Saturday Good Reads

From about the 1870s to the 1910s, many members of the cultural elites in Russia came to reject the tsarist regime; some embraced nihilism and terrorism. No one knew it at the time, but the stage was being set for the Bolshevik Revolution, which would eventually triumph and consume many of these same elites. Anna Geifman, writing in Tablet Magazine, says there are some lessons to be learned from the Russian Revolution.

Wallace Stevens was one of the poets I began to read when I started writing speeches (two others were Dylan Thomas and T.S. Eliot). Stevens is still read today, and with good reason. Writing for FORMA Journal, poet James Matthew Wilson discusses the elegance of this famed Modernist poet.

 

The first time we visited Southwark Cathedral, we wandered our way along the South Bank and stumbled upon the ruin of a building. A plaque explained what it was – the remains of Winchester Palace. The site was first established before the 13^th century, and was dramatically expanded as the seat of the Bishop of Winchester. The wall is what’s left. A London Inheritance describes the palace and what was in the surrounding area. 

 

More Good Reads

 

Life and Culture

 

The Threat to Academic Freedom: From Anecdotes to Data – Eric Kaufmann at Quillette.

 

The Aztec Revival in California’s Public Schools – Christopher Silvester at The Critic Magazine.

 

What Happens When a Slogan Becomes the Curriculum – Conor Friedersdorf at The Atlantic.

 

The Tech Supremacy: Silicon Valley Can No Longer Conceal Its Power – Niall Ferguson at The Spectator.

 

Writing and Literature

 

Eight of Literature’s Most Powerful Inventions—and the Neuroscience Behind How They Work – Angus Fletcher at Smithsonian Magazine.

 

On the Undeniable Lure of the Historic Literary Home – Elizabeth Brooks at Literary Hub.

 

Poetry

 

The Illiterati – Susan Jarvis Bryant at Society of Classical Poets.

 

The Magnetism of Edna St. Vincent Millay – Vivian Gornick at Literary Hub.

 

What does poetry bring to theology? Ian Paul interviews Dr. Richard Briggs – Psephizo. (Hat Tip: Paul Stolwyck.)

 

British Stuff

 

Tolkien’s Oxford: his life in the city portrayed by a professional guide – Rob’s Oxford (video).

 

Hopkins and Oldman: The very best of British actors – Alexander Larman at The Critic Magazine.

 

Faith

 

Rain or Shine, He Showed Up – Erik Raymond at The Gospel Coalition.

 

American Stuff

 

The Pursuit of Religious Liberty in Colonial America – Dr. Daniel Dreisbach at the Institute for Faith, Work, & Economics.

 

News Media

 

Substack writers are mad at Substack. The problem is money and who's making it – Peter Kafka at Recode.

 

You Raise Me Up: Peter Hollins and 200 Kids Sing A Cappella Style

 

Painting: Young Woman Reading a Letter, oil on canvas by Jean Raoux (1677-1734).