Books That Changed Me

In the most recent issue of the Webster-Kirkwood Times, the publisher ran a column about the influential books of his youth. Along with the surge of interest in George Orwell’s 1984, it got me thinking. So I am going to list my Top 20 (in alpha order; my youth lasted a little longer than normal, so this list goes into my first few years of teaching) and challenge you to list yours, as well, either annotated or not, as you choose. Just the list is on Facebook (and the chart above), but if you’re interested in why (I think) I made these choices, the reasons are annotated below.

1984............................................................... Geroge Orwell

This dystopian fiction seemed like Sci-Fi when I first read it in the ‘60s. It was my first real introduction to the importance of language and history.

A Doll’s House.............................................. Henrik Ibsen

Other Ibsen plays also resonated, but this one about breaking the (in this case) female stereotype grabbed me.

All Quiet on the Western Front............ Erich Maria Remarque

Oh, the irony and horrors of war.

Candide......................................................... Voltaire

“All is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.” Not so much.

Crime and Punishment............................. Fyodor Dostoyevsky

We all want to think we’re exceptional…. An existential classic.

Hitler: A Study in Tyranny........................... Alan Bullock

I thought it was great history, a brilliant psychological profile of an evil mind.

I’m Okay, You’re Okay................................. Thomas Harris

Pop psychology (a cognitive therapy). Less important in and of itself, but for where the books we read afterwards on transactional analysis (Games People Play, Eric Berne; Born to Win, James and Jongeward) that changed the way we reacted to each other and our daughter. TA has fallen out of favor, and cognitive therapies don’t work for everyone, but they sure helped us navigate some tough years. Still works, IMO.

Invisible Man................................................. Ralph Ellison

Brilliant tale on what it’s like to live outside the norms. Dramatically altered my views on life and race. Life changing.

J.B............................................................. Archibald Macleish

A play, the story of Job, told in verse. Although probably not many churches would approve. “If God is God, he is not good; if God is good, he is not God....” Made me think. A lot. Still.

Les Misérables................................................ Victor Hugo

Yes, we also love the musical, but read the book for its take on social injustice.

Man and Superman........................................ George Bernard Shaw

And many, many other plays by Shaw. Don’t skip the stage directions. The “Don Juan in Hell” scene is worth a read all by itself. If there is a heaven and/or hell, I like Shaw’s take.

Manchild in the Promised Land.................... Claude Brown

Harlem and heroin (Brown described its power that we’re witnessing today) 50 years ago. More insight on race.

Red Badge of Courage.................................... Stephen Crane

The horrors of war and combat. What we think we will do and what we do seldom jibe.

Skin of Our Teeth.......................................... Thorton Wilder

I like all of Wilder’s plays, but this is my favorite. History and future of human-kind. Still works.

Stranger in a Strange Land............................ Robert Heinlein

The sci-fi classic is more about society than science. This is one I want to revisit.

Sybil............................................................... Flora Schreiber

Although an extreme case, taught me that not all mothers are deserving of love and honor. We must recognize them as the flawed beings they sometimes are.

The Crucible.................................................. Arthur Miller

This allegory of the McCarthy Communist Witchhunt still gives pause. Could it happen again? You betcha!

The Martian Chronicles................................. Ray Bradbury

Especially “The Martian.” Find this if nothing else. What happens when you try to please everyone.

The Ugly American................................. Burdick and Lederer

As a teen-aged expat, this book about our diplomatic failures in Vietnam offered lessons on how we were being perceived by others. Given credit for being an impetus to the founding of the Peace Corps. First introduction to the Law of Unintended Consequences.

The Way It Spozed To Be............................. James Herndon

Should still be required reading for every young teacher and teacher to be. You have to teach who you are, not who you’re “spozed to be.” Also hilarious.

To Kill a Mockingbird................................... Harper Lee

Because it was the first “real” piece of literature that I read on my own (chalk this one up as an example of positive peer pressure). Fortunately, I liked it.

Yes, I know there are 21 here. I had to add one as I wrote this and didn’t want to take any out. Bonus points if you can figure out which one is the interloper.

R•E•S•P•E•C•T

Donald J. Trump is now President of the United States. Once again our country has navigated a peaceful transition of power (despite dire predictions to the contrary by some who were certain, without evidence other than their own, dislike may be too mild a word, that President Obama and his “libtard” minions would somehow try to subvert the process). Please note, I am referring only to the official transition, not the actions of anarchists.

I have tried to be respectful, really I have. I know that I honestly do respect any number of individuals who voted for Mr. Trump because I respect their life accomplishments. I even understand, at least on an intellectual level, the frustrations that led to their decisions. Still, perhaps I did fail in that regard. Some have at least implied that. Some obviously took personally my expressed doubts about the new president and his fitness for the office he now occupies and translated that into personal disrespect. I must also admit, however, that perhaps my attempts at respect were superficial, masking my inability to understand with words, but no sincere feelings or empathy. I also admit I was often gritting my teeth as I typed and perhaps that came through.

It’s a conundrum. I respect the Office of the President of the U.S and will continue to do so. I will, I keep telling myself, give the office far more respect than so many people gave it during the Obama years. (I certainly won’t shout out “Liar” during a speech or make “ape” or other subtext racist references about the President or First Lady. I won’t criticize his appearance, his wife, or his children.) I will reserve my criticism for actions with which I disagree and not descend into personal attacks. The former is my right (and duty) as a citizen; the latter makes me no better than those who were so viciously partisan and personally despicable for the last eight years.

But I do not respect the man; I do not respect Donald J. Trump. It’s not about his beliefs (even if I could figure out what he really believes), nor is it about his plans for the country (whatever they are this week). I might disagree with those, but they don’t create any problems in terms of respect. I do not respect Donald Trump, the man, because he is not a good person. There is no evidence that he possesses any personal character traits that are admirable or that fit my core values of honesty, loyalty, integrity, respect or kindness. I have no respect for bullies. I find it ironic that the “party of personal responsibility” is being led by a man who never taken any personal responsibility for anything, who has never made a mistake, never apologized, never been at fault for any failure. I do not understand how any woman can be an ardent supporter (not the same as voting for him as the “lesser of two evils”). His demonstrated attitude toward women precludes any personal respect from me.

Nevertheless, it is now up to me to somehow navigate that narrow path between respect for the office vs. respect for the man. I am skeptical, but perhaps the office will (magically) imbue Mr. Trump with some new admirable personal traits that have been previously camouflaged or suppressed. I would love for that to be true and will try to stay alert to the possibility (however remote) that he will grow in office. I am more inclined, however, to adapt a golf adage, “The office doesn’t grow character, it reveals it.” But maybe I’ll be wrong and, if so, I am hopeful that I’ll be honest enough with myself to admit it if it happens. I truly do hope so.

Good luck President Trump. We will see what the future holds. May you truly inspire greatness for all our citizens.

Please note. My concerns are not for myself, not personal. They are for the country. As an affluent white male, I have no personal worries. In fact, I am more likely to personally benefit economically than so many who actually voted for him. Unless the entire country goes to hell (Trump haters’ concerns that we’re there already are overstated in my view), my family and I will be fine, no matter what kind of president he turns out to be.