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Missive #118 Published 1 September 2023

I did not like this book although there were some reviewers that thought it was great. There were two reviews that I have quoted that express what I did not like. First, was the non-linear narrative1 and second was too much philosophy2. Huxley once stated that his aim in his fictional works was to “arrive, technically, at a perfect fusion of the novel and the essay.” Perhaps he thought that he did that with this book. I think he made a hash of it and would have been better to publish the 'story' as a novel and the rest as a collection of essays.

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Missive #117 Published 31 August 2023

An interesting book that makes a good point about one of the things that has created the new aristocrats/elites and the 'deplorables'.

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Missive #116 Published 29 August 2023

I read a lot of Berry’s books while living in Reno and could get them as dead trees from the Reno library. When they changed their policy about charging for Interlibrary Loans I let him slide. Very glad that I have picked up again about where I left off with this book published in 2000. If you read nothing else in the book read the last essay, Chapter VIII Some Notes In Conclusion.

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Missive #115 Published 27 August 2023

Federalist No. 2 Concerning Dangers from Foreign Force and Influence For the Independent Journal. Author: John Jay To the People of the State of New York:

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Missive #114 Published 25 August 2023

I liked the subject matter of this book but did not like the style. To use 'an oral history form' for a speculative alternative history just didn't work for me. the author has written a series of novels that I'm going to give a try and hope he uses a more conventional style.

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Missive #113 Published 22 August 2023

Classical liberalism promised to overthrow the old aristocracy, creating an order in which individuals could create their own identities and futures. To some extent it did--but it has also demolished the traditions and institutions that nourished ordinary people and created a new and exploitative ruling class. This class's economic libertarianism, progressive values, and technocratic commitments have led them to rule for the benefit of the "few" at the expense of the "many," precipitating our current political crises.

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Missive #112 Published 20 August 2023

Although the anti-Federalists lost the struggle over ratification, their defense of individual rights and suspicion of power remain core American political values, and the bill of rights is a lasting monument to their importance. I am posting the writings that were opposed to the Constitution which I suggest be read to give a balanced view if there is a Second Constitutional Convention.

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Missive #111 Published 18 August 2023

Another trip into Reserve for breakfast and pick up a few things at Jake’s. Also another stop at Catron Garage. This time I need to have a circuit breaker in my electrical converter fixed. When we had the storm with a lot of hail the circuit breaker for the line to to the refrigerator and one wall plug tripped off.

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Missive #110 Published 15 August 2023

This is the first book in a trilogy and is Tim Severin's first novel. He has used his research from years ago when he followed The Brendan Voyage and wrote his first nonfiction book about that adventure.

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Missive #109 Published 13 August 2023

Federalist No. 1 General Introduction Author: Alexander Hamilton To the People of the State of New York

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