Blogger Alison Morris over at Publisher's Weekly asked her readers a really fascinating question: After yesterday's momentous election, we've got a new President heading into office. If you could give Barack Obama ONE BOOK to read before he takes the helm, what would it be? Summarized below are a few of the answers her readers gave. What one book do YOU think he needs to read?
Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich.
Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution and How It Can Renew America by Thomas Friedman. Required reading for the coming decades, and I hope he DOES read it.
The Omnivore's Dilemma. Our food system has implications beyond diet: environment, trade, oil, labor, health care--all sorts of issues involved.
With all the issues he faces, he also has many competent advisors. However, to me the most critical domestic issue is health insurance. With that in mind, I would give him Blue Vendetta by Hugh Ellis. It offers a perspective on a corrupt industry that I have never seen elsewhere. A true MUST READ.
The Power of One
Tacky as this may sound, I'd give him a Star Trek book. Firstly because it envisions a future where people from different worlds can come together and not just live harmoniously but use their unique perspectives to solve the challenges they may encounter. Second because it reminds us that no matter how far we travel, no matter how much we discover, there's still another great adventure waiting for us just over the horizon.
The Book of Calamities by Peter Trachtenberg. It's a multifaceted consideration of suffering in the world and how people confront it and overcome it. Very inspiring.
Anything by Jonothan Kozol. We need to rethink education funding in this country.
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Startling insight into overcoming terrorism in Pakistan and Afghanistan with schools, rather than guns. Obama needs to understand that education wins hearts a lot better than killing.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment