Jun 30 2003

Revolt from the Heartland by Joseph Scotchie

Long time readers will know that I am fascinated by the “taxonomy” of the conservative movement. I am interested in, and have studied, the political and intellectual history of the movement. And not infrequently I have been drawn into the internecine quarrels of conservatism. These fights seem to have intensified and deepened with the end of the Cold War and the Republican Majority. We now have terms like paleo-conservative and neo-conservative being debated in the conservative press and even seeping into the mainstream press in weird ways. Trying to shed some light on this subject I picked up Revolt from the Heartland: The Struggle For An Authentic Conservatism a friendly look at paleo-conservatism by Joseph Scotchie. I wanted to get a closer look on what exactly motivates and underlies this conservative counter-culture (or what they would claim is a return to conservative roots).

If I was still a grad student, I would love to really deconstruct and unpack this rather short book. Since I have a full time job, I will simply try to point out some pluses and note some incongruities.

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By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 1

Jun 22 2003

Inaugural Book Club Vote

Per the entry below, I am throwing out the first batch of books to vote on for the first every Blog Book club Book. Entries are below. One vote per person please. You can vote via the comments on this post or by emailing me your choice.

harrypotter5.jpg Since I am already reading it and it is likely that a number of other people are too, I thought I would start with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It is a bit long but it is easy reading.

freedom.jpgIn a totally different vein is The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad by Fareed Zakaria. It might not be as popular as Harry Potter but it is extremely topical and certainly capable of engendering interesting debate.

conqerors.jpgThe next choice might not be as relevant to current events but it should provide some historical perspective. Plus I have been wanting to read The Conquerors: Roosevelt, Truman and the Destruction of Hitler’s Germany, 1941-1945 by Michael Beschloss for awhile. Being the moderator for this book club does have some advantages.

choosing.jpgLast but certainly not least, we have an option that might really stir up the Blogosphere: A Time for Choosing: The Rise of Modern American Conservatism. What with Republicans in power in Washington and with conservatives getting into heated debates about what the term means, I figure this might be a good time to review how we got here.

So there you have it. Your choices for out very first book club run. Fantasy fiction, international relations, history, and political science. Seems like a wide array of choices. I will keep the vote open for a week. Look for the winner to be announced on June 30.

By Kevin Holtsberry • News • 6

Jun 22 2003

A Blog Book Club

UPDATE: Vote for the first book here.
I have decided to try something different and see if it catches on: a blog book club. Here is how it will work:
- I will post three or four books from which to choose. Anyone who wants can then vote by email or comment. I will tally the votes and figure out which book got the most votes.
- I will then I will tally the votes and post the winning book and a time frame for reading it. Anyone who would like to discuss the book can then post comments and questions to that initial post as they are reading.
- After I have read the book and the time given is up, I will post my review of the book. Again, those who are interested can post comments, questions, etc. They can also link their review to the post via trackback or other link system (or at least post a comment with a link to their review).
- If possible I will try to convince some authors to participate in some Q&A, etc.
- In the end you would have an interesting thread of discussion and debate surrounding the book in two easily identifiable posts. Not only is this a chance to read interesting comments on the same book it is a chance to encounter new blogs and people as various readers post their thoughts and links. AS the subject changes so to will the readers – should be a chance for previously unconnected people to interact.

I think this could be a lot of fun. The Blogosphere, or at least a small section of it, can read the same book, debate and discuss the issues it raises, and share links to reviews, ideas, and comments. The possibilities are wide open really, people can make it whatever they want – I will simply facilitate the discussion and provide some ideas to get the process started.

I will post the first batch of book choices soon. So check back and vote! As always any comments, suggestions, and/or ideas are welcome.

By Kevin Holtsberry • News • 1

Jun 20 2003

Harry Potter at Midnight

harrypotter5.jpgI admit I am one the thousands (millions?) of people who will be running out tonight to pick up the brand new Harry Potter book. Does frantically running to the bookstore at midnight for a very large children’s novel make me a geek? If so, so be it. I am what I am. I only wish I would have thought ahead and reserved a copy!

By the way, if you still think Harry Potter is the devil’s handmaiden (if you will pardon the phrase) read this.

By Kevin Holtsberry • News • 2

Jun 18 2003

Amanda Bright@Home by Danielle Crittenden

Amandabright.jpg When someone first suggested I read Amanda Bright@Home I was a little unsure. I mean isn’t this a book about “women’s issues?” How would I be able to relate to a book about a stay at home mom wrestling with insecurity? I don’t even have kids. (Do I feel guilty about leaving my dogs alone all day? Sure, but that is another topic . . .) So I gave it to a friend who I thought might have more insight into the topic. She read it and enjoyed it and so I thought what the heck I might as well dive in and see what it is all about. I found the topic interesting enough that I wanted to interview the author. Amazingly she was gracious enough to answer some questions. Now that you have read the interview you must be thinking: so what did Kevin think of the book? To try and temper that insatiable thirst for my opinion I know you all have, here is my review.

Amanda Bright@Home is basically two stories woven together, one ?internal? the other ?external.? The internal story explores the insecurities and emotions of a highly educated “feminist,” Amanda Bright, who decides to leave the workplace, stay home, and raise her children. She must do this in the hothouse of Washington D.C.; where politics, power, and gossip make up the air she breathes. This story while influenced and impacted by outside events takes place inside Amanda?s head. It concerns her thoughts, emotions, doubts, and worries. The external story is the flip side. It is the story of how she inadvertently gets sucked up into, and chewed up by, the Washington power game with serious consequences for her husband?s career and even her marriage. This part of the story is driven by the events and people surrounding Amanda. The book alternates its focus between these two plot lines with each putting pressure on the other. The tension between the two holds the book together.

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By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 1

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