Now reading Alexander Solzhenitsyn's short novel
“One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich,” which chronicles the cruelty of daily
life in a Soviet prison camp. My Bantam Classics version is 144 pages.
Review - "Dignity: Seeking Respect in Back Row America" by Chris Arnade
Dignity: Seeking Respect in Back Row America by
Chris Arnade is a powerful and insightful exploration of the class divide in
America.
Arnade believes that in the US, there is
front-row America and back-row America. Front-row Americans have credentials
and advantages and upward mobility. They often stigmatize and ridicule the
people in the back row. Back-row Americans hang out at McDonald’s and at
churches — two places they find acceptance and community. And they sense it when
their worldview and their religion are belittled.
Arnade traveled to cities and towns across
America where back-row Americans live: the Bronx, New York; Selma, Alabama;
Bakersfield, California; areas in Maine, Nevada, and elsewhere. He interviewed
them and photographed them. (
It is worth noting that many front-row
Americans happen to be like Arnade — politically progressive. Progressives often think they know what is best for the underclass, but they are oblivious that
their advice comes across as shallow and condescending to back-row Americans.
The back-row Americans you encounter in this
book will change the way you see working-class and lower-class Americans. Click here to buy from Amazon.
"Letters to Philip" by Charlie Shedd
Letters to Philip: On How To Treat a Woman was one of several books I read while preparing
the father of the bride speech I gave at my youngest daughter’s wedding. This 128-page
book—first published
in 1968—is truly an
oldie-but-goodie. Pastor/counselor Charlie W. Shedd offers tons of wisdom and
insight on building a great marriage. Many of the points, though, are dated and
quaint. A valuable book but unfortunately I doubt many people under 50 would
find it useful.
I finally read "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" by Leo Tolstoy - wow!
The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy is a
powerful cautionary tale about the dangers of living your life according to the
dictates of society. Ivan Ilyich grew up climbing the social ladder,
structuring his life according to what was considered proper by the upper echelon
of society. He married his wife because he thought it was time for him to get
married — but she was demanding and their relationship was unpleasant. His
children and his friends were self-absorbed. Outwardly Ivan Ilyich seems to
have led a successful life, achieving promotions and a nice house. But
on his deathbed facing a terminal illness, he comes to the overpowering
realization that his obsession with propriety and decorum had left his life
meaningless and unsatisfying. It’s the kind of intense book that you think
about for days after you finish it. A masterful work. (The length — just
60-plus pages — is a bonus.) Check the price at Amazon here.
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