Oh, man. Lots of stuff since I last updated.Candide by Voltaire
Number two on my Reading For Fun Challenge. Short, witty, and pretty dirty if you squint the right way. Although it's sharp satirical edge has been blunted by the passage of time and subsequent changes in society, its central message still holds true: Stop complaining and do something about it! Maybe more people today should quit whining and read this book. Oh, if only El Dorado was a real place, I'd pack my bags today.
Critical Americans by Leslie Butler
Glaring oversights. Far too long for too little discussion. Apparently economic matters didn't concern Civil War-era liberal reformers.
Homo Ludens by J. Huizinga
Every aspect of our society is derived from play, even (especially) our law system. Huizinga's work is insightful, especially the opening chapters. His argument was radical about fifty years ago, but it is fairly integrated into our cultural mindset today. Still, its worth a quick look.
The Age of Reform by Richard Hofstadter
This well-known work details the various reform movements from the post-Civil War Era to the New Deal. I'm so not a historian, but his arguments seemed well-founded. A fairly easy read, considering it is basically a history textbook from the 1950's. I would have like more information about the New Deal. And man, do I hate Populists now.
