Debate : 15009


Off-Topic / Debate / 15009	15008 \| 15010

Subject:	*Re: The real* Phantom Menace and the fall of the republic**
Newsgroups:	lugnet.off-topic.debate
Date:	Sat, 1 Dec 2001 23:46:13 GMT
Viewed:	348 times

Speaking of reading, I suggest the anthology _An American Primer_ (Daniel J. Boorstin) for basic readings. Want Washington's Inaugral Address (to Congress) and Farewell Address? Jefferson's? John Adams' "What do we mean by the American Revolution?" Never read the "Monroe Doctrine"? How about Turner's "The significance of the frontier in American history". Einstein's letter to Roosevelt? Brown v. Board of Education? This is a diverse collection of 81 things including an extensive section on the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. It's one of the most useful books in my library next to the dictionaries. There are introductory essays to each. Helpful for background information as well as a critical discussion. More samples: Abraham Lincoln gets 4 documents. Making an appearance are Franklin, Hamilton, Andrew Jackson, Emerson, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Elizabath Cady Stanton, Mary Baker Eddy, Ulysses S. Grant. Some poetic entries: Battle Hymn of the Republic, and Emma Lazarus "The New Colossus." The essay on the latter is especially interesting as it explains how Lazarus' poem went from obscurity to fame as the national myth of the Statue of Liberty was created. Some other entries: Wanamaker "On the Department Store", Sullivan "The Tall Office Building Artistically Considered", Edison "On the Industrial Research Laboratory." And many many things I've not yet read or heard of... One application of this book is to read past Inaugural Addresses before hearing one of our modern, mealy-mouthed deliveries. I remember being at a Clinton Address party in 1993 where it was a breath of fresh air. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0452009227/ I'm fond of my hardback copy 'cause it was previously owned by Army Air Defense Command, Ent Air Force Base (closed).

Message has 1 Reply:

		Re: The real Phantom Menace and the fall of the republic
Ob. Lego: Yes, you should rush out and read Louis Sullivan's essay "The Tall Office Building Artistically Considered"! and then go build! Also interesting: his _Autobiography of an Idea_ and _System of Ornament_. (23 years ago, 1-Dec-01, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)

Message is in Reply To:

		Re: The real Phantom Menace and the fall of the republic
Hi Richard! (...) Actually, to be fair, the "American Way" as you define it is much more omnipresent in the Declaration of Independence than in the Constitution. By far. Read it and weep, bro - and while you're at it, get a copy of the (...) (23 years ago, 1-Dec-01, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)

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