The following books were reviewed by my 16 and 18 year
old daughters and myself..
The Screwtape Letters-My daughter, Bryana, states that this book provides
“a look at Satan's destructive tactics. It is probably my favorite of
Lewis' books. Of all his works, I find this one the most relevant for someone
who is already a believer.”
The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith-“No other book has given me such a
complete picture of the ideal Christian life. Smith writes with conviction in a
gentle, understanding and approachable tone. Despite the fact that it is old
and uses some 19th century examples, this book is not outdated. It is
timeless.”
The God Who is There by Francis Schaeffer - “Only C.S. Lewis and possibly
G. K. Chesterton wrote better apologetics. This is one of my favorites.
Schaeffer writes firmly and leaves no room for debate but shows compassion. One
gets no feeling of condemnation from his book but only a deep sense of
understanding. Even a skeptic could possibly be induced to read it.
Unfortunately, the book is a little too technical and philosophical for the
average person today. Someone needs to do a re-write, because his ideas are way
too good to ignore (we recommend that you read How Then Should We Live?
first
The Age of Revolution by Winston Churchill- Well, my daughters had two different
opinions about this book. One said: This book is pretty dry and hard to
maneuver, but a good historical resource. I recommend the more curious
reader tackle it for the first and third term but Paul Johnson's book is enough
for the second term. The other said: This book covers in intriguing detail
a string of very important events preceding and influencing the American
Revolution, events which are otherwise pretty generally skipped over. Especially
the War of the Spanish Succession, the Continental War, and the Seven Years
(French and Indian) War. And without Marrin’s ‘Napoleon,’ it is the only solid
source on the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. It also provides an
account of, and insight into, the lives of leading figures in history – William
of Orange, Marlborough, and Eugene of Savoy, and is possibly my favorite of
Churchill’s histories.
Hmmm..... you decide.
Common Sense by Thomas Paine- Required reading in most American high
schools. Great essay. Entertaining and inspiring. Paine's arguments are not
historically accurate but very persuasive.
Letters to His Son by Lord Chesterfield- My daughter, Bryana states, “Some
sound advice and interesting as a study of the styles of letter-writing
employed in the day, but readers should watch for the Victorian empty morality
based on outward appearances rather than a pure heart.”
Miracle at Philadelphia- “A 'must read'- thorough account of the
Constitutional Convention. Details the noteworthy proceedings of each day, and
exhaustively relates the standing of each of the founders involved. Rather than
just dwelling on the "giants" like Hamilton, Franklin, Madison,
Jefferson and Washington, this book explains who else was involved and what they
said and thought. Excellent resource for someone who wants to know more about
the little guys - and why they aren't as frequently discussed.” (this book is
long. plan accordingly)
A History of the American People by Paul Johnson – A – Johnson’s text is engaging, readable and informative. Johnson
is very positive about Capitalism, and uses numbers to show how well it worked
in America. Being a historian, and a European himself, he is able to have some
perspective on the issue --- he realizes that while there was abuse of this
system in America, Europe’s oppressed have always been more oppressed.
America’s system gave the destitute opportunities to rise above their
situations. Johnson is entertaining, although you will find some
bias. He is a much more cheerful writer than Churchill. I enjoyed this book
very much.
Update: We've been reading A Patriot's
History of the United States by Schweikart and Allen and comparing it to
Paul Johnson's History of the American People. We like it a lot so far. It is a
slightly easier read the Johnson and, as every history book has its biases, we
like these authors' biases better than we like Johnson's. Liberals hate this
book, but they hate Johnson's book too. If you decide to use it, make sure you
get the updated version that has several minor errors corrected.
The English Constitution- A good read, although somewhat difficult, for an American
who wants a better understanding of the British mindset in the early twentieth
century. In a country founded on principles of universal freedom and equality,
the aristocrat finally gets his say. Recommended for more advanced students.
(alternatively, you can read the more important chapters. Intro to ch 4)
The Rights of Man- A must-read, but part one only. Paine's
deistic philosophy of government and human rights has been the standard in
public schools for years. His powerful rhetoric and incredible eloquence has
swayed literally millions of people. The student should read this book with an
awareness of Paine's influence on modern thought and only after or while
reading Edmund Burke's Reflections on the Revolution in France. The Rights of
Man was originally written to combat Burke's "Reflections" and is
incomplete when taken out of context, as has happened too often in the American
education system. In my opinion, Burke and Paine balance each other out and
neither should be read exclusively because each gives only one side of the
popular opinions on their day.
Reflections on the Revolution in France- Should be read with Thomas Paine's Rights of Man as he
refers to this book often. This book expresses the overlooked and
under-appreciated side of popular opinion in the days of the American
Revolution. Admittedly, it can be dry at times, but it is certainly worth the
effort. No student's education is complete without a chance to hear Burke's
(the British monarchy) side of the story in a country where for years we have
only heard Paine's (American democracy).
Are You Liberal, Conservative, Confused?- Maybury's book serves as a great example of Thomas Paine's
philosophy of government at work in modern society.
John Adams
by David McCullough “A Delicious read! Highly detailed account of the Adams'
family. John Adams is one of the most underrated of the Founding Fathers and
this documentation of his life, complete with letters and journal entries,
finally gives him some of the credit he deserves. The book also gives a taste
of the flavor of life at the time. I found the section on social issues in
France particularly intriguing, as well as the details of Adams' diplomatic
missions and tussles with Benjamin Franklin.”
Autobiography of Ben Franklin- Well-written and of great historical value. It isn't long
and we feel it's worth reading to get a picture of the man and his times,
although it does get tedious in places.
Founding Father by Richard Brookhiser- This biography of Washington
speculates about the thoughts going through the head of this very private man
in the years that he served our country. I appreciate the fact that the author
discusses the impact of Cato, and other works of Roman history and literature
(such as Plutarch’s lives) on Washington's life. While definitely being a
positive book, it gives a fair account, neither glorifying nor demonizing the
Father of his country. Maybe a little unfair in his portrayal of Washington's
personal faith, but the book below balances it out.
George Washington, The Christian by William
Johnson- Shows the faith of George Washington by viewing his journals and other
personal letters and writings.
Life of Johnson by Boswell (abridged)- Boswell's extensive biography of
Samuel Johnson is worth reading for more reasons than simply for the purpose of
learning about Johnson's life. Its vivid picture of life in London in the
eighteenth century is worth it for its' own sake. Through the eyes of Johnson,
Boswell and others, the book shows the typical English middle-class attitude
about such subjects as marriage, promiscuity, alcoholism, royalty, revolutions,
poverty, religion, clergy and virtue. However, in the style of most old-school
biographers, it glorifies Johnson unduly at times. (this book is long and
recommended for advanced readers.)
Napoleon and the Napoleonic Wars by Albert Marrin- Brief, but detailed enough to give a
good account of this period and a very enjoyable, easy read. Highly
recommended.
Founding Brothers by Joseph P. Ellis - gives details on some lesser-known
events surrounding the most prominent American founding fathers. The
information about Hamilton and Madison is especially important. The book also
combats some inaccurate depictions of feuding between the founders that is
suggested in some of the other books.
Royal Road to Romance- Great geography source. Halliburton is funny, educational
and intriguing. He is an author that can laugh at himself and his book is a joy
to read, although he is too fascinated with the opposite sex.
Undaunted Courage by Stephen E. Ambrose - Not only does this book give a
feel for the times, and for the attitudes of different classes in America in
the first years of the nineteenth century, but it also depicts the scene of
American politics during Jefferson's presidency, the Whiskey Rebellion, and
especially with regards to Indian affairs. As an extensive biography of the
depressive and suicidal Meriwether Lewis, it also deals with such issues as
alcoholism, leadership, destructive habits, and virtue in the early nineteenth
century.
Ourselves-
Charlotte Mason deals with issues of character using examples common to
students in the 19th century, but the concepts she covers are timeless. She has
a way of getting straight to the heart of an issue, which puts this work above
most Victorian treatises on virtue that deal too much with forms or with the
outward appearance. We read Book 1 in previous years together. Book 2 on
Self direction is read privately by my students.
Plutarch’s Lives- Being familiar with Plutarch’s writings has helped me so
much this year while studying the French Enlightenment and America’s founding
fathers. While Plutarch does deal with issues of character and he exercises the
mind with rich vocabulary, he does so in a pagan context. I think that it's
important not to unduly glorify Greek and Roman thought and philosophy, but to
learn how to glean the truth from it while remaining aware of the deadly evil
that coexisted in the same society. If Plutarch scares you, have your
student read Weston's version available used or at mainlesson.com.
The History of Rasselas- If you plan on reading Boswell's Life of Samuel
Johnson, you should read this book. The text is wordy and dated. However,
students familiar with the older language and long sentences can enjoy the
book. If you do not read Life of Johnson, skip this book.
She Stoops to Conquer- This play is a comedy of manners poking fun at a social
class. It is entertaining, and a good book to get a feel for the time.
The School for Scandel-We read this but decided to omit it. Year 9 is very full
and we felt this book wasn’t worth our time. My daughter states, “Stock
characters and a flabby story. There's nothing memorable about it and it's not
even good as strictly moralizing fiction since there is practically no moral
point in it whatsoever.”
Goethe's Faust edited by Walter Kaufmann- It is a story built on a myth about a professor who makes
a pact with the devil for the purpose of gaining knowledge. We thought we
didn't like Faust until we found this particular version by Kaufmann. I don't
think just any translation will suffice. Make sure your student reads
Invitation to the Classics' section on this book. The ideas in this book have
influenced countless people and it is important that your students is familiar
with the story. It is often referred to in other literature and historical
works.
The Count of Monte Cristo- “The account of a young man robbed of his future and his
bride by two jealous "friends," and his subsequent revenge. I found
this book delightful. Rather than being a vicious portrayal of vengeance, which
was my fear, I found it to be balanced and intriguing tale of life, love,
history, and justice. It does have elements of the horrific but all on the side
of the "bad guys," as is proper.” ( We recommend Barnes and Noble
abridged version. It edits some questionable parts for young people, however,
the abridgment is well done and still remains a 600 page volume.)
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift – Both of my daughters despised this
book. That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be read. It is a classic because of its
great influence on its readers in Swift's time. Let your student try to
understand Swift’s underlying message throughout the book. Unlike Daniel
Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, Swift is a pessimist. My daughter Shannon
states, “It must be appreciated for its inventiveness and originality, but is
ultimately depressing and despairing. The protagonist is despicable and the
book has unnecessary vulgarity. The final conclusion is that man is
entirely evil and irredeemable.
A Tale of a Tub by Jonathan Swift – “This is another sacrilegious work,
but I think it serves a far better purpose than Gulliver's' Travels. In A Tale
of A Tub, Swift complains about the corruption in the Church, using three
brothers to represent Catholicism and other factions of Christianity. This is
one of the few books that I would recommend researching before you read it. The
student may choose to skip the author's "digressions" which mostly
concern current events of Swift's day and distract from the real purpose of the
allegory.” - We read the Wikipedia article about this book before reading it
and skipped all Digression chapters.
Battle of the Books by Jonathan Swift - Another work worth researching before
it is read. It is a satire written about real events in Swift's day, concerning
literary progress. It is short and enjoyable.
Icons of Evolution by Wells- good choice for discussing the issues behind the evolution
debate and the false information in school texts that well-known evolutionists
admit should not be there. The arguments against evolution in this book are not
as simplistic as some creation books we have read. We also enjoyed the movie.
Eye-opening.
The Ethics of the Dust- (Not recommended) An account of the origin of
crystals and minerals mixed with beautiful thoughts about life, personal ethics
and character cultivation. The reader will notice that Ruskin does not seem to
be able to decide if he is writing for children or for adults. While many of
his concepts are for a mature audience, he talks down to the reader and can be
preachy. This can be frustrating at times, but is worth overlooking.
The Natural History of Selbourne (White) – Not recommended for American readers. We tried
this book but decided against using it. The author studied plants and animals
in a particular area of England and recorded his (sometimes faulty)
observations. With so many other good books, I don't feel this should be in the
curriculum unless, perhaps, for those living in that area today.
War of the Worldviews- “A synopsis of various worldviews with some good
arguments. The book is clearly written for Christian youth. DeMar doesn't spend
much time backing up his points and this type of writing quickly turns critical
readers off. No secularist could get through it without throwing a fit."
Post Modern Times by Gene Edward Veith - Another must-read. This one goes
right along with The God Who Is There, filling in where Schaeffer left
off, and using familiar examples from the nineties. Veith is able to deal with
such topics as abortion, Andy Warhol, pornography, television, video games,
mega churches, multiculturalism, and environmentalism, The book shows how the
ultimate effect of post-modernism is to eliminate man himself, in an abstract
way. It is a kind of "anti-humanism." Schaeffer dealt with this
concept when he explained how "the abolition of absolutes ends up reducing
man himself to zero", but Veith's summary is much more coherent to the
modern reader. We moved this book to year 10. Proofread this. There is some
mature content.
Sir Gibbie-
Bryana states, “This is by far my favorite of MacDonald's stories. I think it
portrays the love of Christ better than almost any other fiction book I have
read.” Avoid simple abridgments.
Pride and Prejudice- highly recommended for both sexes
The Scarlet Pimpernel- “This is a thriller and a page-turner. Full of mystery
and adventure, The Scarlet Pimpernel tells the story of a noble band of
Englishmen dedicated to freeing the French gentry from the hands of the
Parisian mob. But it is also a love story, set in the middle of a broken
marriage.”
The Good Earth-Personally, I don't recommend this book until a person is
married.
The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis- The conversations in this book are aimed at unearthing the
deceptions with which damned humanity defends its refusal of God. C.S.
Lewis is a favorite in our home.
Books by P G. Wodehouse- old British humor. We enjoy these.
Man Alive- this one is easier than The Man who was Thursday
The Man Who Was Thursday- Chesterton’s books are favorites around here.
Northanger Abbey- Don’t let this be your first Jane Austen novel. It’s
fair, but Pride and Prejudice is Austen’s best work.
Scaramouche-excellent book. Highly recommended reading that gives a better
understanding of how the French Revolution came about.
‘Til We Have Faces- “A wonderful reworking of the myth of Psyche and Cupid,
with deep spiritual insights.”
Waverly Novels-
some are better than others. Our favorites are: Ivanhoe, Kenilworth, the
Talisman and Rob Roy.
Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton – A – A must-read. The author achieved
something with his novel that is rare in the world of fiction: he succeeded in
writing a story that both flows with poetry and plays with emotions. An instant
bestseller when it was published in 1948, this is a phenomenal and
groundbreaking piece of writing about life in South Africa just before
apartheid.
How Should We Then Live? by Francis Schaeffer – A – What can I say about this book
that hasn’t been said already? Schaeffer is a wonderful thinker and
philosopher, and although he sometimes has difficulty bringing his thoughts
down to the comprehension level of the common man, this book is considerably
easier than The God Who Is There. I would recommend this book to those
who want to read a brief overview of history from a sound Christian
perspective. I also recommend reading this one before The God Who is There.
The Graves of Academe by Richard Mitchell – A – Phenomenal work on public
education theory. Mitchell is a little wordy and uses some exhausting
vocabulary, but he is amusing and entertaining as well as wise. I do not
endorse every part of his theory of education, but the book is more an expose
of the taxpayer-supported public system than a manual for educators. I really,
really liked this book.
Arguing About Slavery by William Lee Miller – A – My favorite non-fiction book in
Year 10, Arguıng About Slavery tells the fascinating story of the
Congressional debates on slavery just twenty-five years before the Civil War.
The book focuses on John Quincy Adams’ enormous role in bringing the issue to
the forefront of the American political struggle. One of the most interesting,
amusing and inspiring history texts I’ve ever read.
Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard – A – In an age when spiritual
disciplines and discipleship are being neglected by much of the western church,
Willard’s book serves as a good wake-up call. He encourages the church to get
serious about growing and maturing, and discusses the power that is unleashed
in God’s people when they choose to purify themselves for the purpose of
seeking the Kingdom.
Death Comes For The Archbishop by Willa Cather – A – Historical fiction novel about
Catholic priests in New Mexico in the mid-19th century. The book paints a
powerful picture of its time and place. The character profiled is a European
who has chosen a life of lonely mission work, cut off from his family and
making his home in a foreign and bleak desert. Cather does a fantastic job of
showing the worth of the man and his work, even though he is neither famous nor
widely influential. The novel’s central point is expressed in the words: “To
fulfill the dreams of one’s youth – that is the best that can happen to a man.
No worldly success can take the place of that.”
Civil War Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott – A – The hospital sketches are short
and can be read in one sitting, but powerfully moving and give a good feel for
war in general and the Civil War in particular. I cried through the second half
of the book.
On Liberty
by John Stuart Mill – A – While I don’t think that Mill is right on with
regards to all issues of public policy, he does make many excellent points in
this thought-provoking volume. This book should be compared and contrasted with
Frederick Bastiat’s The Law. Mill’s theories coincide with Bastiat’s
libertarian theory of political freedom – however, in practice, Mill’s ideas
heavily influenced modern social liberals in the west.
The Microbe Hunters – A – The Microbe Hunters is fun, engaging and
well-written. Even people with little interest in science (myself, for
instance) will be sucked into the intriguing stories of the men who discovered
and scoped out the fields of pathology and microbiology.
The Arts
by Heinrich Willem Van Loon – A – I continue to find The Arts a whimsical and
delightful account of art history. Parents should be aware that the author is
an atheist and his take on religious issues comes through in his writing. But a
high schooler well- grounded in truth should be able to handle it just fine.
Wuthering Heights by Charlotte Bronte – A – Although it is a dark, and
sometimes depressing read, I thought that Wuthering Heights was worth it. The
story profoundly underlined and re-enforced the importance of moments,
especially in the shaping of a child’s character, and it placed a strong
emphasis on the dangers of unchecked sins. Now, months after finishing the
book, I begin to realize that it has influenced me more than most fiction I
have read. And it does end on a cheerful note!
O Pioneers! by Willa Cather – A – Cather’s short novel about a
struggling homesteading family in Nebraska is a bit bleak, but, as with Death
Comes For The Archbishop, this factor somehow doesn’t make her writing
depressing --- only thought-provoking. O Pioneers! had me soberly evaluating my
own dreams and hopes for the future – an excellent read for the older student.
I found that it affected me in much the same way as Wuthering Heights, and was
intrigued to learn that Cather was a great admirer of the Bronte sisters.
Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington – A – The story of Booker T.
Washington’s remarkable life tells how he made something of himself through
hard work and dedication -- even in a society where he was disadvantaged and
unlikely to succeed. I was most inspired by the second half of the book, which
details the policies and practices implemented in the schools he founded for
African-American youth and adults.
One Blood
– A – This short little book is not only a concise summary of the biblical case
against racism, but also shows how the Theory of Evolution contributed to the
racist attitudes of the civilized world.
The Vision of the Anointed by Thomas Sowell – A – I highly recommend this volume on
public policy and socio-political issues. Sowell’s points are backed with
overwhelming numbers and pages of citations. His volume demands to be
respected, even by those who disagree.
Killer Angels by Michael Shaara – A – Killer Angels covers just
four days of the Civil War, including The Battle of Gettysburg. It is detailed
far too precisely to be considered non-fiction, and yet deals almost entirely
with historical characters, causing the reader to feel that he is reading a
historical text of some kind. This makes it a very powerful written
dramatization, so to speak, of the war. The movie Gettysburg was based
on this book and is a good supplement.
Plutarch’s Lives by W.H. Weston – A – This is an excellent re-telling of
several of Plutarch’s Lives. Weston retains the rich language and moralizing
tone, but removes unnecessary digressions so that the stories flow smoothly and
are not difficult to understand. There is also an explanation before each
reading that gives historical background.
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt – A – Novel about a farm boy whose life is
profoundly affected by the American Civil War. Although he doesn’t go away to
fight, he watches his brothers leave to join two different sides of the same
war. This heartbreaking story uses strong imagery and plot complications to
portray the plight of a rural American family during this national conflict.
Chesterton’s Essays by Gilbert Keith Chesterton – A – I recently heard someone
say that Chesterton is brilliant even when he is wrong- and he’s usually right.
His essays are thought provoking and quite delightful to read.
The Woman In White by Wilkie Collins- A-A mystery set in Victorian Britain,
concerned with the nefarious exploitation of two very different women by a
selfish, scheming blackguard of a baronet who is hiding a devastating secret.
Told by several different people, it is a story of mistaken identities,
asylums, amnesia, and secrets on all different levels. The intricate plot is
eventually resolved by a young artist, who makes incredible sacrifices in order
to do the right thing. Complicated, serious, and unpredictable, the story ranks
as one of my favorites in the classic mystery genre.
God In the Dock by C.S. Lewis-A-A collection of apologetic essays on
theology and ethics that provides enlightening discussion on relevant
controversies and covers all kinds of topics, from vivisection and women in the
Church to Dualism and Natural Law. It is the intellectual approach to
Christianity at its finest, made from every conceivable angle. Serious, but
maintaining a light style throughout, it is a wonderful example of Lewis’
ability to put things simply and obviously, so that everyone can understand.
The title is taken from one of the included essays, wherein Lewis aptly
recognizes that in this day and age, the concept of God is on trial in the
minds of the masses. And that is really what the book is about.
The Picture Of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde- A-Set in 19th century England,
tells the story of a handsome, naive young man who is seduced by a worldly
‘friend,’ and after making a bargain with the Devil, trading his soul for
eternal youth, he plunges into a life of ultimate luxury, debauchery and excess
of every kind, systematically going through every worldly pleasure imaginable,
and ruining the character of everyone he comes in contact with. His friends
grow old, and he remains young and beautiful and charming, but the real state
of his soul is reflected in a once-beautiful portrait an old artist friend once
made of him, a portrait that decays and morphs into a monster over time. When
his wild life eventually leads to murder, his unfulfilled existence becomes a
tortured nightmare, and he tries to destroy the portrait of his soul, and ends
up killing himself. The story is haunting and powerful and the book’s wit and
eloquence in portraying both sides of the argument is unmatched.
The Great Democracies by Sir Winston Churchill –B-Churchill focuses on political
history, covering the period of time from George IV and the Reform Act, to
World War I. Complicated, detailed and very informative, it provides a sense of
time and place and a comprehensive picture of the events it illustrates.
Crowded with names, titles, battles and dates, it is a little dryer and less
interesting than the preceding volumes in the series, but I believe that is due
less to the author’s skill or lack thereof, than to the simple fact that as we
get further into more modern and recent history, and more embroiled in
political complexities, history itself cannot help but lose some of the epic,
glamorous, almost legendary qualities that attended it when the world stage it
took place upon was significantly different than it is now, and when the story
was simpler because there was less to know about it, since it happened so long
ago.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown – B – While I’d like to give this book an A
for style, readability and layout, its unfair bias brings its score down to a
B. Brown is so intent on telling the story from the perspective of the Indians
that he often omits telling all of the story. I found this frustrating, and
while I enjoyed the book and learned a lot of history which helped me form my
own opinions about the U.S. Indian policy, I felt like the author was too
concerned about my taking the side of the Indians, and that I would have to
have another source if I wanted to get a clear picture of what really happened.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe the Indians were grossly mistreated and this is a
blight on our history. However, I came away feeling I only heard one side of
the issue.
Sesame and Lilies by John Ruskin– B – Ruskin will always be a bit rambly,
but Sesame and Lilies was much better than Ethics of the Dust. I can’t
recommend Ethics of the Dust. I can recommend this book. The lectures are for
adults, and thus not as fanciful and childish as his lectures for the girl’s
school. They deal with such varied topics as the noble position and responsibilities
of women, the importance of purposeful and detail-oriented reading, the decline
of real interest in the arts and the corruption of the industrial age as a
result of greed. The second lecture, dealing with the position of women, was
especially good.
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A’Kempis – B – The book highlights many
important issues neglected by much of the church today – the temporal nature of
life on earth, the holiness of God, and the lethally destructive properties of
sin. My biggest issue with Thomas A’Kempis’ classic devotional work is the
author’s depiction of negatives – such as grief, suffering, etc. – as being
holy in their own right. A’Kempis suggests that with the world being as
perverted as it is, grief is a holier thing than joy. Of course, this is not
biblical at all. If we have a sin in our life, we are meant to grieve over it
and turn away from it. Then we are meant to “rejoice in the LORD always. Again
I will say it: rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) A’Kempis was living in an age when the
church was overwhelmingly aesthetic in its teachings, and had not yet learned
to balance spiritual disciplines with a holy and proper enjoyment of God’s
gifts.
Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss – B – 19th-century first-person
novel written in the form of journal entries by a young girl. This book is a
little dated and the author was clearly influenced by Thomas A’Kempis. Overall,
I enjoyed the book. It tells the story of a woman’s journey through adolescence
and into adulthood, all the way up until her death, as she grows into maturity
and draws closer to God.
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy – B – Novel that deals with the Russian
aristocratic class during the Napoleonic wars. The book is about as long as Les
Miserables, though it does not come close to capturing humanity and emotions in
the way that Hugo’s work does. War and Peace is especially fun to read after
finishing Marrin’s Napoleon, because it describes in fiction the historical
events that Marrin writes about.
The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come by John Fox – B – Novel about a Kentucky
orphan who grows to manhood during the Civil War. In order to follow his
conscience, he is forced to pick sides in the conflict and offend his
benefactor. A little old-fashioned, but enjoyable.
How To Read a Poem by Burton Raffel – B – I hate to have to give this
fabulous book a B, but while Raffel has detailed a remarkably interesting and
in-depth study of poetry, the sexual themes and imagery in some of the poems he
analyzes are not appropriate or healthy. I cannot recommend the book without
this warning. Parents will want to read it first and edit.
Beacon Lights of History (Volume X) by John Lord – B – John Lord died in 1894, so his
text and style is necessarily a little dated. However, this antiquity is also
the strong point of Beacon Lights of History – many of the events that Lord
writes about were current events at the time! The author’s own take on some of
issues comes through in his writing and this personalization makes the reading
more memorable. While the other volumes I’ve read were biographical
collections, Volume X deals with events -- notably with the Crimean War, the
Italian Revolutions and reform deals in the British parliament. It overlaps
with Churchill’s The Great Democracies on some issues involving Britain,
but I think that Beacon Lights gives a clearer and better presentation
of these topics. The readings are long and I wasn’t able to finish the entire
volume.
Silas Marner by George Eliot – B – Story of a miserly and misunderstood
old weaver living in a quaint British village. After his money is stolen, Silas
Marner’s loneliness is interrupted by an abandoned child that is found on his
doorstep. As he grows to love the little girl and to consider himself
responsible for her, Marner finally begins to mature out of his selfishness.
The story’s plot is something of a fairytale -- in the end, evil is punished,
and good rewarded. Eliot attempts to tell us that nothing can escape the
governing of God, and that everything will come together in the end.
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence – B – This collection of Brother
Lawrence’s letters is inspiring and encouraging, although the religious
language of the day fails to do adequate justice to the mystery and glory of
which he attempts to write.
Evaluating Books – What Would Thomas Jefferson Think? by Richard
Maybury – B – While Maybury makes a lot of good points in this little
volume, the main problem with it is expressed in the title: What Would
Thomas Jefferson Think? Maybury bases his judgments about political
policies on the opinions of Jefferson and other Founding Fathers, rather than
on a belief system that is consistent with the Bible. It’s still an informative
read.
Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton – B – It would perhaps be fair to say that
Glimpses of the Moon doesn’t get really good until the end. The novel is
about a young couple who learns almost too late about the sacredness of
marriage and the irrelevance of money in comparison. Although they are not
portrayed graphically there are some mature themes, such as adultery, discussed
in the book. We replaced The Great Gatsby with this novel because even
though both books give the reader a better understanding of the decadent
lifestyles and ideals of many people during the 1920's, Wharton's story has
redeeming qualities, whereas Fitzgerald's does not.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe– B – It is rumored that Lincoln
referred to Harriet Beecher Stowe as “the little lady who wrote the book that
made this great war.” Uncle Tom’s Cabin is long, but not a difficult
read. Stowe exaggerates to make her point. Nevertheless, this book
awakened the American public to the evils of slavery in her day.
The Book Of The Dun Cow, by Walter Wangerin –B -A community of farm animals, led
by the cantankerous rooster Chanticleer, suddenly find their world threatened
by a terrible new Evil, incarnated in the serpentine rooster Cockatrice, who,
seducing a weak-minded neighboring rooster chief, has escaped from his
confinement in the deep places of the earth and bred an army of basilisks to
conquer the world. A fierce struggle ensues, followed by a victory made hollow
when the farm animals realize that the defeated Cockatrice was only the
forerunner of a far greater Evil. Character driven, with powerful, emotional
writing and a focus on gripping (and sometimes revolting) imagery,
nevertheless, I though it to be a confusing story with obscure allegorical
elements, possibly capable of different interpretations.
The Hound Of The Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle- B-Another thrilling Holmes
episode - clever, unpredictable, and satisfying, though somewhat lacking in
depth.
The Prisoner Of Zenda by Anthony Hope- B-Story of an idle young British chap
traveling in Europe who gets himself caught up in a complex whirlwind of
startling events, due to a chance physical resemblance that obliges him to
impersonate the young King of the imaginary country of Ruritania. He rises out
of his lackadaisical complacency to meet the challenge, and embarks on a
desperate escapade to rescue the real King and free Ruritania and the beautiful
Countess from the hands of his Majesty’s evil rival, Black Michael. In three
tension laced weeks full of action, romance, court intrigue, and unexpected
temptations, his life takes on new meaning while he manages to maintain his
sacred honor and put things to rights, at the expense of his own happiness.
Very short, plot-driven, and exciting, but not exceptional.
The Importance
Of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde C-A Victorian play about two typical rich scoundrels and
their typica,l boring love affairs, with no lack of careless, superficially
clever dialogue, silly feminine affectations, and pacification of annoying
relatives. With shallow characters, cheap and very unfunny humor, the whole
thing is an infinitely pointless waste of wit. Coming from the author of Dorian
Gray, it is a dreadful letdown, ino. (I'm Shannon : )
Moby Dick by Herman Melville – C – Moby Dick is one of
the few classics that added nothing to my life. The story, which is already
slow-moving and not very interesting, is fraught with digressions giving
inaccurate scientific accounts concerning whaling issues. The main theme of Moby
Dick is the powerlessness of humanity before the will (or whims) of
nature/fate/God. The author also spends some time attempting to equalize
religions – he repeatedly expresses that the “cannibal” Queeqeg has as much or
more of a real religion as the Christian Ishmael, and that neither belief
system can be said to be superior to the other.
Walden
by Henry David Thoreau – C – Honestly, I have to say I found Walden a
bit overrated. The book is not really a nature writing – it struck me as more
of a conglomerate collage of varied, unrelated and sometimes contradictory
philosophical statements. Walden dwells at length on the importance of the
simple life as a means of minimizing waste and helping others, but admits that
he himself does nothing to help others. He says fishing is a wholesome pursuit
and a means of connecting with nature, but that eating meat is a barbarous
habit. Students may, however, wish to become familiar with the work for the
reason that it is so widely known. We have chosen to remove Walden
from the curriculum as a nature reader, and instead, scheduled just one chapter
-in order to at least become acquainted with this well-known work.
Amusing Ourselves to Death (Neil Postman) – A -A
must-read. Reveals the sinister nature of the visual entertainment culture and
the demise of literacy and rational thought as a result of the pervading medium
of television and television-based communications. We probably took more away
from this book than from any other book this year, and would definitely rate
this as one of the most indispensable books in Year 11.
Economics in One Lesson (Henry Hazlitt) – A -This a splendid introduction to classical economics and debunks eloquently and with common sense a slew of Keynesian myths and fallacies, providing the student with a more realistic picture of the economic scene than would be offered by most economic textbooks. Hazlitt’s book is based on Frederic Bastiat’s essay, “What Is Seen and What Is Not Seen” and written in the tradition of The Law.
Economics in One Lesson (Henry Hazlitt) – A -This a splendid introduction to classical economics and debunks eloquently and with common sense a slew of Keynesian myths and fallacies, providing the student with a more realistic picture of the economic scene than would be offered by most economic textbooks. Hazlitt’s book is based on Frederic Bastiat’s essay, “What Is Seen and What Is Not Seen” and written in the tradition of The Law.
A Concise History of the 20th Century (Martin Gilbert) – A- -The author
covers deftly and skillfully an era of great trauma, great changes and great
conflicts. Due to the fact that the book includes so much information and
presents it so concisely, students should definitely narrate frequently and be
encouraged to discuss what they’ve read in order to help them to retain the
kaleidoscope of events set before them. His biases come through and we don't
always agree with them, but overall, provides a solid, engaging narrative of
history. (We will be using A Basic History of the United States by Clarence
B. Carson for our other children.)
Ernie Pyle’s War (James Tobin) – A- Wonderful biography of an exceptionally tenacious combat journalist in World War II. The book includes samples of Pyle’s most enduring columns covering the war. While this work is a biography, its most enduring integral theme is that of the conflict itself and of the spirit of humanity under the pressure of overwhelming disaster. Pyle himself had a troubled personal life and the cloud of his failed marriage does hang over the book at times.
The Glimpses of the Moon, by Edith Wharton – A-Set in the jazzy 1920’s high life of the upper class, the
story of Nick and Susie Lansing and their matrimonial experiment highlights the
emptiness of a glittering social world that is built out of compromises. The
book is an emotional and satisfying read that not only raises questions about
the true nature of love and commitment, but also provides sincere answers.
All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque – A-Remarque takes the reader behind German lines during World
War I in this compelling first-hand account of an average soldier’s life on the
Western Front. The story is told from the perspective of the men, scarcely more
than children, who went and fought without a real reason, without asking why.
Eats, Shoots and Leaves (Lynne Truss) – A Truss’ delightful book serves as a
refresher for issues of punctuation in writing. Students will appreciate this
last look at sentence structure that is too much fun to be considered a
“course” of any kind.
Hitler (Albert Marrin) – A Marrin’s biography not only tells the personal, chilling
life story of the infamous dictator but also giving a concise and simple
account of WWII which serves as an excellent summary. The section about
Hitler’s childhood, which is not covered by any of the other historical texts
in the curriculum, is especially interesting and crucial to arriving at any
kind of understanding of the man. The book is an easy read for any Year 11
student and can be finished in a few weeks.
The Lord of the Flies (William Golding) – A- Bryana says,
“One of my favorite books from Year 11, the Lord of the Flies is a masterpiece
of fiction, dealing memorably with issues of original sin and the warped
condition of humanity. He exempts no one from the tragedy of human fallenness,
bringing children and adults alike under its yoke. Golding writes with a
command of language that stuns and his depictions of ugly things are
heartbreaking rather than grotesque. Note that the book was not intended as some
form of biblical allegory and should not be taken as such. Rather, it reflects
certain truths about humankind in a loose but effective way.”
The Men Behind Hitler (Bernhard Schrieber)– A -A fascinating
and chilling look at the culture of eugenics and racial cleansing that led to
the Nuremberg laws and Nazism. Important book.
How
Green Was My Valley (Richard Llewellyn) – A -A Novel
about a Welsh boy growing up amidst hardship in a village caught between the
old and the new worlds. Llewellyn’s writing soars with poetry and captures the
exquisite beauties of a gone-by way of life. The book offers a wealth of
insight into the human condition. There is some mature content and two
questionable scenes. Parent’s may wish to preview.
Theodore Roosevelt’s Letters To His Children – A -An easy read,
and highly recommended. This collection of Roosevelt’s letters to his children
shows the man’s broad and varied fields of interest and how his great
appreciation for knowledge and endless pursuit of wisdom caused him to be able
to enjoy the world widely. It provides fresh insight into Roosevelt’s
character, and is a nice example of what a healthy relationship between father
and child should look like.Compare his letters to Lord Chesterfield’s with your
student.
Darwin’s Black Box, by Michael Behe –A-Shannon
writes, “This book makes a compelling case against Darwinian evolution on the
molecular level. Behe explains why certain biochemical systems are too complex
to have evolved gradually. Good for advanced students or those with a keen
interest in the subject.”
Icons of Evolution by Wells- A -If you choose not to use Darwin’s Black Box, Icons of
Evolution is a good choice for discussing the issues behind the evolution
debate and the false information in school texts that well-known evolutionists
admit should not be there. The arguments against evolution in this book are not
as simplistic as some creation books we have read. We also enjoyed the movie.
Eye-opening.
Safely Home (Randy Alcorn) – A -Christian
novel about a wealthy American businessman who reconnects with an old Chinese
roommate and discovers another side to the American cultural conception of
China. While the writing quality of this novel about the persecuted Church is
not especially good, it’s fast-moving and an easy read and offers a glimpse of
a world of which most Americans know little. Very helpful for students that
haven’t had the opportunity to travel to a third world country.
Bleak House (Charles Dickens) – A -I’ve heard
this book called Dickens’ most mature work. I concur. Although the title’s grim
tone suggests a desolate storyline, I found Bleak House to be one of Dickens’
cheerier stories. This isn’t to say that the tale is not fraught with
unpleasantness and even tragedy, but the strong and sweet character of the
protagonist puts the grotesque aspects of the narrative into perspective.
Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury) – A -One can imagine Ray Bradbury throwing his hands up and
saying hopelessly and little pitifully, “I wasn’t trying to predict the future.
I was trying to prevent it.” This novel is a sinister and poetic warning about
may come to pass. Lovers of literature and liberty everywhere will appreciate
it.
Modern Fascism (Gene Veith) – A - With his usual brilliance and knack for cultural
commentary, Veith examines aspects of the fascist theory that gave rise to
Nazism and their alarming prevalence in western culture during the 21st century
and throughout the latter half of the 20th century.
Reading Between The Lines (Gene Veith) – A -This is an excellent primer for Christians embarking on the adventure of exploring great literature. Veith illuminates the murky and confusing panorama of Western literary history in a concise and readable style. Chances are you’ll come away from this volume freshly inspired to read more and read better books.
Reading Between The Lines (Gene Veith) – A -This is an excellent primer for Christians embarking on the adventure of exploring great literature. Veith illuminates the murky and confusing panorama of Western literary history in a concise and readable style. Chances are you’ll come away from this volume freshly inspired to read more and read better books.
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, by Alexsandr Solzhenitsyn- B-An eye-opening
account of life in a Soviet labor camp, this provides a glimpse into the narrow
existence of men who have been mechanized and disconnected from their humanity.
Includes strong language.
The Chosen (Chaim Potok) – B -Novel exploring Jewish-American culture during World War
II, and examining the differences between the Hasidic sect and the Zionist
movement. Informative and thought-provoking, but not indispensable. A student
should not read this book without a general knowledge of Freud, and an
understanding of his worldview, as Freud is a central theme. (Freud is
discussed in Seven Men Who Rule The World From the Grave)
Sophie’s World (Jostein Gaarder) – B -Sophie’s World manages to offer a
history of philosophy in the form of a readable and engaging novel. The version
of history that it offers, however, (particularly in the second half of the
book) is doubtful. Christian culture is cast in an unfavorable light and
progressive clichés of enlightenment are interspersed throughout the
story. As it was originally written in Swedish, the language doesn't
always flow well. I assume that much was lost in translation. It would be good
to read this with The Consequence of
Ideas by Sproul, Jr.
Seven Men Who Rule the World from the Grave (David Breese) – C -We are not huge fans of this book. Breese’
writing style is heavy with clichés and Christianese depictions. Seven Men
lacks the gracious and transcendent air of the other worldview books on the
curriculum (Schaeffer, C.S. Lewis, Chesterton, etc.) and the author leaves the
reader with the impression that he is grasping at straws to convey preconceived
notions that he is not willing to lay out for scrutiny.
Only Yesterday: An Informal History of the 1920s (Frederick Lewis Allen)
– B, C? While I learned a lot from this
very engaging and informative book, I recommend its removal from the curriculum
due to the persistent progressive bias of the author. I felt that the whole
book was tainted by his anti-Christian attitude and his subtle mockery of
traditional values. I also felt the need to verify many of his claims through
independent research before I could trust him. While a very discerning older
reader could enjoy this book, I would still advise supplementing it with
another text from a less antagonistic author.
The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemmingway -C -This short story of a
Cuban fisherman’s struggle with a giant marlin is obscure at best and subject
to different interpretations. The author entertains a few lightly-developed
themes, including honor, endurance, and man’s ambiguous relationship to Nature,
but ultimately leaves the reader with a pervading sense of the pointlessness of
effort.
Eyewitness to Power (David Gergen) – C -An insider’s
look at several presidential administrations including those of Nixon, Reagan
and Clinton. We weren’t big fans of this book as it concentrated mainly
on the author’s personal experiences and his opinions about the administrations
he served under, and didn’t give enough actual information. While adults who
lived through the episodes that Gergen writes about may appreciate the book,
students who don’t have that context will need to supplement the reading with
research of their own. Gergen is also a moderate and he paints the world of
politics as centering around public opinion and the “spin” that political
figures put on their actions, rather than on ideas and principles. We removed
it from the curriculum.
Brideshead Revisited (Evelyn Waugh) – C -Bryana says, “My low
letter grade for this book does not fail to take into account the sheer poetry
and flow of language which makes it an enjoyable read. There’s no doubt that
Brideshead is charming. Overall, however, I didn’t feel like it offered a
strong enough point to redeem all of its ugliness. This novel seeks to portray
the crumbling of the British landowning aristocracy in the 1920s, and succeeds
in making fun of both the older and the younger generations. This “fun,”
however, is, for the most part, too grim to be laughable. Its many references
to sexuality and alcoholism become redundant and are not used to a good purpose
but drag the book into one long episode of pointlessness. While the last scene
of the story involves the protagonist making a right decision, it isn’t put
into enough context to really be meaningful. Year 11 already has several books
with a similar story line. We felt this one was just too much and removed it
from the curriculum.”
Pigs in Heaven
(Barbara Kingsolver) – C -Although there were
several objectionable aspects of this novel about an abandoned Cherokee child
and her adoptive family, I felt like the most destructive of these was the
book’s central message: children from non-white cultures usually can’t be
integrated into American adoptive families in a healthy way and must retain
ties with their own people groups. While it’s true that cultural sensitivity
and awareness is a must for families who want to be involved in international
adoption, the notion that an orphaned or socially orphaned child’s best option
is always that of adoption by his or her own ethnic group is a concept that has
crippled international adoptions all over the world and continues to hold many
children in conditions of extreme poverty and abuse. This book served in large
part to reinforce that notion which I consider to be a very harmful one, and
its storyline was mediocre at best.
Realms of Gold
(Leland Ryken) – A -If classic literature intimidates you, especially in the
high school years, we recommend this excellent book. The introduction alone is
worth the price of the book. Dr Ryken explains why the classics are important
to us today and counters common fallacies and misconceptions about them. He
also points out the merits and dangers of myth and fantasy genres, then
proceeds to walk the reader through some of the more important classic works
and reveals their worth and many-layered themes. Some of the works discussed
include:
Homer’s Odyssey, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Shakespeare’s
Macbeth, Milton’s Paradise Lost, Dickens’ Great Expectations
How to Read the Bible as Literature ... and Get More Out
of It by Leland Ryken-A- This is an excellent Bible study tool. Biblical
misinterpretation can lead to a crisis of faith. It is extremely important to understand the
context and literary devices being used when reading from this great book. Mr Ryken reminds us that the Bible should not be treated as as a
theological treatise. It is a mixture of genres, some literary, some
expository. Story (narrative) is the primary genre. He believes this is because
people like to experience the truth rather than being told it directly. The
experience moves us in a deeper way. This is exactly why we are educating our
children with living books--truth wrapped beautifully in story.