Ten Books Every Student Should Read in College

HUMAN EVENTS ^ | Week of June 2, 2003 | 28 distinguished scholars and university professors

[society-by-contract]

Not related to this thread, but over lunch I found five L. Neil Books for $15. Some of us understand freedom.



Cheers!

Brady

[freeeee]

Actually should be read before college, but worth mention here.

This book is extremely relevent today.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Apparently you mean Knowledgeable when you say biased.

[gavriloprincip]

Does watching the movie count? :-P

[JRandomFreeper]

Then imagine, if you will, how successful you would be in influencing public opinion by writing and printing such essays today.

Take heart. I just spent the last two weeks on annual tour with a 22 year old that was facinated by history. She was abysmally ignorant, and needed a primer for anything prior to 1980, but was open to learning about history, regardless of the time period.

We watched the movie about the Cuban crises (13 Days?) together. I had to pause the movie repeatedly to answer her questions about related history, but she soaked it up like a sponge. (while developing a dislike for McNamara)

As an AF Reservist, she had heard of General LeMay, but had no clue about the general being an amateur radio operator that introduced SSB communications to SAC, or his role in the development of the M-16.

If we teach them, they will learn.

/john

[MoralSense]

No Huckleberry Finn? No Brothers Karamazov? No War and Peace? Just philosophers, no novels? Hmmm...

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

of course, all you freepers are assuming these kids can read

Well let me think about those I am well acquainted with who are now in college.

Son who is now a jr at Houston Baptist. Lived in South Africa, travels to NY, New Orleans without us, votes and knows why, can rebuild a computer, and argued a candidate for recent local office into a corner because the guy didn’t know his facts. Tutors in computers, Algebra, Geometry for spending money.

Sr at MIT, who also swims competitively.

Sophomore at Pepperdine Law who got out of Abilene Christian University in three years.

Her sister, a Sr at Abilene Christian who got out of a four year high school in three.

Cadet, United States Air Force Academy.

OK after son thought I'll bet they can read .... what do you want to risk?

[eastsider]

I'm particularly suprised at the drubbing that science took on this list. Where are Copernicus, Newton and Boyle?

[widowithfoursons]

Tolstoy and Dostoyevksi (one of my personal favorites) were more novelists than philosophers. They injected their beliefs through their characters rather than write scholarly works on these subjects. Although anyone with pretense toward being educated would have read them.

[ArGee]

I would add The Abolition of Man by C. S. Lewis.

Shalom.

[B.Bumbleberry]

Right on. No one can read Hayek and not be amazed and deeply impacted. And his Fatal Conceit is a masterful summary of much of his earlier work. Surprised Darwin is not on the list as well.

[ArGee]

The material world is relatively easy to understand (if you stay out of the more theoretical issues such as quantum sizes and relativistic speeds). It's the nonmaterial that requires the effort. You can dance, ride a bicycle, go out on a date, raise healthy children, and never really understand Principia, but you'd better have a good idea of what's in the Bible.

Shalom.

[justshutupandtakeit]

It would not likely be understood by younger students unless they have some knowledge of Soviet history. I agree that it is very important and one of the few novels I would add to this list. Brothers Karamazov, First Circle-Solzhenietsin, Bleak House-Dickens, War and Peace, Moby Dick, Pride and Prejudice should also be considered.

It is appalling to see third rate novels by a second rate philosopher considered worthy of such a list. Even Heinlein is not in this league and I do like him. Of course, he is 10x the writer Rand is but still.

[gavriloprincip]

Baloney the anti-federalists were generally corrupt state officials seeking to preserve their power at the cost of the Union. Had they had their way the Union would have been still-born and destroyed in its cradle. Their insipid writings are of little value other than examples of the idiocy which the true patriots, the Federalists, had to face. Their victory in overcoming this crew of meatheads was one of mankinds' greatest achievements.

I dunno, it was my understanding that the Federalists at the time were regarded as the radical hippies of the era. It is pretty crazy to look back and see what a huge risk they were taking. I am glad that they took those risks because it worked out so well. But to be honest if i was living at the time i probably wouldn't have supported them.

[RightWhale]

Where are Copernicus, Newton and Boyle?

For sheer entertainment, there is Galileo, but the reading list seems oriented towards preparation for a career in statecraft rather than rebelling against authority.

[RightWhale]

Add Skinner's Walden II.

[RightWhale]

Surprised Darwin is not on the list as well.

The works should uplift and inspire, not put to sleep.

[Blzbba]

"That's because the sciences of theology and philosophy are more important than the other sciences. "

LOL! Neither theology nor philosophy has built the bridge you trust when driving your car, the building you trust won't fall over in a windstorm while at work, the house/apmnt/etc you live in, the media you rely on for communication (TV, cellular networks, PCs, Al Gore's Internet, etc.), the vehicles you use for transportation, etc.

Philosophy and theology are nice sciences to talk about, but rarely put food on the table, give you shelter from storms or enemies, etc.

(Yes, I'm an engineer!)

[Blzbba]

"Where is "It Takes a Village"?

Used as kindling to burn Earth In The Balance. "


That's impossible - I used it to wipe my ass with!

[freeeee]

It would not likely be understood by younger students unless they have some knowledge of Soviet history.

I read 1984 in high school, and the message was very apparent. Sure Soviet history would add to the read, but it's not necessary.

he is 10x the writer Rand is but still.

While long winded, I thought Atlas Shrugged was a good way to show through example the consequences of socialism. The best thing about it was showing how socialism manifests itself, how it is implemented (backroom deals, manufactured crisis, Anti-Dog Eat Dog Rule). A lot of people aren't business majors and won't find its message through an economics textbook. Not a bad thing to read, considering what many "learn" in college today.

It too should be read before college.