I’ve been a reader my entire life, a seeker, if you will, even when I haven’t known for sure what it is I’m seeking. And at my current age, 75, sometimes I’ve asked myself why I keep reading when there’s little likelihood of passing on what I learn. I realize though, more and more, that what I discover, what I learn, is for me. Knowledge is power even in the current era, maybe even especially important in view of what has been happening to democracy in the United States and also abroad. I may be only one small and rather elderly human being, but I am not alone. There are many other people out there, also learning, reflecting, thinking...and resisting, each of us in our own way.
Sometimes I’ve used reading to escape but as I’ve gotten older, not so much. There is too much out there for me to read, to learn from. So, I follow a bunch of Substacks, favorites being Joyce Vance, Heather Cox Richardson, and Robert Reich...plus many others. Lately I’ve been picking up some “classics” that I’ve skipped over and I’ve rediscovered my passion for reading history. Howard Zinn and his “A People’s History Of The United States” and also his “Voices Of A People’s History Of The United States” should be required reading for anyone trying to understand how we’ve become the country that we are. And Isabel Wilkerson’s “The Warmth Of Other Suns” and “Caste” have further opened up my brain to understanding. There are piles of books in my home awaiting my attention, courtesy of The Dusty Bookshelf, an independent bookstore nearby. I go there with no particular subject or book in mind and the books I need to read unfailingly find me.
Now I have your latest recommendations: Timothy Snyder was already on my radar from his contributions to Substack. I’m not exactly sure about the other two books, but I get the sense that I need to read them for knowledge that I lack.
So, what exactly is my point in all that I’ve written? Maybe it’s the fact that learning should be life long, that it’s a journey that we never complete. And that we never know exactly where or when inspiration will come from, but by being open, new discoveries, different ways of seeing things are always possible. Ultimately, knowledge really is power, personal power and group power...and it leads to growth and understanding.
I love this! Thank you, Diamond-Michael, for your thoughts and for these recommendations. I'm going to link to this in my next post as a resource for my readers. I so appreciate your perspective, your courage, and your thoughtful analysis. What a gift you are to this world!
All your points and recommendations are to the ultimate means of survival in this crazy world. I can't say enough of how much I agree and support the premise of your posts in general. I only wish MORE people would/could find your Substact on a regular basis.
I don't have time to read your post right now, Michael, but I am excited to. While I haven't read any of the books on your list yet, I am familiar with all the authors. I'll add them to my TBR after reading, I'm sure. For the past few months, I have concentrated on reading about people who inspire me. Right now, I'm reading about Paul Farmer, the physician who selflessly served the poor. I very much appreciate your thoughtful consideration of current events and your reading recommendations!
I am currently reading three books: one about 1950’s prosecutions of Nazis, one about the search for the beginning of the White Nile, and one about escapees from a Lithuanian concentration camp. I completely concur with your comments about reading. I recently published a review of On Tyranny and will publish reviews of the above three books.
Your writing is haunting, evocative, and emotive. The reviews were a big tease. Books have always been my window into many worlds and possibilities. Thank you for this beautiful essay. Now I must budget for more books!
I’ve noticed that I’ve made it more of a point to read books. Even my car rides went from booming music to enlightening audio books. Staying true to my authenticity these books are more focused on spiritual wisdom and connection. While some are “fiction”, the world created within them are a reflection of oppressions we still face today. With the added bonus of how to stay strong while resisting, stay authentic to one’s self, connect to the earth and all her creatures, and navigating a new path and new ways. I’m not looking for ways to just survive what’s happening I’m looking for new ways to rebuild.
I’ve been a reader my entire life, a seeker, if you will, even when I haven’t known for sure what it is I’m seeking. And at my current age, 75, sometimes I’ve asked myself why I keep reading when there’s little likelihood of passing on what I learn. I realize though, more and more, that what I discover, what I learn, is for me. Knowledge is power even in the current era, maybe even especially important in view of what has been happening to democracy in the United States and also abroad. I may be only one small and rather elderly human being, but I am not alone. There are many other people out there, also learning, reflecting, thinking...and resisting, each of us in our own way.
Sometimes I’ve used reading to escape but as I’ve gotten older, not so much. There is too much out there for me to read, to learn from. So, I follow a bunch of Substacks, favorites being Joyce Vance, Heather Cox Richardson, and Robert Reich...plus many others. Lately I’ve been picking up some “classics” that I’ve skipped over and I’ve rediscovered my passion for reading history. Howard Zinn and his “A People’s History Of The United States” and also his “Voices Of A People’s History Of The United States” should be required reading for anyone trying to understand how we’ve become the country that we are. And Isabel Wilkerson’s “The Warmth Of Other Suns” and “Caste” have further opened up my brain to understanding. There are piles of books in my home awaiting my attention, courtesy of The Dusty Bookshelf, an independent bookstore nearby. I go there with no particular subject or book in mind and the books I need to read unfailingly find me.
Now I have your latest recommendations: Timothy Snyder was already on my radar from his contributions to Substack. I’m not exactly sure about the other two books, but I get the sense that I need to read them for knowledge that I lack.
So, what exactly is my point in all that I’ve written? Maybe it’s the fact that learning should be life long, that it’s a journey that we never complete. And that we never know exactly where or when inspiration will come from, but by being open, new discoveries, different ways of seeing things are always possible. Ultimately, knowledge really is power, personal power and group power...and it leads to growth and understanding.
So beautifully shared Audrey. Thank you. 🙏
It's also a good way to recuperate from daily stressors.
I love this! Thank you, Diamond-Michael, for your thoughts and for these recommendations. I'm going to link to this in my next post as a resource for my readers. I so appreciate your perspective, your courage, and your thoughtful analysis. What a gift you are to this world!
Thank you! I appreciate you reaching out to connect on this.
All your points and recommendations are to the ultimate means of survival in this crazy world. I can't say enough of how much I agree and support the premise of your posts in general. I only wish MORE people would/could find your Substact on a regular basis.
I don't have time to read your post right now, Michael, but I am excited to. While I haven't read any of the books on your list yet, I am familiar with all the authors. I'll add them to my TBR after reading, I'm sure. For the past few months, I have concentrated on reading about people who inspire me. Right now, I'm reading about Paul Farmer, the physician who selflessly served the poor. I very much appreciate your thoughtful consideration of current events and your reading recommendations!
Hi Linda, so great to hear from you. Yes, Paul Farmer — great man! What book are you reading?
I'm reading Tracy Kidder's Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest for Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World :D
Epic. Those sound like great reads.
I am currently reading three books: one about 1950’s prosecutions of Nazis, one about the search for the beginning of the White Nile, and one about escapees from a Lithuanian concentration camp. I completely concur with your comments about reading. I recently published a review of On Tyranny and will publish reviews of the above three books.
Great to hear. Can’t wait to see your review of On Tyranny.
https://open.substack.com/pub/marcfriedmanesq/p/book-review-on-tyranny-twenty-lessons?r=tq8hk&utm_medium=ios
🙏
Your writing is haunting, evocative, and emotive. The reviews were a big tease. Books have always been my window into many worlds and possibilities. Thank you for this beautiful essay. Now I must budget for more books!
I’ve noticed that I’ve made it more of a point to read books. Even my car rides went from booming music to enlightening audio books. Staying true to my authenticity these books are more focused on spiritual wisdom and connection. While some are “fiction”, the world created within them are a reflection of oppressions we still face today. With the added bonus of how to stay strong while resisting, stay authentic to one’s self, connect to the earth and all her creatures, and navigating a new path and new ways. I’m not looking for ways to just survive what’s happening I’m looking for new ways to rebuild.