What's Off My Bookshelf?

I've been enjoying reading some really interesting books of late; mind you, many times the readings come in 2-minute sittings, and it will be a long time before I finish most of these books. Maybe you'll find some of them interesting ...

The Disappearance of Childhood by Neil Postman
This book, sold by Lamplighter Publishing, has been a surprising, interesting read. (I'm about half-way through.) Postman offers a history of the perspective on childhood through the centuries, really as an essay. In more recent history, the invention of the printing press opened the door for a new distinction between the child and adult, a child being illiterate and an adult being literate. He talks about the diversion of the view of childhood, between Protestantism (along the lines of John Locke) and Romanticism (along Jean Jacques Rousseau's lines) -- I find myself embracing aspects of both views.

As the book description suggests, he's going to argue later in the book:

"... childhood is a relatively recent invention, which came into being as the new medium of print imposed divisions between children and adults. But now these divisions are eroding under the barrage of television, which turns the adult secrets of sex and violence into popular entertainment and pitches both news and advertising at the intellectual level of ten-year-olds."

I can't tell you how pleased I am that I stumbled upon this insightful book. Understanding history never ceases to open my eyes to better understand our current world.

Endangered Minds by Jane M. Healy

The most recent chapter I enjoyed in this book made a strong case that Sesame Street not only doesn't achieve its goal of preparing children to read, but it fosters habits contrary to reading preparation. One quote from the meaty chapter:

"During the early years [skills necessary for the brain to be a comfortable place for real literacy to dwell] are best learned through active, hands-on experiences (e.g. playing, building, exploring, talking), and imaginative social play, and listening to enjoyment to good children's literature, not from a medium which has made a science of taking control of the viewer's attention."

The Amish in Their Own Words by Brad Igou

I've realized again and again in recent months that one reason my husband and I hold an approach very different from many others we know is that we're strongly drawn to and influenced by the same principles as the Amish: simplicity, family work, lack of indulgence, etc.

I was thrilled to come across this book at a library sale. Some great excerpts, from letters by Amish:

"Perhaps it is time for us to see that even good company, if it detracts from the ties between parent and child, can also be a harmful thing. ... It is true that young people need something to do. But parents should look harder for things they can do with the family that will serve to strengthen the ties between children and parents, rather than between children and their peers."

"This is the chief and principal care of the saints, that their children may fear God, do right, and be saved."

"I think it's more than the size of the group that makes young people act disorderly. What they need is an inward conviction against wrong. They need self-respect and parents who truly care and are a little more strict."

"I only hope more parents realize the dangers in letting their young girls go out (to work to help the family), away from home and under the influence of the world. Believe me, it's not worth the money. ... If my letter can help just one parent realize the dangers in working out, if I can save just one girl from the heartache I've been through, this letter will have been well worth my time."

The Mission of Motherhood by Nancy Clarkson

We've been reading this book at the new mom's heart book club, and while I don't really agree with Sally's entire worldview, I do appreciate her overwhelming desire to be a nurturing mother to her children. A couple quotes from the first 3 chapters:

"As we build, we need to check our progress along the way, keeping our overall purpose in mind and making choices that keep our building on the right track. We must assess our choices honestly to determine whether they are helping or hindering what we are trying to do."

"Matthew 6:20-21 encourages us: 'Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.' ... The kingdom of this world and all its pleasures last only for a time. My children will become my treasures in heaven if they indeed learn to love God and serve Him with their whole hearts. This is eternal work -- to train the hearts, minds, and conscience in righteousness."

Families Where Grace is in Place by Bill Hybels
What I've read from this book is encouraging in terms of remembering to have the best intentions toward our children, but I feel like it's written for parents who are bent on outward performance to look good for others, as opposed to matters of the heart. I'm bent on BOTH: the outward action as a matter of habit, self-discipline and willing obedience and the heart being bent toward their Creator and His good and perfect will.

I feel this book is so concerned about the heart that it forgets about the importance of the outward action as well. If someone comes from a legalistic background, this book is probably a useful read! I find No Greater Joy ministries nicely ties together the principles of the outward obedience and the inward heart and fellowship, which leads me to the next great read of late ...

No Greater Joy Ministries articles galore
I've been getting back into the articles written by the Pearls and other contributors at their website. Their book, To Train Up A Child, was the first parenting book I ever read. Taken (only) in its entirety, I feel the Pearl's guidance is a recipe for total success -- I stress entirety because just swatting is, as they say, harmful; on the other hand, loving, consistent (100%) addressing disobedience (often with swatting) in context of loving fellowship produces happy kids.

My husband and I are completely on the same page on this subject, so I've been able to rest in great peace. My children are also getting happier and more self-controlled, and my girl generally doesn't have teen sass attitude, which I believe is total poison to the soul and future happiness of young girls. (Uh, hem: "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall" ... I know!)

Here's an article from "Continuous Fellowship":

"Until we tie strings of fellowship all else is vain, even harmful. If you would train your children and you are prevented from using the rod, you still have at your disposal a tool that most of my readers have never effectively employed—continuous fellowship with their child. If you can create an atmosphere of trust and good will, you will greatly reduce the need to spank the small child, and nearly eliminate the need in children 8 or older. After you have established fellowship with your children, the next step in training is to gain their respect as a person of principle. Your children must know that you answer to, and act as representative of, a rule of law that is higher than your own personal preference. You have boundaries that you adhere to and expect them to do likewise. By reverencing boundaries in your own life you communicate that there is a Lawgiver higher than your own feelings and impulses. If the child is made to feel that he or she must obey you only because you are bigger or tougher, or because you have control of the resources, then your influence will extend only until they are big enough to rebel without severe consequences. But if the child treasures your fellowship and wants to please you, and on top of that the child wants to please the God that you please, then you have a solid foundation for training. The only battle left is the child’s flesh."

Parents & Children by Charlotte Mason

Read gratuit at Ambleside Online
I can't count the number of times my heart has raised in thanks to my Creator for the legacy of Charlotte Mason. She was so diligent, wise, and faithful, and I never cease to confront a new thought, idea, or perspective on life when I read her works. Here are a few excerpts I've been re-reading of late:

"The duty of parents is to sustain a child's inner life with ideas as they sustain his body with food."

"A child has affinities with evil as well as with good; therefore, hedge him about from any chance lodgement of evil ideas. The initial idea begets subsequent ideas; therefore, take care that children get right primary ideas on the great relations and duties of life."

"It is with the advance of years that a materialistic temper settles upon us. But the children live in the light of the morning-land. The spirit-world has no mysteries for them; that parable and travesty of the spirit-world, the fairy-world, where all things are possible, is it not their favourite dwelling-place? And fairy-tales are so dear to children because their spirits fret against the hard and narrow limitations of time and place and substance; they cannot breathe freely in a material world. Think what the vision of God should be to the little child already peering wistfully through the bars of his prison-house. Not a far-off God, a cold abstraction, but a warm, breathing, spiritual Presence about his path and about his bed––a Presence in which he recognises protection and tenderness in darkness and danger, towards which he rushes as the timid child to hide his face in his mother's skirts." [Disclaimer: I am very cautious in which "fairy tales" I allow.]

"... the introduction of such primal ideas as shall impel the soul to God is the first duty and the highest privilege of parents. Whatever sin of unbelief a man is guilty of, are his parents not wholly to blame?"

"Is it possible that the mother could, when alone with her children, occasionally hold this communing out loud, so that the children might grow up in the sense of the presence of God?"

I could go on forever ... one must read Charlotte's own words herself!

Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn

At a glance, it could look like Kohn's approach is the polar opposite of No Greater Joy; as I've delved deep into both perspectives, I find they share much in common: The parents' goal of relationship and fellowship with their children!

I love Kohn's constant questions that force me to consider whether or not I'm respecting my child as a person, as Charlotte Mason said we must see them. He's very reasonable and thoughtful in his recommendations.

Kohn's approach, however, does lack some hootzpah. Kohn doesn't seem to believe in God and judgment, so his approach is very open-ended, as far as teaching the child self-control and obedience, etc.

The Lamplighter by Maria S. Cummins
Free on Kindle!
I first sought this book because it's highly rated by Lamplighter Publishing and after which the ministry names itself. I am really enjoying the lovely redemption that occurs in the book repeatedly, as well as the incredible fortitude of character as a part of "doing one's duty." I look forward to offering this classic literature to my children some day.

The Hidden Hand by E.D.E.N. Southworth
Free on Kindle!
I also sought this book because of Lamplighter's leading. I don't feel it's as inspiring, in terms of character, as The Lamplighter, but it's an enjoyable, wholesome listen. (I'm listening to the Librivox.org version.)

The Iliad by Homer

I'd never read this epic before now, and I'm discussing it with the classics book club as well as with another friend.

It's interesting and will in the end make me "more educated," but I have to say, I could do without all the shallowness of pretty much all of the characters, men and "gods" alike.

I'm still using it to take away great lessons in character issues. I've listened to some of The Great Courses presentations to aid in my understanding. (Free at the library!)

A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel DeFoe

I found this book for 75 cents at the library, and it's been an interesting read. So far, my favorite excerpt is a very poignant treaty on trusting God blindly for health and safety vs. trusting God while doing our own parts to preserve our lives:

"The best preparation for the plague was running away from it. As to my argument of losing my trade, my goods, or debts, [my brother] quite confuted me. He told me the same thing which I argued for my staying, viz., that I would trust God with my safety and health, was the strongest repulse to my pretensions of losing my trade and my goods; 'for,' says he, 'is it not as reasonable that you should trust God with the chance or risk of losing your trade, as that you should stay in so eminent a point of danger, and trust Him with your life?'"

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

I have to say that while this book is full of vulgarity and despicable characters (including the hero), it was a life-changing book for me. Had I not committed to read it with the classics book club, I wouldn't have finished it.

I feel that Rand wanted to make a really powerful, important point about the importance of self-reliance and maximizing our gifts by our own efforts, regardless of what others' think. However, to make this point, she wrote an immoral story, but what can I complain, she herself lived an immoral life, having had an affair on her husband and dying without faith in her Creator -- a brilliant soul, lost for eternity.

The 2 most poignant characters, for me, were:

• Ellsworth Toohey: No one could better exemplify the "do" good ... no, the "think" good ... attitude of liberal elites who love to steal from people who work hard to earn money to give to those who don't ... while keeping them in a state of ignorant dependence and mediocrity. Toohey was the greatest of think gooders, and it was all for the sake of PRIDE. He not only disbelieved in God, but in a sense, he thought he was god. He is my favorite new novel character reference in the past year, at least. He reminds me of several politicians, past and present.
• Howard Rourke: He was the hero of the book, and apart from gross sexual immorality, he was a very respectable character. He gave me a healthy dose of self-contempt, in that he held onto his principles and values so deeply that nothing could cause him to compromise them. I tend to be quite dogmatic in the principles I follow, but I also get discouraged and aimless from time to time. Rourke made me feel like a doof, but at the same time, it inspired me to stop being pathetic and press on!!! You know, like a hearty, "Come on ... you go, girl!"

Rand was a staunch libertarian, after having lived through all the "altruism" of those involved in the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, followed by a lot of bloodshed, abuse and injustice by Lenin. She loved America, having migrated in 1926, and she loved freedom. She loved the freedom to work, to do, to think, to dream, to achieve and enjoy the fruits of her own labor. 

Here's are some excerpts from the novel (unfortunately since I listened to the book, I don't have my most favorite quotes available to share):

“It's easy to run to others. It's so hard to stand on one's own record. You can fake virtue for an audience. You can't fake it in your own eyes. Your ego is your strictest judge. They run from it. They spend their lives running. It's easier to donate a few thousand to charity and think oneself noble than to base self-respect on personal standards of personal achievement. It's simple to seek substitutes for competence--such easy substitutes: love, charm, kindness, charity. But there is no substitute for competence.”

“Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision. Their goals differed, but they all had this in common: that the step was first, the road new, the vision unborrowed, and the response they received — hatred. The great creators — the thinkers, the artists, the scientists, the inventors — stood alone against the men of their time. Every great new thought was opposed. Every great new invention was denounced. The first motor was considered foolish. The airplane was considered impossible. The power loom was considered vicious. Anesthesia was considered sinful. But the men of unborrowed vision went ahead. They fought, they suffered and they paid. But they won.”

“When I listen to a symphony I love, I don't get from it what the composer got. His 'Yes' was different from mine. He could have no concern for mine and no exact conception of it. That answer is too personal to each man. But in giving himself what he wanted, he gave me a great experience.”

“The audience looked at him. They felt he had no chance. They could drop the nameless resentment, the sense of insecurity which he aroused in most people. And so, for the first time, they could see him as he was: a man totally innocent of fear. The fear of which they thought was not the normal kind, not a response to a tangible danger, but the chronic, unconfessed fear in which they all lived. They remembered the misery of the moments when, in loneliness, a man thinks of the bright words he could have said, but had not found, and hates those who robbed him of his courage. The misery of knowing how strong and able one is in one's own mind, the radiant picture never to be made real. Dreams? Self-delusion? Or a murdered reality, unborn, killed by that corroding emotion without name - fear - need - dependence - hatred?”

Next to Join the Book Rotation:

Real Boys by William Pollack
The book caught my eye after another similar book was recommended on a blog I visit. I don't know much about it ...

The Godly Home by Richard Baxter
A homeschool, homestead, patriot friend of mine recommended this book to me, and I look forward to getting into it in the near future! The Amazon description is enticing.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
The classics book club has selected this book. I read it in high school (actually read it), but it will be more enlightening and creepy to read it at this phase of life, where we seem to possibly be entering such a strange 1984 Orwellian-style world:

"... a world of perpetual war, omnipresent government surveillance, and public mind control, dictated by a political system euphemistically named English Socialism under the control of a privileged Inner Party elite that persecutes all individualism and independent thinking as thought crimes. Their tyranny is headed by Big Brother, the quasi-divine Party leader who enjoys an intense cult of personality." (thank you, wiki)

Where shall I continue to seek peace in it all?

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1) 

and

"I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

That's all for now. Have you been reading anything interesting?