Missive #606 Published 30 November 2025
Continuing The Federalist Papers.
Federalist No.61
The Same Subject Continued: Concerning the Power of
Congress to Regulate the Election of Members
Author: Alexander Hamilton
To the People of the State of New York:
Missive #605 Published 29 November 2025
Lee Kuan Yew played the pivotal role in Singapore's transition from British Crown Colony to independent developing nation, and on to the economically powerful and diplomatically influential city-state it is today. Throughout this surprising and at times painful journey, he has proved a charismatic and occasionally controversial leader. Lee is a conviction politician whose speeches are unambiguous, characterful and eminently quotable; this collection of almost 600 short quotations provides a compelling summary of his views on a wide range of topics from Singapore's past, present and future. In Lee's own words: "I have been accused of many things in my lfe, but not even my worst enemy has ever accused me of being afraid to speak my mind."
Missive #604 Published 28 November 2025
115. Who Wants to Get Rich?
Nasruddin stood in the village square and shouted loudly for all to hear, “Who wants to get rich?”
A few people gathered around. “We do!” they yelled.
“And who wants to get rich without doing any work?”
More people began to gather around. “We do!” they yelled.
“Tell me, people,” Nasruddin shouted even more loudly, “who wants the secret to getting rich without having to do any work at all?”
A crowd of people now filled the square. “We do! We all do!” they yelled.
“I do too!” shouted Nasruddin.
Then he added, “Does anybody here actually know the secret?”
Missive #603 Published 26 November 2025
Howards End is considered by many to be E. M. Forster’s masterpiece. First published in 1910, this beguiling and completely captivating tale explores social conventions, codes of conduct, and relationships in turn-of-the-century Edwardian England. The story revolves around three families…
I'm not sure why this book was on my To Read List but it was a happy accident. The story starts rather slow but becomes more interesting as you read through the book. You also need to keep in mind that it is about British society and the period is early 20th century
Missive #602 Published 23 November 2025
Continuing The Anti-Federalist Papers
Federal Farmer IV
by Federal Farmer
Missive #601 Published 22 November 2025
Veteran nature writer Gene Logsdon debuts a brilliantly comic novel set in rural Minnesota in the 1950s. The novel, inspired by the author's ten years studying in vain for the preisthood, follows the sometimes hilarious, sometimes tragic lives of a group of seminarians who realize they no longer believe the theology they are being taught, nor in the celibate life they are supposed to be leading. They resolve their problems in highly unusual ways, some tragicvally, some happily. Along the way readers encounter a rogue's gallery of colorful and eccentric characters. In the mix there is stuff about organic farming, alcohol distillation, cowboy philososphy, baseball and alternative medicine. This is a truly original work, and it is sure to be controversial.
Missive #600 Published 21 November 2025
114. Buying an Elephant
Nasruddin decided he was going to buy an elephant, and he knew it would be an expensive purchase. Since he didn’t have enough money, he went to his richest friend to borrow the money.
His friend, however, refused to give him the loan. “You’re not thinking clearly, Nasruddin,” he said. “Elephants are expensive to buy, and they are also expensive to keep. If you don’t have the money to buy an elephant, how will you be able to afford to house the elephant and feed it?”
“You don’t understand,” said Nasruddin angrily. “I came here for a loan, not advice.”
Missive #599 Published 20 November 2025
Written in the spirit of his father Theodore Roosevelt's wilderness books, The Happy Hunting Grounds is a collection of hunting stories, some [one] of which recount the expeditions Kermit took with his father. Theodore once said of his son, "It is rare for a boy with his refined tastes and his genuine appreciation of literature — and of so much else — to be also an exceptionally bold and hardy sportsman." The Happy Hunting Grounds has something for everyone, giving insight into American leaders, nature and exploration, and game hunting.
Missive #598 Published 19 November 2025
A Prairie Home Companion was probably the only thing that I ever listened to on NPR radio until my hearing began to deteriorate and the show went off the air in 2016. If you listened to the show and liked it then you may like this book. If you never listened to the show then this book might not be as enjoyable.
Missive #597 Published 17 November 2025
Do big government debts and fast rates of adding to them threaten our collective well-being? In this groundbreaking analysis, Ray Dalio, one of the greatest investors of our time and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Principles, shares the reasons behind his fears for the US debt markets, answering some of the most important market and economic questions. Are there limits to debt growth? Can a big, important reserve currency country like the US really go broke? Is there such a thing as a “Big Debt Cycle” that can tell us when to worry about debt and what to do about it?
I don't recommend this book as an eBook. The author relies on numerous graphs to tell his story, such as it is, and in the eBook that I had they are very small and not in color (which in his text he refers to graph lines by color). I also did not learn anything from what he had to say that I think I can use. The book was more a self promotion than one that I could learn from.