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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2008 > March > 18 > Entry
This is the new place to post suggestions for editorial page book club
(This is a column of mine from paper of Wednesday, 3-19. If you want more on the Editorial Page Book Club, click on the “Book Club” listing under “Categories” at the right of this space.)
Thank you to the readers who have suggested books for the Dayton Daily News Editorial Page Book Club.
Before proceeding, let us clarify: This is not “The Big Read.” That’s a whole other book-reading project. “Big Read” groups are already meeting to discuss this year’s book, “Funny in Farsi.”
For the Editorial Page Book Club, no book has been selected.
What’s happened so far is that I wrote a column inviting suggestions. Then, as suggestions were coming in, I got largely diverted to certain work we had to do on the March primary. Now it’s time to move ahead.
When we’ve selected a book, we’ll get together and talk at the Cox Ohio Media Center. Maybe we will try to get the author to participate in some way. (Sometimes that’s not possible.)
So far, there’s has been no great groundswell of support for any particular book. The floor is still open for new suggestions or comments on those suggestions already made.
We’re looking for a book that is about the kinds of issues that are discussed on this page and the one next to it. So it should probably be non-fiction, fairly current, easily available, a “good read” and of fairly broad interest. If it has some local angle, all the better.
Here (in no order) are some suggestions we’ve received, along with some comments offered by the suggestor:
• “Bowling Alone” by Robert Putnam. It should be read by all who are concerned with membership in churches, civic groups, service clubs, fraternal groups, etc.
• “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace One School at a Time” by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.
• Richard Florida’s new book titled, “Who’s Your City?: How the Creative Economy Is Making Where You Live the Most Important Decision of Your Life.”
• Michael Pollan’s “The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals,” which covers issues relating to the food industry in America — agribusiness’s corn industry, factory farms, etc. Very informative book, and one that overrides a political perspective and certainly impacts not only Ohio, but every state in the Union.
• “The World Without Us” by Alan Weisman. Envision the world without humans. This book uses archeology, engineering, zoology, botany, and many other disciplines to conjecture what our planet would become and what our actions may have set into motion.
• “The Nine (Inside The Secret World of the Supreme Court)” by Jeffrey Toobin. Most of us know so little about the workings of our third branch of government and the various people, not just the justices, involved. I am about half way through the book and have found it fascinating.
• “China Road: A Journey into the Future of a Rising Power” by NPR reporter Rob Gifford.
• “Freedom for the Thought That We Hate: A Biography of the First Amendment” by Anthony Lewis, a two-time Pulitzer winner. I have not yet read this book, but the author’s previous output has been eminently worth reading and highly readable. From the reviews, it sounds as if Mr. Lewis is taking a well balanced stand on the First Amendment.”
• “FairTax: Answering the Critics.” The FairTax seems to get a lot of attention in the newspaper, and the release is timely.
• “The Long Emergency” by James Howard Kunstler. A counterpoint to “The World Is Flat.” That’s the Thomas Friedman book that the club read last time.
• Awww, c’mon, guys, fiction is where the truth gets told. You know that! Start with “Atonement” or anything else by Ian McEwan. Perhaps “Saturday.”
• “Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (and Stick You with the Bill)” by David Cay Johnston.
• Arnold S. Relman, M.D.’s, book, “A Second Opinion: Rescuing America’s Health Care.” I think an examination of America’s Health Care System, and possible solutions, would be appropriate in an election year in which health care reform should be a critical issue.
• Robert Reich has a new book out titled “Supercapitalism,” which helps explain why people feel like they do not have a voice anymore and offers some action items, none of them easy, of course.
• “The Age of Turbulence” by Alan Greenspan. He’s the retired chairman of the Federal Reserve Board and a good author.
• “The Coldest Winter — America and the Korean War” by David Halberstam. Finally, here’s an excerpt from a press release the newspaper received. Might be worth thinking about:
• “Troublemaker: A Personal History of Education Reform since Sputnik” by Chester E. (Checker) Finn Jr. (The book) paints a vivid history of postwar education reform intertwined with the personal story of Checker as one of the foremost players in American education over the past 50 years. Of course, Checker’s story begins in Dayton and the Gem City is referenced throughout.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Book Club
Comments
By Martin Gottlieb
March 20, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
This came from Peggy Lehner. Looks especially relevant. I have ordered the first book she mentions from Amazon, as well as the Richard Florida book. If anybody else can do that, that’d be great. Lehner portion starts here: Hey Martin…thought I would throw my 2 cents in on the book club question. I am half way through a book entitled Caught in the Middle by Chicago Tribune reporter, Richard Longworth. It is a well written, balanced analysis of the effects of globalization on the Midwest. Dayton is prominently featured-as a matter of fact the entire third chapter deals with the future of Dayton. Local readers will also recognize many of the other places, including nearby farming communities which provide very real reference points for a complex discussion. While there is a certain pessimism over how well much of the Midwest will survive the loss of its manufacturing base and globalized agriculture, the author is actually fairly upbeat about Dayton. Among other reasons for optimism, Longworth mentions that Dayton “has a good and courageous newspaper, the Dayton Daily News, that is focusing the city to look hard at itself.” Bet it is the only book on your list that plugs the paper! I had ordered this book from Amazon and found it waiting in my mailbox upon returning from the bus trip to the GM plant in Detroit. I found it fascinating that so much of what I heard in Detroit was being reiterated in this book. The book raises a number of important questions for the region including whether or not Dayton’s tradition as an automotive town is deterring it from reinventing itself as something new. I also found the discussion of Midwest values etc. especially timely given the great Get Midwest debate. Anyway, like I said, I am only half way through the book and might end up panning it but so far it is just one of those books that you read and really want to talk about so your column jumped out at me this morning. I am also about half way through Checker’s book Troublemaker and would comment that I don’t see it as having nearly the universal appeal of Caught in the Middle. While well worth reading, it is definitely geared more to the education crowd. Have you actually read Relman’s book on health care? I was thinking about ordering it. Anyway good luck on your search…if time permits I would love to participate in your discussion.By Martin Gottlieb
March 20, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
This came in via e-mail: Hooray, I second Robert Putnam’s “Bowling Alone”. I suggest a fiction selection(s) that lighten up the Putnam or Richard Florida’s books (both great books) - almost any of the John Grisham books, except “Bleachers” and “Skipping Christmas”. Neither is as riveting and fascinating a plot as his other books. I haven’t read his two latest novels, but I doubt that I’ll be disappointed.By Martin Gottlieb
March 20, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL: Glad to hear a selection has not yet been finalized. I was watching Bill Moyer’s journal one night when Susan Jacoby appeared to talk about her book, The Age of American Unreason. I feel a real need to examine America’s decline in the quest for knowledge and reason that I have witnessed over the past decade. I joined your book club when we read The World is Flat that pointed to the globalization of our economy. Without the competitive edge that knowledge brings forth, we will lose our status as a world leader. Susan Jacoby’s book highlights those concerns and I would like for you to consider this important work for the next book club selection.By Martin Gottlieb
March 21, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL: I suggest the book by the daytonian Melody Moezzi ; America’s war on error, stories of American Muslims. it was recently published and she had a book signing in sept at the Greene Books and Company. Very easy to read and flows nicely.By Jeffery
March 26, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
I’ve heard about Caught in the Middle from other sources, and it sounds like a good choice, too.By Dayton View Triangle mom
March 28, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
I like Beyond the Classroom by Larry Steinberg. It talks about education reforms (which Dayton is newly famous for) and how parents really have to change what they do at home to affect the outcomes for our children. Because Dayton, OH is a hotbed of education reform, I see this book as a needed discussion point here. However, I like several other books on that list too. Even the World is Flat by Friedman could bring lots of good discussion about what’s going on in Dayton. His work and the 4 hour workweek book both give us a look into the future. I think discussions such as these combined with the guy who wrote about the creative class are so very relevant. I’m glad you’re doing this!By Martin Gottlieb
April 1, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
To “Dayton View Triangle Mom:” Thanks for the suggestion. Does the Steinberg book actually mention Dayton? Martin