What should the President read? [ Edited ]

[Jon_B]

I thought some folks here would enjoy this article:

From Books, New President Found Voice

I noted back when we were discussed The Post-American World in our Current Events board that Barack Obama is a fan of the book.  This article concerns his love of books in general and how, to a large degree, both his political success, idealogical position, and personality are related to his being an avid reader.

Much has been made of Mr. Obama’s eloquence — his ability to use words in his speeches to persuade and uplift and inspire. But his appreciation of the magic of language and his ardent love of reading have not only endowed him with a rare ability to communicate his ideas to millions of Americans while contextualizing complex ideas about race and religion, they have also shaped his sense of who he is and his apprehension of the world.

 

Aside from making the great point that reading a lot can help you go far in life, the article mentions some of Obama's favorite authors - which raises the question, we know now what Obama enjoys reading.... but what should he be reading?

Suppose Obama's office contacted you and appointed you as the Presidential Reading Czar, and your job was to provide a list of books for the new President to read that would be the most useful to him as he starts his new job.  What would you pick, and why?

Message Edited by Jon_B on 01-19-2009 07:49 AM

[Jon_B]

I originally posted this in the Community Room the other day but I think it might do better among the politically minded folks in here..

[Everyman]

The Bible

Plato's Republic

Plato's Gorgias

Milton's Paradise Lost

Plutarch's Lives

Gibbon's Decline and Fall

Montaigne's Essays

The concepts of truth, justice, and personal integrity are not new.  They are ancient and universal.  He will do best by going back to books which are not overladen with short-term contemporary problems and issues, but rather by going back to the books that strip these concepts of transient temporal distractions and lay bare the concepts of how to govern wisely and how to live a just life.

[Choisya]

Perhaps he will need the Little Book of Calm?   I note that he has read Moby Dick but I guess he will have little time for reading such weighty tomes now and may want some lighter fair.  Satirists perhaps?  What American satirists would folks recommend?    

I also think he should get a Kindle so that he has a very wide selection on hand at all times.  

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Jon_B wrote:

I thought some folks here would enjoy this article:

From Books, New President Found Voice

I noted back when we were discussed The Post-American World in our Current Events board that Barack Obama is a fan of the book.  This article concerns his love of books in general and how, to a large degree, both his political success, idealogical position, and personality are related to his being an avid reader.

Much has been made of Mr. Obama’s eloquence — his ability to use words in his speeches to persuade and uplift and inspire. But his appreciation of the magic of language and his ardent love of reading have not only endowed him with a rare ability to communicate his ideas to millions of Americans while contextualizing complex ideas about race and religion, they have also shaped his sense of who he is and his apprehension of the world.

 

Aside from making the great point that reading a lot can help you go far in life, the article mentions some of Obama's favorite authors - which raises the question, we know now what Obama enjoys reading.... but what should he be reading?

Suppose Obama's office contacted you and appointed you as the Presidential Reading Czar, and your job was to provide a list of books for the new President to read that would be the most useful to him as he starts his new job.  What would you pick, and why?

Message Edited by Jon_B on 01-19-2009 07:49 AM

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[PerritaNegrita]

How about the holy books of each major religion in the world? 

[CuriousGeoff]

I think he should read all the major religion's holy books and a bunch of philosophical stuff, so we have a president who can look and think critically about any situation while understanding where the people in question are coming from and exactly what he can do about it.

And the Constitution wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

[Omnigeek]

I'd say he should start with The Constitution and follow up with The Federalist Papers.  After that, I'd recommend

A More Perfect Union

A Monetary History of the United States

Capitalism and Freedom

The Hockey Stick Illusion

Lies the Government Told You

Atlas Shrugged

Starship Troopers

The Notebooks of Lazarus Long