While browsing in the bookstore the other day, I saw several books that I'll probably either buy or borrow to read in the future. Following is a list and short description of each book that caught my interest:
Our Endangered Values: American's Moral Crisis by Jimmy Carter
The former president criticizes Christian fundamentalists for their "rigidity, domination and exclusion". Mr Carter believes that their open hostility toward a range of "sinners" runs counter to America's legacy of democratic freedom. Fundamentalist attribute the abysmal crisis in which America allegedly finds itself to liberals and secular humanists, pointing to teen pregnancy, homosexuality, abortion, etc, as symptomatic proof of this decline. Carter, however, believes much of the problem lies with right wing Christian fundamentalists. Huge gaps between rich and poor, disrespect for human rights, cruel and unusual treatment of prisoners, a despoiled environment and a dangerous foreign policy -- these, for him, are the true indications of how far we have fallen.
The Republican War On Science by Chris Mooney
The author exposes how right-wing politicians have built institutions designed to discredit working scientists; how some energy companies have allied themselves with powerful Republicans to block or reverse U.S. steps to curb global warming; and how the present administration defies expert consensus on climate change, on mercury pollution, even on how to read statistics. Mooney tracks Bush administration efforts to spread misinformation about stem cells; the work of religious right regulators like Dr. David Hager (formerly on the FDA's Reproductive Health Drugs advisory committee) in restricting access to birth control; and the attempts of the Discovery Institute (and other think tanks linked to the Bush base) to fight the teaching of evolution.
A Mind of Its Own: A Cultural History of the Penis by David Friedman
After the recent dustup here and elsewhere about the issue of male circumcision, I thought this book might be interesting to read.
Predator by Patricia Cornwell
The latest installation of the Kay Scarpetta mystery series. If this one is like previous books in the series, it should be a good read.
I'm No Saint by Elizabeth Hayt
This book is apparently the confessions of a late-blooming female libertine, who engaged in a libertine lifestyle after leaving a conventional marriage.
__________
This is a fairly eclectic mix to keep me reading for awhile. I'll probably buy the two political books, and get the last three at the library. If the book about the female libertine is good, I'll also buy that one for my collection.
I'd be curious to know what's on your "To Be Read" list.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment