While grading my students' papers and bemoaning their poor Language and reading abilities, their dearth of critical thinking skills, and their utter cluelessness of current events I took a few moments to look back on my own intellectual history. I had to tone down my smugness a bit. They are after all only 12-13 and still fairly low on the social consciousness curve. (I teach 7th grade geography--with a few 8th grade retainees thrown in) Still, upon reflection, my genesis as a Progressive began about that age and what I read in my teens had a profound impact on my political and social beliefs.
I began making a reading list of those influential books I read before the age of 21 and have withstood 35-40 years of memory loss. They all influenced my thouight process in some way. The list is personal and somewhat antiquated but all were read before the age of 21.
Admittedly I developed Liberal inclinations early on. My parents were unionized factory workers, my father in steel and my mother in textiles. That connection was the origin of my firsts stirring of political consciousness. Both unions sent monthly newsletters to our house which I avidly devoured. Stories of union organizing and civil rights protest with their danger and nobility were like real life adventure stories that stirred the romantic in me. The list of books below probably reveals that romanticism to some extent.
- the Lord of the rings by J.R. R. Tolkein. Clearly not a political novel yet the essential drama of people choosing hope or despair in the face of darkness never left me. Thee is never a shortage of those choices.
- Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy. I read this between Kennedy's election and assassination. Like many members of my generation the images and experiences of the 1,000 days never left me. These essays on political courage still ring true today, especially Lucius lamar's impeachment dilemna.
- Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. I never looked at the Earth or my place in it the same way again after reading this book.
- A Stillness at Apomattox by Bruce Catton. Though a bit nationalistic for some, it solidified my love of American History and those who people it.
- Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin. This book personalized civil rights in a way that speeches and protests did not.
- Death at an Early Age by Johnathan Kozol. A book about race, education and poverty that still is a must read for anyone aspiring to be a teacher.
- Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Billy Pilgrim's search for peace in a world of chaos mirrored a generation.
- Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo. As powerful an anti-war book as has ever been written.
- Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K LeGuin. One of the greatest Science Fiction sories of all time. Its gender bending plot works on sexual and political levels.
- The Politics of Cultural Despair by Fritz Stern. This study of German academic forefathers to naziism is horrifyingly familiar.