We are now more than halfway through the year and it is likely that my diligent readers have quickly burned through these very slim volumes. As a reward, I will now point you to some books that will let you know what really matters, and to some others that provide a little history. In keeping with the bespoke nature of this blog, the recommendations are loftier than the Whatever for Dummies...type books and appear under the imprimatur of a University Press - in this case, Yale.
Although you sluggards should not be rewarded, I will remind you of a post that provides an excuse for those who buy books and do not read them, and a suggestion for the one book you should purchase: How To Talk About Books You Haven't Read. (see: TSUNDOKU)
Why X Matters
"Yale University Press presents the Why X Matters series, in which passionate authors present concise arguments for the continuing relevance of important people or ideas.The Why X Matters series aims to champion the cause of important disciplines and influential thinkers that are perhaps under-represented in modern discourse."
The Titles
Why Architecture Matters
Why Acting Matters
Why Arendt Matters
Why Baseball Matters
Why the Constitution Matters
Why the Dreyfus Affair Matters
Why Niebuhr Matters
Why Poetry Matters
Why Preservation Matters
Why the Romantics Matter
Why Translation Matters
Why Trilling Matters
Little Histories
"The Little Histories are vivid storybook introductions for the young and old alike. Inspiring and entertaining, each short book lays out our greatest subjects in deceptively simple, engaging tones. With charming and personal insights each expert gently takes the reader from ancient times to the present through bite size chapters, ideal as bedtime reading or on the journey to work."
The Titles
A Little History of Economics
A Little History of the World
A Little History of Religion
A Little History of Philosophy
A Little History of the United States
A Little History of Literature
A Little History of Science
Sources:
The "X Series" is easily found on the Yale University Press site along with additional information about each title. A rationale for the series is offered in the blog post of the London branch of YUP: "Introducing Yale's Why X Matters Series."
The "Little Histories" are found here: littlehistory.org.
In some cases, podcasts and video interviews are available.
Post Script:
If you feel a little embarrassed about telling people you are reading A Little History of the World, mention that it was written by E. H. Gombrich and memorize the German title: Eine kurze Weltgeschichte für junge Leser. By the way, it was written in 1935.
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