Missive #503 Published 28 May 2025
Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Walter McDougall reinterprets the traditions that have shaped U.S. foreign policy from 1776 to the present in "an entertaining and iconoclastic fashion" ( Philadelphia Inquirer ). In a concise analysis, McDougall divides American diplomatic history into two stages, which he calls "Old Testament" and "New Testament" phases.
Missive #502 Published 26 May 2025
With the right lifestyle, experts say, chances are that you may live up to a decade longer. What’s the prescription for success? National Geographic Explorer Dan Buettner has traveled the globe to uncover the best strategies for longevity found in the Blue places in the world where higher percentages of people enjoy remarkably long, full lives. And in this dynamic book he discloses the recipe, blending this unique lifestyle formula with the latest scientific findings to inspire easy, lasting change that may add years to your life.
Missive #501 Published 25 May 2025
Continuing The Anti-Federalist Papers
Centinel IV
Why the Articles Failed
by Samuel Bryan
To the Freemen of Pennsylvania:
Missive #500 Published 23 May 2025
88. Nasruddin’s Playful Turban
It was a windy day and as Nasruddin was walking home, a big gust of wind blew the turban right off his head. Some children who were playing nearby grabbed the turban and began tossing it back and forth.
Nasruddin chased the children, hoping to get his turban back. “Hey there, children!” he said. “Give me back my turban!”
Then, when he saw how much fun the children were having, he gave up and went home.
“Where’s your turban?” Nasruddin’s wife asked. “Did you leave it somewhere?”
“It suddenly remembered its childhood,” replied Nasruddin, “and it decided to go play.”
Missive #499 Published 21 May 2025
The Bush years have justifiably given rise to fears of a new Imperial Presidency. Yet despite the controversy surrounding the administration's expansive claims of executive power, both Left and Right agree on the boundless nature of presidential responsibility. The Imperial Presidency is the price we seem to be willingly and dangerously agreeable to pay the office the focus of our national hopes and dreams. Interweaving historical scholarship, legal analysis, and cultural commentary, The Cult of the Presidency argues that the Presidency needs to be reined in, its powers checked and supervised, and its wartime authority put back under the oversight of the Congress and the courts. Only then will we begin to return the Presidency to its proper constitutionally limited role.
Missive #498 Published 19 May 2025
Volume 3 of the monumental Story of Civilization, CAESAR AND CHRIST depicts the rise of Rome from a crossroads town to empire. The world's first republic, Rome spread its civilization over the Mediterranean and western European world.Another very long book that I broke up reading by stopping 3-4 times to read other books. It is an academic product with massive footnotes and extremely dry reading. Names and dates but light on what they all mean. Its long, slow crumbling and final collapse plunged Europe into darkness and chaos.
Missive #497 Published 18 May 2025
Continuing The Federalist Papers.
Federalist No.47
The Particular Structure of the New Government and the Distribution of Power Among Its Different Parts
Author: James Madison
To the People of the State of New York:
Missive #496 Published 16 May 2025
87. Nasruddin and the Tall Tree
The village boys wanted to trick Nasruddin and steal his new shoes.
“Look at this tall tree!” they shouted. “We’re too small to climb it, but maybe you can.”
Nasruddin looked at the tree, smiled and said, “That would be fun. I’ll try!”
So, Nasruddin took off his new shoes. Next, he tucked the shoes inside his belt. Then he began climbing.
“Wait!” shouted the boys. “Why are you taking your shoes with you?”
“This tree is so tall that it might lead all the way to heaven,” Nasruddin replied, “and I’ll need my shoes to walk around up there.”
Missive #495 Published 14 May 2025
Charles Hythloday observes the world from the comfortable confines of his family estate, and doesn't much care for what he sees. At twenty-four, Charles aims to resurrect the lost lifestyle of the aristocratic country gentleman. But Charles's cozy existence is about to face a serious shake-up. With the family fortune teetering in the balance, Charles must do something he swore he would never do: get a job. Booted into the mean streets of Dublin, he is as unprepared for real life. And it turns out that real life is a tad unprepared for Charles, as well.
Missive #494 Published 11 May 2025
Continuing The Anti-Federalist Papers
Centinel II (excerpt)
by Samuel Bryan
To the Freemen of Pennsylvania: