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Missive #140 Published 11 October 2023

Conservative historian Hanson, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, faults what he sees as a diminished respect for American citizenship. What does it mean to be a “citizen”? In a deeply contextualized call to arms, Hanson moves from the ancient Greeks and Romans through the Federalists and Enlightenment philosophers to show how answers to the question have evolved and why he believes cherished ideals about American citizenship are under assault by progressives. As he sees it, “citizens must be economically autonomous.” Unless a sturdy middle class can achieve “material security,” a society divides into “masters and peasants.”

Missive #139 Published 9 October 2023

This is a very good book by Dos Passos, much better than most of his early books in my opinion. It is also the fifth book in the Mainstream of America Series which I now plan on reading. History written by writers rather than academics.

Missive #136 Published 5 October 2023

This was the last book by Frank Herbert in the Dune series. His son took his father's notes for two additional books and published them. He then kept the series alive by writing some of his own — cashing in on the Dune name. I will not be reading them. I will also not read any of Herbert's other books. This one was not understandable by this reader so I'll call it quits.

Missive #135 Published 2 October 2023

This book has more of Twain's satire and sarcasm than Innocents did. Much of the satire is self directed but emulates Americans. His sarcasm is directed more toward the Europeans but they get their fair share of satire as well. A very good book. I'll be reading some more of his travel books.