Seeking truth together
In the Hedgehog and the Fox (1953), Isaiah Berlin speculates on Leo Tolstoy’s inner turmoil. The famous Russian author self-sabotaged his own happiness (Valiunas, 1989). And Berlin suggests Tolstoy’s insatiable desire to find life’s unifying and absolute truth or principle may have been one of the reasons for his persistent discontent.
In “Delay, Deny, Defend,” Jay M. Feinman analyzes how insurance companies prioritize profits by postponing or denying claims, often using strategies to minimize payouts. He advocates for consumer awareness and legal action against unfair practices, emphasizing the importance of fair claim handling to uphold insurance’s role in economic security.
Hotter average temperatures and overconsumption of water threaten life in the North American Southwest. David Owen’s “Where the Water Goes” examines negotiations over Colorado River water as he traces the river’s journey from its headwaters in the United States to its delta in Mexico. Inadequate stakeholder cooperation and willingness to address environmental and geopolitical issues maintains the interventionist status quo.
Heather Ann Thompson’s “Blood in the Water” chronicles the 1971 Attica Uprising, highlighting systemic racism and injustice in American prisons. The book details the uprising’s context, violence, and legal aftermath, including a class action lawsuit settled 25 years later for $12 million, illustrating the gap between conviction and true justice.
The neti, neti project encourages a healthier, wealthier lifestyle through silent action. Emphasizing the concept of “neti, neti” (“not that, not that”) encourages acceptance of life’s uncertainties and imperfections. The video series aims for iterative improvements over unattainable perfection. This video reflects on old democratic principles from Alexis de Tocqueville.
“Dreams from My Father” is Barack Obama’s autobiographical coming of age story. The former president wrote it after his graduation from Harvard Law School in 1991 and published it in 1995. The book recounts his upbringing in Hawaii and Indonesia, his community work in Chicago, and the search for his paternal roots in Kenya.
In “Sex at Dawn,” authors Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jetha explore human sexuality, citing various researchers and authors. They examine polyamory, polygamy, and monogamy, suggesting that human nature encompasses a wide range of sexual behaviors and relationships. Is the book an antidote to monogamy or sexual repression?
“A Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley challenges the reader to reconsider utopia and the pursuit of happiness. Huxley’s fictional exploration of human civilization and its future sparks thought-provoking questions about the nature of happiness in human society. Do we live for pleasure alone?
The novel “Less” by Andrew Sean Greer, published in 2017, explores the emotional journey of Arthur Less, a middle-aged man seeking security and love. Greer’s portrayal of Less’s complexities and struggles may resonate with those who have faced similar challenges in work and love. Can an insecure person be loved?
Reading demands time and attention. Using a pen, the index, and the table of contents to devour only the books that most interest you can enhance your reading experience. These strategies help you retain knowledge and spend more time with your favorite books.
