Tag Archives: books

Why I prefer non-fiction

The short answer is: because I learn something. I read novels, and I enjoy them; mostly they are either escapist (Baldacci, Michael Connolly) or moving, thought-provoking and admirable (Theo of Golden, Julian Barnes, Fredrik Backman, Dickens). I am usually reading at least two books, one of which is fiction and the other is non-fiction. I’mContinue reading “Why I prefer non-fiction”

My time with Robert Reich and Naomi Klein

Over the last couple of weeks I read these two books. Robert Reich’s book “Coming Up Short” and Naomi Klein’s book “Doppelganger.” Reich’s title is a play on the fact that he is extraordinarily short (just under 5 feet tall) and the fact that our democracy has come up way short in recent years. IContinue reading “My time with Robert Reich and Naomi Klein”

All the Presidents (Are) Men

I realize that it’s obvious – all of the US Presidents have been men, and all but one have been white men. (tall white men.) I’m not sure that’s served us well. I think back on the Presidents who have been in office that I can recall having an opinion about. Nixon was clearly aContinue reading “All the Presidents (Are) Men”

Are we a heartless nation?

I have never thought so. I was brought up to believe that we – the USA – are not only the most powerful nation on earth, but also the one that takes care of the world. We spent billions in Africa, we ran to the defense of a multitude of peoples who we thought wereContinue reading “Are we a heartless nation?”

I’d like my parents back, please

Last year my kids gave me a couple of Christmas gifts that will last. My son gave me a book called Dad, I want to hear your story. It was filled with questions about my life and I spent months filling it in, as stories came to me. My daughter gave to my wife andContinue reading “I’d like my parents back, please”

What is conservatism?

I was speaking with a friend of mine (who is still a friend) who asserted that he was planning to vote for Donald Trump “because he’s a conservative.” I decided not to explore what he meant by that but I ponder it now, assisted by Heather Cox Richardson’s book “Democracy Awakening: Notes on the StateContinue reading “What is conservatism?”