Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for May 26–June 1

Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for May 26–June 1
This week, we feature a witty guide to domestic and cultural sanity and an incisive look at the gifts Greek classics have bestowed on our culture.

Nonfiction

‘Domestic Extremist: A Practical Guide to Winning the Culture War’ By Peachy Keenan

The new radical extremism calls for sanity! Imagine that! This enjoyable guide asks its readers to turn their backs on our present-day culture, particularly on today’s third wave of feminism, and to go back to the basics of home, family, and virtues. Here is a tiger mom’s roaring battle cry for marriage, children, and what used to be considered normal life. Keenan also offers a feast of wit and humor, seasoned with a good dash of biting snark, that will leave you chuckling or laughing outright.

Regnery Publishing, 2023, 256 pages

Classics

‘Who Killed Homer? The Demise of Classical Education and the Recovery of Greek Wisdom’ By Victor Davis Hanson and John Heath

Though the book explores the decline of classical education and ways to revive it, Hanson and Heath also give readers many insights into ancient history and literature and its enormous influence on Western civilization. The authors rightly take to task the academics whose political views and disregard for our heritage have damaged their own departments, but they also do us all a great service by urging a restoration of classical studies, which would do much to restore our culture and our republic.

Encounter Books, 2001, 323 pages

Music

‘Playing in the Rain: Lindsey Buckingham & Fleetwood Mac’ By Tyler Martin Sehnal

In the 1970s and 1980s, the pop-rock group Fleetwood Mac dominated radio airways. Even today, it can’t be dismissed as “your grandparents’ music.” This history follows Fleetwood Mac from its inception to the present, telling the story of each album and analyzing the music. It presents the group, the careers of individual members, and their breakups and reunions and argues that Lindsey Buckingham was most responsible for Fleetwood Mac’s success, creating the Fleetwood Mac sound.

Ingramspark, 2023, 324 pages

Military History

‘Desert Armour: Tank Warfare in North Africa: Beda Fomm to Operation Crusader, 1940–41’ By Robert Forczyk

Military historian Robert Forczyk’s work encompasses the World War II North African campaign during the years of 1940 and 1941. His study is specific to tank warfare and how it was used by the Italians, Germans, and British. While the European and Pacific Theaters often receive the most attention, this book points a necessary spotlight on the North African Theater. It’s an exhaustive work presented in elaborate detail that will certainly inform even the savviest of World War II history buffs.

Osprey Publishing, 2023, 336 pages

Religion

‘Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: Celtic Wisdom for Reawakening to What Our Souls Know and Healing the World’ By John Philip Newell

There is much wisdom in Celtic Christianity. John Philip Newell is a Church of Scotland minister who encourages connecting to the sacred all around and within us. In this history, he introduces readers to Celtic prophets from Pelagius, a Roman Britain theologian from the fourth century, to Scottish academic and poet Kenneth White. Perhaps we have forgotten what lies inherently in our souls: that we are spiritual creatures. Perhaps it’s time to be renewed and reawakened to the sacred.

HarperOne, 2021, 288 pages

For Kids

‘The Cricket in Times Square’ By George Selden and Garth Williams

After riding a picnic basket from Connecticut to the center of New York City, a cricket named Chester meets a mouse, Tucker; a cat, Harry; and a boy named Mario, who makes Chester his pet. Mario’s family’s newsstand is struggling. Could a country cricket and his new friends possibly help? Add this enjoyable classic to the summer reading pile.

Square Fish Updated Edition, 2022, 160 pages
Dustin Bass is an author and co-host of The Sons of History podcast. He also writes two weekly series for The Epoch Times: Profiles in History and This Week in History.
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