What I'm Reading

The earlier posts ;thought for the day' was inspired by a line in John Stuart Mill: Victorian Firebrand by Richard Reeves.

One of the best biographies I've ever read in pacing, tone, and grappling with the spirit and character of the subject, and on one of the most important and fascinating men in all of modern history.
Mill holds a special place in my reading history, both being passed down to me by my father (and informing much of his and hence my own views); and in being the one who rescued philosophy for me.

I have never taken a course in philosophy, and so all my knowledge has been largely self-taught. Having begun with Plato an immersed myself in his works, I had the distinct feeling that whilst Philosophy was mind improving, it was not 'fun'. More than that, the ideas of society I got from that ancient authoritarian ran so counter to my own views and world that I wondered at their relevance, except as a point from which to mark as clearly as possible our own independence.

Then one night on the bus home, I pulled out a rag-eared copy of J.S.Mill's 'On Liberty' and started reading. Before I got off the ride, I knew something had changed in me. Mill was someone who 'got it'. Who saw society and human life much as I did, and where we differed, the sheer power of his argument (such as against all regulations on speech, including hate speech) moved me to change my own views. I call myself a 'Liberal' politically despite the difficulties such a term holds in this country, because I want to preserve that link to Mill. Finally, Mill showed me that the intellectual world of debate and great men and ideas was not one of abstract bastards, but one I could enter and seek comrades, compatriots and decry the common enemy. It was a world for all opinions, based on reason, ability of argument and perseverance, not just for a select few to dictate to the rest of humanity.

I like to think Mill would enjoy that last reason far more than the former.

So Highly Recommended.


In no particular Order, I'm also working my way through
Andrew Fisher by David Day
God: A Biography by Jack Miles
The Lucky Country By David Horne

Day's book is good, on a character & time well in need of attention, but the overwrought style, especially now that I can compare it to up the much more nimble and clear bio by Reeves is starting to slow my attraction for it. But I will persevere as his books on Curtin and Chifley were fantastic. (Though as a friendly wit wondered, with Day you keep expecting him to start finding and detailing evidence of the subject having an affair. A fascination of his that nearly derailed the Chifley book)

If you have an interest in all things religious, or feel the need to brush up, I certainly recommend Miles original and Fascinating book detailing the way the character of God develops in the Hebrew bible (which is close to the Christian Old Testament except in order), though taking a literary criticism approach, he is rather tied to the text and not the wider developments that form our idea of God within a Judeo-christian informed society.
Finally, Horne's The Lucky Country. I've always had want to read it, and like the Fisher book, will serve as useful fodder for my PhD (Which is adding another 20 books on top of any I list here in the 'Urgent read' pile).

So enough typing, back to the books. If I don't read 100 books this year (that is throughly, no skimming) I'm done for. My poor eyes...