My blog post today is a fascinating essay by Isaiah about writing, rhetoric, and Winston Churchill, which was published in the Atlantic in 1949. I find it a rich think piece that works, I think successfully, to rescue Churchill from his critics. Here's a link to the original. He starts with a vicious attack on … Continue reading Isaiah Berlin on Writing, Rhetoric, and Churchill
This post is a lovely essay by William Galston about the importance of character in political life, which was published recently in American Prospect. Here's a link to the original. His case in point is George Washington, whose own character was the key to American independence and the formative influence on establishing the American presidency. … Continue reading William Galston — When Character Reigned
History is full of ironies. One is that sometimes buffoons can be more beneficent national leaders than great men. A case in point is Napoleon III. My source for this analysis is the new book by Alan Strauss-Schom, The Shadow Emperor: A Biography of Napoleon III. Louis Napoleon Bonaparte was the undistinguished nephew and heir … Continue reading Beneficent Buffoon — The Case of Napoleon III
David Labaree on Schooling, History, and Writing 