Book of the Month Archives 2024

I'll Take My Stand (Southern Agrarians)
Though I don't 100% agree with the contents of the book, there are some genuinely good takes regarding the unfulfilling nature of modern life as a result of the post-industrial order. This book is a series of essays by twelve Intellectuals  rooted in the Southern United States known as the Southern Agrarians. Some of them had reasonable takes, others were just reactionaries with a romanticized vision of a long dead Old South.  It is, at the very least, a must read for anyone who wants to understand the thought process behind mainstream American conservatism.

The New Class War: Saving Democracy From the Managerial Elite (Michael Lind )
This book is a must read for anyone with an interest in politics, it goes into the origins of the insidious ideology known as Neoliberalism and how it came to permeate every facet of modern American society. It also discusses ways to begin reclaiming the public sphere from these pseudo-technocratic/meritocratic elites and discusses the disastrous effects of the Neoliberal era's policies on American Society.

Small-Town America: Finding Community, Shaping the Future (Robert Wuthnow)

A very well researched book detailing the life and politics of the heart of American Civilization, the town. While also pointing out the political nuance that is common within Small Town America, despite the Infotainment-Industrial Complex's best attempts to manipulate the public into believing otherwise. While shedding light on the issues plaguing our communities.

American Covenant: A History of Civil Religion from the Puritans to the Present (Philip Gorski)

This book touches upon the controversial role of religion in American society, going all the way back to the Pre-Revolutionary Era. The basic gist is that America is a Deist country with Christian influence, and that American philosophy draws from a mix of Christian, Deist and Secular sources. Using various epochs of American history and various historic figures as references.

Hate Inc: Why Today's Media Makes Us Despise One Another (Matt Taibbi)

A compelling and revealing read elaborating on why the modern American news model is so uniquely bad. He draws upon his expereiences as a journalist and expands upon Noam Chomsky's concept of "Manufucturing Consent". He points out that the current media system is an extension of the entertainment industry but it has been twisted and distorted for political purposes.

Steal this Dream (Larry Sloman)

This book details Left-Wing Anarchist provocateur Abbie Hoffman's career, and sheds light on the formation of what would become the New Left during the 70s, while also providing insight into the Left at the time in the aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement.

El Norte: The Epic and Forgotten Story of Hispanic North America (Carrie Gibson)

Covers Spanish North America from Columbus era to modern times, from Florida even into the Nootka Sound in Canada; as well as the wider Southwest. It also compares French, English and Russian colonization efforts to Spanish colonization. It also draws attention to America's Hispanic roots and influence, this influence which makes the US truly unique as a civilization.

Aloha Rodeo: Three Hawaiian Cowboys, the World's Greatest Rodeo, and a Hidden History of the American West (David Wolman and Julian Smith)

This book follows, Ikua Purdy and his cousins, a group of Paniolos out of Waimea, whose family were raising cattle since the late 1700s. It also details their influence on Cheyenne's first Frontier Days and discusses the Paniolos. Californian and North Mexican Vaqueros were brought in to teach Hawaiians how to rope and herd cattle more effectively. Paniolos fused Hawaiian culture with Western culture through cultural exchange with the Mainland, they would weave Leis into their hats and their saddles were made in a local style known as the "Hawaiian Tree Saddle". 

101 Great American Poems (Various Artists)

Go-to compendium of culturally and historically significant poetry; from Langston Hughes to Edgar Allan Poe, from the 1700s to the 1980s. One of my personal favorites being Annabel Lee, which I have memorized by heart.

Norman Rockwell Collection (Thomas S. Buechner and Norman Rockwell)

Norman Rockwell's greatest and most well known works; from paintings to magazine covers. It also includes a brief biography of the legendary artist, as well as information on the techniques he used to breathe life into his illustrations of American Civilization. 

Frederic Remington Masterworks (Michael Edward Shapiro and Peter H. Hassrick)

This book surveys the Western Artist Frederic Remmington's life, career and his works. From his paintings to his statue works. It includes scholarly essays and samples from letters, to provide a multifaceted overview of Remington's life and career.

For Profit Democracy: Why the Government Is Losing the Trust of Rural America (Loka Ashwood)

This book using Rural Georgia as a case study, sheds light on why Rural America, namely in the South, has been trending more and more libertarian-minded. It is due to Corporate America's capture of Government and it's rampant Neoliberal policies ruining livelihoods, property rights and infrastructure of rural communities.