Book Club Suggestions

Okay, it turns out you folks like my crackpot book club idea. So we're going to do it. First step, of course, is to pick the book. So I'm going to offer two suggestions of my own, and you can either back me up in comments, or propose other candidates. After I see what you folks are into, I'll winnow the list down and we'll have some sort of vote.

The Populist Persuasion by Michael Kazin. A history of populism, in all its American forms, focusing on its rhetoric, communication, and aims. Goes all the way from the agrarians to Perot. Kazin's a great writer and a smart thinker. In the 15 pages I read before an article deadline interrupted me, there was much underlining.

John Kenneth Galbraith by Richard Parker. Readers know the importance I place on Galbraith in the canon of liberal thought. This is a remarkable book, and I'd welcome the chance to read it again, and with more thought. The problem is, it's long. And while well-written, the ideas are complex and it can move somewhat slowly. I'm worried folks will drop out. Also, biographies tend to have periods which are simply expository -- what can we really say about his youth on a farm?

The UAW and the Heyday of American Liberalism by Kevin Boyle: Combines a few of my obsessions in fairly obvious ways. Plus: You hear so much about the unreasonable demands of GM's workers and the crazy benefit packages they negotiated. I'm rather interested in getting into the context of all that.

Okay, those are mine. Now you go.