Statement of Purpose

I have decided to alter this blog and update it more frequently. Each book I read shall from here on out be noted, and one or two key ideas derived from it acknowledged. The inspiration for this came from other book blogs out there, but there are few such sites with such a focus on classical texts and philosophy, in addition to fine literature. I shall fill this hole.

Book projects for now:

• Continue reading the Metaphysics, especially the central books, the fourth, and the twelfth. Read Aquinas' commentary.
• Finish Blood Meridian.
• Finish The Brothers Karamazov (why I have never finished such a masterpiece eludes me).
• Read volume two of the Icelandic Sagas.

My first focus will be on books I read on my own time, but seminar readings shall also make an appearance.

To kick it off, here is the first entry: Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, State and Revolution. My first true foray into Communist thought. Crude, materialist Hegelianism at its worst, but an extremely informative reading on Communist theory. The progression from capitalism to communism is beautifully drawn, making it quite compelling even to one who despises Marxism as I do. Capitalism leads to revolution, then to the dictatorship of the proletariat, to socialism, and finally to pure communism. Lenin writes we cannot know how long each stage will last in this necessary historical dialectic, thus explaining why countries having Communist revolutions never seem to get beyond dictatorship.

Unfortunately, the feeling I had reading the short essay was one of unrelenting, oppressive, gray atmosphere. All was colorless and unlovely. This feeling alone suffices for my dislike of Marx and his ilk; there is no humor, no life in writings like these. Lenin was a good Marxist qua materialism so this does not really surprise me.

State and Revolution serves as an admirable introduction to Communist thought. I am interested in pursuing the topic further, and will read the Manifesto (of course!) and Marx's Revolutions of 1848, in addition to some of his more theoretical works. After all, one must know thine enemy, and Communism is little different from the Eastern despotism that so threatened Athens.