Marcus Bastos

Bellow the reviews of two books I just finished (it was a long road...).
First History of Western Philosophy, by Bertrand Russel:
This book its about philosophers (some of them) and philosophies. Russell, in a clear and concise style, exposes the ideas and the social context of the most important philosophers in the Western until Dewey. The philosophers’s main arguments are examined and criticized. Russell gives his thoughts about the main questions and presents the alternatives one may have when study the distincts systems of thought conceived by different men in diverse epocs. An amazing work about philosophy.

Second Battle Cry of Freedom, by James McPherson:
The civil war was a pivotal moment in american history and in the making of the country. McPherson's work esposes in a readable way the decisives facts of the ephoc and gives a fundamented account of its meaning. The author made an impressive research about the matter, telling the story with a slightly sympathy for the Union cause. A great book that leads to a great reading.

I have had History of Western Philosophy on my shelf for ages. I am encouraged that you liked it.

Anything by Bertrand Russell always seems intimidating to me. But still the promise of an overall history intrigues.

Wondering what lead to reading on the US Civil War.

Just reading about American history. I have listened the former volumes in the Oxford History of the United States and liked a lot. Good works with a careful research by the authors. Besides that, American history relates in certain way with Brazilian history.

Brief review of History of Civilization - Our Oriental Heritage, by Will Durant:
The first volume of The History of Civilization gives to the reader a good bunch of information about regions and people most of us (westerners) ignore. The text is readable and enlightened. The author gives his thoughts about the facts examined. The first and the last chapters discuss the idea of civilization. The others chapters examine the easterns regions and peoples, its beginings, development and achievements. One will profit a lot with this reading.

Renaissance A Very Short Introduction, by Jerry Brotton:
The book is well written and examine importants aspects of Renaissance. An introduction that gives the reader (or the listener) a glimpse into the historical facts of the time and the literary and artistics works produced. Short book with valuable informations.

>5 MarcusBastos: i picked this volume up once and started it and like it enough i foresaw myself working through Durant's whole series. And then for whatever reason i never got back to it. Still, i have a mind to read it sometime.

>5 MarcusBastos: >7 dchaikin: I did too. My dad loaned me the first. I enjoyed it. Maybe I should look into these again.

The Souls of The Black Folk, by W E B Du Bois:
The collection of essays by W E B Du Bois shows the injustices and misunderstandings that our prejudices develop. The negro bondage and the ideas it spread in american society are explained. The way black folk react and adjust to this human inequality is the main subject of this valuable work. The chapters about the black faith and church are written in a beautiful style. The book sucedes in demonstrate that our prejudices are often the cause of our problems and miseries.

Bertrand Russell The Problems of Philosophy: Russel confines himself in epistemology. He discuss the problem of knowledge and the conditions by with it can be achieved. The concept of truth is examined, with emphasis in the realist position. Truth as coerency is also mentioned. The author exposes his ideas about the meaning and purpose of philosophy. Good work that deals with importants philosophical problems.

Brown v Board of Education, by James T Patterson: The context of Brown vs Board of Education and its legacy are well explained by James Patterson. The deep roots of racism in society cannot be simply overcame by a judicial decision, even by a Supreme Court one. The importance of the American Supreme Court decision though, most not be underestimated. The Court, overcoming an older precedent, opened the way for a more just society, one in with prejudices played a lesser role and new ways of social arrangements can be imagined. James Patterson told the history of Brown vs Board of Education, pointing the challenges faced by men and women that fought against racism and inequality.

The U S Supreme Court A Very Short Introduction, by Linda Greenhouse: The judicial branch of government in the United States had a remarkable development. Linda Greenhouse introduces the reader to the Supreme Court, its formation, development and the role it performs in the public square. The Supreme Court's decisions shaped importants aspects of american life and gave to the Judiciary a crucial position, one of protagonism in the social arena. The book made insightful remarks about the composition of the Court, the way its members are choosed and the rules that governed its works. In this short work one has a valuable resource about the rule of the law in american democracy.

The Nine, by Jeffrey Toobin: Jeffrey Toobin account of the U S Supreme Court gives the reader a clear perception about its works and its role in the american political system. The composition of the Court, especially in recent time, and the way its works are exposed with reference to particular events in the Justices lifes. The process of nomination and confirmation of the Justices is explained, in order to show how the Constitution wisdom is perceived by the three branchs of government. The author makes a case for the argument that the ideology of each Justice ultimately determines the outcome of the cases they see.

Catherine Osborne, Presocratic Philosophy A Very Short Introduction: One can relate to Presocratic philosophy as a history of thinkers trying to solve some few importants questions, specially the cosmology one. Catherine Osborne choses another path, one in which the presocratics examined various problems with no specifically order. This work introduces the reader to the ideas and doubts of men that lived in 5th and 4th centuries BC. The exposition is clear and the reader's benefits enormous.

R C Sproul, Foundations: This series of lectures about systematic theology presents the main questions of the field with the assumptions of reformed theology. R. C. Sproul gives a clear exposition of the differents themes, giving the reader a path to immerse in the treasury of God's Word.

The Oath: The Obama White House and the Supreme Court
Living Constitution
The US Supreme Court, in a range of crucial matters, is a divided house. Five conservatives judges and four liberals ones dispute constitutional interpretation. The results sometimes seems unpredictable. Jeffrey Toobin, in a continuation of his previous book (The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court), describes the relationship about the Obama administration and the Supreme Court (2010-2013). The nominations of Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Keagan, their backgrounds, the facts leading to some importants decisions (Citizens United and Obama Care) are exposed. Toobin's text is clear and informative. The language is understandable for the non expert and suitable for the law professional.

>16 MarcusBastos: Thanks for your thoughts on this book. I am interested in reading it and The Nine: Inside the World of the Supreme Court now after learning more about the book.

Chistianity and Liberalism
J. Gresham Machen
The main points of the christian faith are clearly exposed by Gresham Machen in order to refute liberalism. This work, though written in 1923, anticipates the controversies faced by christian churchs in recent time, as an effect of the development of liberals ideas. Christian ortodoxy, the author points, is chistianity plain and clear. Christian faith is not a mere way of life. It is a message based on facts and with an achievable meaning. The work great merit consist in explaining the christian message, pointing to the facts in with its based and giving its meaning.

I wish you good readings!

Socrates: A Very Short Introduction, by C. C. W. Taylor: Socrates quest for wisdom and truth and his strategy to achieve it are well exposed by C. C. W. Taylor. The main features of Socrates think are presented with the diverses dialogues that it maintain with others greek thinkers and schools. His influence in the philosophies of his time and in future philosophers and schools of thought are mentioned, with specially attention to Hegel, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche. Usefull reading that help one understand some features of postmodern life.

Uncertain Justice, by Joshua Matz and Laurence Tribe: The US Supreme Court decisions give us the meaning of constitutional rights found in the US Constitution. Its precedents set the constitucional law, pointing the way in with lower courts should decide a vast array of cases. The book examined the Roberts Court, referring to the decisions adopted until the 2013/2014 term. Gender equality, the right to privacy, States and Union rights, campaign finances are some of the points explored. When two constitucional values collide in a judicial case, the final decision is unpredictable. The outcome is uncertain but, as long as different points of view are considered and one history and tradition are concerned, justice is served.

Plato: A Very Short Introduction, by Julia Annas:
A glimpse of Plato's life and thought is exposed by Julia Annas with clarity and in a readable way. The philosopher early life, his background and his contemporaries in the philosophical endeavor give the reader some insights in order to interpret Plato's works. Some of the understandings advanced by the author are disputed but in no way misleading. Plato's main concepts and ideas are refered in a compreensible way. The reader with special interest in Plato's philosophy will profit by this reading. As usual in the Very Short Introduction series, one must not have previous expertise in the field for the purpose of enjoying the ride in Plato's philosophy.

The Religious Affections: How Man Will Affects his Character Before God, by Jonathan Edwards:
James states that "pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world" (chapter 01, v. 27). Jonathan Edwards, in this well grounded essay, shows the biblical concept about true religion. The Scripture is his object of work. The christians are his audience. His argument gives emphasis in the fruits produced by a christian whose life belongs to Jesus. In order to recognize this, one has to be aware of the false prophets and must not trust in his feelings. "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jeremias, chapter 17, v. 9) Man has to search and develop the wisdom from above, with "is first pure, than peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hipocrisy" ( James chapter 3, v. 17). The author's exposition definitely suceeds in showing the meaning of true religion.

>22 MarcusBastos: What interesting reading you're doing! I liked Julia Annas' introduction to Plato's Republic as well (not a VSI, but a book published by OUP in 1980 I think). She writes very clearly. Have you read it?

Not yet. I'm actually in a marathon of philosophical readings... Trying to not loose the desire... My aim is to grasp something about philosophy's history. For this purpose, the VSI collection is interesting.

Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction, by Jonathan Barnes:
For The Love of Knowledge
This volume of the Very Short Introduction series, written by an Aristotle's scholar, provides a good overview of his works and describes the position he has in the history of philosophy. Jonathan Barnes exposed the main concepts of Aristotle's thought and his most importants works. Some interpretations of Aristotle's assertions are rebutted in favor of rival conceptions. The author himself gave his understandings about Aristotle's works. Reading this small book, one has a pretty decent view about aristotelian thought and can, if wanted, submerges in his philosophy.

By the way, my next philosophy book is written by Julia Annas - Ancient Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction.

Ancient Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction, by Julia Annas:
Julia Annas, in a readable and clear way, exposes in this short work the main aspects of ancient philosophy. The curiosity about the world's mysteries and the discoveries of our search for knowledge propel this ancient endeavour. The differents philosophers of the time and their works are refered and interpreted (the multiples understandings of the same work are pointed). Ancient philosophy, the author points, is better understanded as a conversation, one in with differents aspects of the same reality or concept are explained.

Just popping in to say interesting reading, and interesting path through these philosophers.

Thanks.

A Secular Age, by Charles Taylor:
The Path to Exclusive Humanism
One can see the development of the western societies as a road to progressive secularization, a way that leads to a social organization in with religious beliefs are no more necessary to explain the human life. This narrative, Charles Taylor convincingly argues, is questionable and has alternatives. The development of science and the reinvention of the individual aren't incompatible with the desire of transcendency. Modern societies show the revival of religious beliefs - the author refers the examples of the United States and Latin American countries - and entertain ideas and institutions based in a conception of the human that is not exclusively naturalistic. This is a most read book by whom wants to understand postmodern human society.

>31 MarcusBastos: This book sounds intriguing. LT reviews are conflicting, which is not surprising for such a subject, but it's hard to get an idea of the book itself. I ended up on Wikipedia which has a very detailed article on it:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Secular_Age

The article also links to several reviews. I think I might read a few of them.

I agree that there is a human need for transcendence and ethics that is not necessarily fulfilled in our secular societies, but I don't think that religion can now be a sufficient answer.

I think that your last statement explains, partly, why one can profit reading Taylor's work. At least, after reading it, one can reflect (not necessarily agree) about a well made argument.

C. H. Spurgeon, All of Grace:
The Righteousness of God
In this short book Spurgeon exposes the meaning of God's grace and its effects in the life of men and women that answered his calling. The obstacles faced by the christian when he pursues God's will are overcomed by faith and this is a expression of God's grace. Our sins can be subdued when we experience God's grace. This gift from God makes us righteous, provides reconciliation with our holy God and gives us peace. A clear and illuminated exposition about a central article of christian faith.

>33 MarcusBastos: Yes, I think you're right. I added the book to my wishlist. But it's a very big book!

It is. For sure. I actually listened it. I'm looking forward to read it, slowly.

Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction, by Edward Craig:
The Quest for Wisdom
Edward Craig book in the VSI series delivers what it promises, a glimpse in the main subjects of philosophy. The author strategy is a good one: the diverses questions of philosophy are presented to the reader by importants works of philosophers. In this way, one get acquainted with the philosophic endeavour knowing the philosophers and the questions they debated. The book shows the relations between philosophers and the emphasis they gave to the problems that ocupied its works. Futher readings in philosophy are indicated with a brief explanation about the scope of each book. Must read for the philosophy student and lover!

The Life of Greece, by Will Durant:
Our Greek Heritage
Volume two of Will Durant's History of Civilization exposes in rich details the Greek empire, its birth, development and fall. The books gives great atention to greek arts, literature, philosophy and politics. The story is well written and Durant often gave his interpretation of the events (for some readers too often, a point they identified as a fault). The way Durant exposes centuries of history in regard to greek civilization and the relations he sees about each one of the events make this book worth reading and an useful tool for a better understanding of our age and culture.

The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789, by Robert Middlekauff:
This is a readable book about the begining of the United States. It covers the american revolution, the war of independence and the draft of the Constitution. It provides an informed account of the historical process, it's main figures and events. The difficulties faced by the americans and it's resilience toward the challenge of emancipation are well exposed. Little emphasis, though, are given to the formation of the Constitution and to the process of its ratification by the confederate states. This is the first volume of the Oxford History of the United States. Robert Middlekauff doesn't disapoint his readers. His prose is clear. His narrative enlightened.

Metaphysics: A Very Short Introduction, by Stephen Mumford:
Is there any value in thinking about the world and its arrangements? Does one should inquire about questions that aren't scrutinized by observation? This short book tries to answer these questions and, along the way, gives the reader a first look in some crucial metaphysics problems. The text is well organized and succeed in presenting the material in an understandable way. This book is well suited for a reader that doesn't have previous expertise in the matter. Sometimes the reading can be hard but, in the end, the work is rewarded. Usefull readings are indicated in the end of the book, along with some tips.

Hi Marcus, the 2016 Club Read is running and there's quite lively conversation going on. Perhaps you'd like to wander over and join us there?

Ok. Thanks. I will do it!

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon.
Examining a period of world (european) history (late antiquity throughout the middle ages) crucial to the understanding of western civilization, this book is a treasure. Edward Gibbon, drawing from various sources, most of them contemporary of the facts it exposes, traces the history of the Roman Empire in the west and in the east. Along the way, he discuss christianity, the Roman Catholic Church, the crusades, the beginning of the Muslim faith and the advent of the Ottoman Empire. The successive battles between the romans and the barbarian are explained in a way that one understands the facts that underline the formation of modern european states. The author is not shy in declining his views about the events, with renders the book even more fascinating. An enlightening reading!

Hannah Arendt: A Life in Dark Times, by Anne Heller.
The life and the work of Hannah Arendt appears interwoven in this short book. Anne Heller refers the main events of Arendt's life and discuss some of her most important books. Giving context to "Eichmann in Jerusalem" and "The Origins of Totalitarianism", the author provides useful tools to comprehend it. Arendt's ideas, in many aspects beyond the time in which they were exposed, emerge in a comprehensive way in this introductory work.

Here's the link to the 2016 Club Read where you can set up your thread there https://www.librarything.com/groups/clubread2016. You'll probably get more traffic on your thread and comments on your reviews if you're posting in this year's group! :-)

Thanks.