With that understood, here’s my list of books, each with an Amazon link. First up, a few books I’ve actually read and enjoyed.
The Puppet Show of Memory, by Maurice Baring (1922). I’ve read many autobiographies, but this book tops them all. Maurice Baring is one of those English writers, popular during the first-half of the 20th century, who has been largely forgotten; and that’s a shame.
Baring enjoyed a remarkable life (1874-1945), traveling the world in the midst of war and peace. Born into a well-connected family, he knew personally many of the world's movers and shakers, as well as the celebrities of his day.
Dove Descending, by Thomas Howard (2006). Thomas Howard, another convert to Catholicism, died this past October at the age of 85.
Howard was a remarkable man whom I had the honor of knowing, if only slightly. Although we corresponded a bit via letter, as I recall we met only twice, and spent most of those brief meetings talking about the novels of Charles Williams, a subject on which Howard had written a wonderful book and was probably the world’s most knowledgeable scholar. He also authored a number of scholarly works on C. S. Lewis and T. S. Eliot. The current volume, Dove Descending -- subtitled “A Journey into T. S. Eliot’s Four Quartets” -- offers an excellent commentary on what I’ve always believed to be one of Eliot’s greatest poems. If you’re looking for a gift for someone who appreciates good poetry, give them this book. And while you’re at it, you might consider bundling it with a copy of Eliot’s poem: Four Quartets.
The Well and the Shallows, by G. K. Chesterton (1935). With the possible exception of books by Pope Benedict XVI, my home library probably holds more books by G. K. Chesterton than any other author. This volume, a collection of essays first published just a few years before the onset of World War II, is a true prophetic text in which Chesterton takes a serious look at the grave moral and societal issues facing mankind then and now. He warns the world of Naziism, nationalism, socialism, Communism, and a capitalism that rejects Christian ideals and morality. He examines militarism and pacifism, anti-Semitism, materialism, and the sexual revolution decades before it appeared. Sadly, everything Chesterton wrote about remains true but has been largely ignored...to our peril. Chesterton (1874-1936) died just a year after this book was published.
The Annotated Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen (first published, 1813). If you've read yesterday's post, you'll know I've long been a Jane Austen fan. Should you happen to know someone who's never read her work -- in which case his or her education was sorely lacking -- this annotated version of her most famous novel, Pride and Prejudice, would be a good starting point. The annotations, provided by David M. Shapard, an historian who has annotated all of Austen's novels, will help those who might need an occasional explanation as they navigate through the peculiarities of early nineteenth-century England. Austen died in 1817 at the age of 41.
Pirate Freedom, by Gene Wolfe (2007). Okay, it's a novel about pirates -- Arrgghh! -- but with a twist, since it's also a sci-fi novel. Don't let that scare you off because the authur, Gene Wolfe, was an amazing writer, among the very best writers of American fiction. Sadly, he died last year at the age of 87. Wolfe is intentionally ignored by many of the literati because of the sci-fi genre, and also because his Catholic faith has colored his work deeply.
Our Peculiar Times, by Fr. George Rutler (2020). If you’ve never read anything by Fr. Rutler, you should be ashamed of yourself. Buy one of his books, and do it now!
Fr. Rutler is one of the leading voices of sanity within today’s Catholic Church. Nothing escapes his notice and he introduces it all to us in a remarkable mix of humor and wisdom. The problem with his books? I read them too quickly. Once I crack the binding, I can’t put it down until I’ve turned the last page. Of course, I usually reread them because I miss so much on that first rapid reading. This latest of his commentaries on the human condition addresses everything from pandemics and societal upheaval to faithlessness and ignorance. As one reviewer put it, "This book is a must-read for anyone interested in rousing our fellow Americans from their slumber and persuading them back to faith, hope, charity and courage."
Baring wrote a number of wonderful novels, some surprisingly good poetry, and several remarkable books based on his personal experiences in many of the age's great events. (Indeed, his book, R.F.C. H.Q. 1914-1918, is a marvelous read and relates his service with the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War.) My personal library probably contains a dozen of his books, volumes you won’t find in many public libraries today. The literary establishment ignores Baring because he was born into a wealthy family, ignored political correctness, converted to Catholicism, and befriended both Chesterton and Belloc, among other sins. How wonderful that his autobiography is in print once again, and even available on Amazon. It’s also available as a Kindle edition — I think, for free.
This novel has it all: a Catholic priest with a long -- indeed, a very long -- and strange past; time travel; pirates on the Spanish Main; lots of shiny gold; and a love story thrown in. If you know anyone who enjoys a good yarn, extremely well told, and can suspend his disbelief, this just might be the book to place under the tree.
Now, a few books I have not yet read, but feel confident recommending. In each instance I've either read other works by the author or have read a review of the recommended book by someone whose opinion I trust.
Blackout, by Candace Owens (2020). If you're wondering why many in the black community are turning to the political right and deserting the Democrat party, Candace Owens will answer your questions. A political activist and star of social media, Owens lifts the lid and exposes the true racism of the political left. Indeed, her book's subtitle says it best: "How Black America Can Make Its Second Escape from the Democrat Plantation.” I’ve listened to several of Owens’ podcast talks, occasionally caught her commentaries on various opinion shows, and always came away enlightened and greatly impressed by this remarkable young woman.
Blessed Charles of Austria, by Charles A. Coulombe (2020). I was truly surprised by the number of Catholics who were shocked when Pope John Paul II beatified Emperor Charles of Austria in 2004. The last Habsburg emperor of Austria-Hungary who accepted the throne in the midst of Word War I, Blessed Charles struggled valiantly to bring peace to the world, but was betrayed by almost everyone. This devoted husband and father lived a life of humility and holiness (1887-1922), a life whose story must be told. Yes, it’s a sad story from a worldly perspective, but a glorious story from heavenly perspective. I have read other books about Blessed Charles and the Habsburgs, and enjoyed them, but this promises to be the best yet.
The Right Side: a Novel, by Spencer Quinn (2017). For several years now I've meant to pick up a copy of this novel, but for some reason have failed to do so. For me a novel must first be a good story with well-developed characters, and I'm told this book has both. The novel's lead character is a woman, a soldier who returned from Afghanistan physically and mentally wounded. But she's joined by another character, a dog with an attitude. This, of course, simply piques my interest, making the novel even more attractive. As one reviewer describes the plot: "a deeply damaged female soldier comes home from the war in Afghanistan and becomes obsessed with finding a missing girl, gains an unlikely ally in a stray dog, and encounters new perils beyond the combat zone." Sounds like my kind of novel.
Okay, that's enough...
Let me know if any of my recommendations work out for your gift-gving. If they don't, please keep it to yourself.
Have a blessed and merry Christmas.
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