Thank you for the list. Well done. #1 on your list is the most vital of course. Very happy to see Tolkein, Dawson, Lewis, Feser et al on this list. Happy reading!
These days the world is opening up from the dark ages of Christendom, a world dominated by colonialism, superstition and arrogance, that was notable for it's gross disrespect of other cultures, so I think we should also add a few classics of Japanese, Indian, Latin American, Chinese and African literature - secular and religious, many of which are as distinguished and ancient as our own.
But if we MUST focus on Western literature, then this list is notable for its deficiencies, and Geoffrey Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales' merits more than a mention in passing.
You may well be correct that there are equally compelling works of poetry and prose in the archives of other cultures, Rob. Indeed, I am certain of it. However, I do not believe that to be FFF’s intent, to provide such a reading list. The world under assault, the one sinking beneath the waves, is not the Japanese or ancient Chinese (current China is a loathsome, arid culture), but the Christian West (pardon the redundancy). One major reason, perhaps THE reason, is the profound ignorance of today’s governing, cultural, and educational elite — not to mention nearly anyone under the age of 40 — and lack of exposure to great ideas brought to life in the great works.
As with you, I might swap out one of his suggestions for one of my own. But FFF isn’t writing my list, but his.
Oh, Christendom has already sunk to the Five Fathom mark, I'm afraid, in Europe at any rate. Still quite popular in the Third World, though.
Japan is in dire straights too - they have 9 million vacant rural homes and a crashing population - they are basically doomed. China is also in serious trouble.
Thank you for the list. Well done. #1 on your list is the most vital of course. Very happy to see Tolkein, Dawson, Lewis, Feser et al on this list. Happy reading!
These days the world is opening up from the dark ages of Christendom, a world dominated by colonialism, superstition and arrogance, that was notable for it's gross disrespect of other cultures, so I think we should also add a few classics of Japanese, Indian, Latin American, Chinese and African literature - secular and religious, many of which are as distinguished and ancient as our own.
But if we MUST focus on Western literature, then this list is notable for its deficiencies, and Geoffrey Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales' merits more than a mention in passing.
PS: 'Full fathom five' is of course from 'The Tempest' - a true masterpiece !
You may well be correct that there are equally compelling works of poetry and prose in the archives of other cultures, Rob. Indeed, I am certain of it. However, I do not believe that to be FFF’s intent, to provide such a reading list. The world under assault, the one sinking beneath the waves, is not the Japanese or ancient Chinese (current China is a loathsome, arid culture), but the Christian West (pardon the redundancy). One major reason, perhaps THE reason, is the profound ignorance of today’s governing, cultural, and educational elite — not to mention nearly anyone under the age of 40 — and lack of exposure to great ideas brought to life in the great works.
As with you, I might swap out one of his suggestions for one of my own. But FFF isn’t writing my list, but his.
Oh, Christendom has already sunk to the Five Fathom mark, I'm afraid, in Europe at any rate. Still quite popular in the Third World, though.
Japan is in dire straights too - they have 9 million vacant rural homes and a crashing population - they are basically doomed. China is also in serious trouble.