Sorry so quiet - among other distractions, I found I could not put this collection of essays down, as George Will discusses everything from William F. Buckley (to whom the book is dedicated) to past and present members of the class political (and how they governed their own lives as well as others) - he writes about the early days of tv journalism, about how politicos on both sides of the fence used to be able to look past party to see human beings, about education, common sense, baseball, space, American greatness, and his own family, and it is one glorious read.
It’s one thing to read Will once a week or so. Taken in large dose like this, he is staggeringly good; erudite, entertaining, instructive - most importantly, no matter what he’s writing about, he leaves you excited by the topic, and curious to learn more. Will is a teacher, at heart.
Best book I’ve read this year. Do yourself a favor and pick it up! You’ll end up (as I did) urging younger people in your household to read it, and they will.
Related: George Will with Stephen Colbert: a little gem of an exchange
July 5th, 2008 at 4:50 am
A few years ago, George Will made one of the most charming statements I’ve ever heard from anyone who writes for public consumption. He was a guest in the TV booth at a New York Yankees’ game, and was talking about his baseball book, Men At Work. At that time, he’d published eleven books, but Men At Work, the only one not about politics, had outsold all the others put together by nearly ten to one. “A clear sign of national health,” he quipped.
I like a man who has his priorities straight.
July 5th, 2008 at 9:15 am
I heard George Will last week on a radio interview [cannot remember which one] and he was asked about his son John who is grown. Will was saying that when John was born with Down Syndrome in the early 70s, the first question the hospital asked them was whether they wanted to take him home. He connected that to the prenatal testing for Down which is lowering the number of babies with Down being born. He was pitch perfect and clear about the subject saying, ‘John is a perfect John.’
July 5th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Oh, how funny. I just got this from the library this week. I really am looking forward to reading it.
July 6th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Anchoress,
I didn’t register and log in to have my comment published. I was looking for a little advice about a book. I have obtained several books you have recommended along Catholic spiritual lines for my wife, and she has loved every one of them. What she is looking for now is a book of short, spiritually oriented readings for each day of the year. Could involve scripture, thoughts by saints or theologians, little bits of church history, maybe preferably all of the foregoing. Can you recommend anything like that to me? (Her birthday is coming up.)
Cheers (enjoy your blog and nearly always agree with you),
John
July 6th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
[...] Will: Perfect reading in this season [...]
July 6th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
brain - Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons is excellent, but it’s not a “day-by-day” read. It does have a little bit of everything you want, though. Also Amy Welborn wrote “A Catholic Woman’s Book of Days” which is a day-by-day but really really geared toward women/wife/moms perspective and very light. I don’t know if that’s what you have in mind. I mean, it can be very thought-provoking, but it’s light.
What she really might appreciate is a subscription to Magnificat Magazine, which is a wonderful product. Each monthly issue contains prayers and readings for every morning and evening, plus the readings and psalms for daily mass, plus writings of saints and “ordinary” men and women, plus brief biographies of saints from all over the world. Every issue has an insightful commentary on Catholic art, and short piece on Catholic customs or prayers, and Catholic perspectives, and “blessings” for the month. Usually there is a poem or two. It’s a little pricey, a year is $39.95, two years is $69.95 but it’s a dandy read. My son Buster, actually, has asked for a subscription of his own to have at school, so he doesn’t need to read mine a month late! their website is http://www.magnificat.com or telephone 1-866-273-5215 (I’m reading off the back of my issue).
I don’t know if you’ve given her Fr. Jim Martin’s My Life With the Saints, but there is another of his books, Becoming Who You Are is also very good.
If I think of any others, I’ll come back here and list ‘em! Glad she’s liked some of my recommendations, so far. Don’t forget…if she hasn’t read it: IN THIS HOUSE OF BREDE!
July 7th, 2008 at 8:23 am
[...] to the list this week: George Will’s, One Man’s America. I was thrilled to see the Anchoress recommending him the same time the book finally got to me (I had it on hold at the library) I love [...]
July 12th, 2008 at 3:43 am
[...] Will: Perfect reading in this season [...]