into a game of political chicken, with the deadline now only four days away, at … Continue reading

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why do we do it?

According to the philosopher Mortimer J. Adler, there are two reasons to read a book: amusement learning According to the economist Ludwig von Mises, there are two kinds of writer: creative artists businessmen Are these dichotomies telling me anything? For … Continue reading

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what am I reading? glad you asked

Ever since the age of about 18, I’ve never read just one book at a time. At first I probably added a nonfiction book to the novel I always had on the go, and then I started adding more—and more—nonfiction … Continue reading

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The Difference of Man and the Difference It Makes by Mortimer J. Adler

The Difference of Man and the Difference It Makes by Mortimer J. Adler My rating: 4 of 5 stars This philosophical analysis of the problem of “human nature” casts a strong and rare light on one of the most important … Continue reading

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The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell

The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell My rating: 5 of 5 stars One of the most important books of the 20th century, Campbell’s breakout text transformed the word myth from denoting something antique, primitive, and false into … Continue reading

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how to read like you mean it

I read with a highlighter. My brand? The yellow Sharpie Accent highlighter, which I get from Staples. I go through a package of four about once a month, and like to have a package or two in the drawer of … Continue reading

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on knowing what you’re doing

Even though I’m a writer and have always considered myself such, it’s only been in the last few years that I’ve taken any interest in literary criticism. My lack of interest was probably due to a number of perceptions I … Continue reading

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sketchbook: Friday 15 July 2011

ca. 1:30 p.m. PARK ROYAL SOUTH Vague subdued din of voices from the 2 wings of the food court. A modernistic setting with a curved ramp & great circles inset in the ceiling, glowing with blue recessed lamps hidden at … Continue reading

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The Epic Cosmos edited by Larry Allums

The Epic Cosmos by James Larry Allums My rating: 5 of 5 stars Looking at epics ancient and modern, each of the 12 essays in this collection offers deeply considered insights into the significance of epic as a literary form. … Continue reading

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know thy genre—if you can

One of my ongoing avenues of research and thought is the topic of genre. I got into this topic as a result of reading Robert McKee’s book Story, in which he stresses the need for a writer to know the … Continue reading

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