Best classic book/essay/work for Liberals/Dems/Progressives to read

[dobak]

I'm sure I forgot some of the classics, but which of the following would be the best book for a Liberal minded person to read.

[dobak]

1. interesting so far

I posted this poll because I decided to go stock my bookshelf, and these are the books that I came home with.

I'm new to DU, but I've already noticed that there are many members here who know what they are talking about and have obviously read some of the great historical books/documents that the current Liberal ideology is founded upon.

I've also noticed that there are alot of members here who sound like a liberal version of a Freeper (whine/bitch/attack/lie/twist/etc..).

Keep voting, I don't know which book to read first

:-)

[edward]

3. "many members who know what they are talking about"

Have been impressed with the wealth of knowledge at this site.
In fact, the vast majority of folks here are quite serious and deliberate.
If you learn to skip exchanges with people who just want to irritate, you will have more fun.

[Breezy du Nord]

7. Welcome to DU

:hi:

I went for Dilent Spring. probably cuz it's the only only one I've read. But that'll prbably change soon. I plan to read them all now.

[JanMichael]

2. If you can still add "The Iron Heel" please do it.

I'm reading it now and even though it was written in 1906, by Jack London, it's about NOW!

No shit. It's hardcore Left and anti-Oligarchy.

[dobak]

4. Thanks!

I'll put the "Iron Heel" on my personal wish list

I also want to get some Steinbeck:

In Dubious Battle
Grapes of Wrath
Cannery Row
Tortilla Flat
Of Mice and Men

[Wolfman 11]

5. Catch-22

or Closing Time, its' sequel. Or "Fear & Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72".

[ulysses]

6. no Locke?

:shrug:

[Lone_Wolf_Moderate]

8. Paine, Mill, and the Bible.

Those are the three most important liberal treatises ever written. You could also include Jefferson, Thoreau, MLK (his letters), Locke, Rawls, and of course Rousseau, and Sinclair's The Jungle is a classic.

P.S. Marx, Che Guevarra, and Lenin? :wtf:

[dobak]

11. Marx/Lenin/Guevara

ok, so they are quite far to the left (beyond me)...

...but, they are also figues who have influenced and wrote about many of the topics of today.

----

- I already own a ton of Jefferson and think that anyone who calls themselves a liberal should read him (even if his views on Blacks and Native Americans is rather scary and ignorant).

- I forgot about Locke

- MLK is wonderful, and I should have included his "Letter From a Jail in Birmingham"

[ryharrin]

9. 1984

Its a book I think everyone should read though. I also think the New Testament should be up there for people to pick, I wouldn't choose it as #1, but i'm sure some would.

[dobak]

12. duh!

"1984" and "Brave New World"

I read them back-to-back last year and am still trying to get over it :-)

[ryharrin]

16. Don't forget Animal Farm too.

Might be even more relevant than 1984 right now. Its about the selling of totalitarianism to the people (animals?)

[oostevo]

10. How About Babbit?

It's a classic, and it demonstrates conservative oppression in American society very well.

[JanMichael]

17. Whoa! Step back...I just finished "Main Street"!

Have you read that one? Holy crap, Carol is ground to dust IMHO.

After finishing "The Iron Heel" tonight "Babbit" is my next book!

[baldguy]

13. How about the Constitution of the United States?

[uptohere]

22. and the Bill of Rights of course

those two pretty much cover it for this country.

[dobak]

25. Of course those two are essential

I guess I was hoping that everyone who considers themselves politically active would own a copy of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence and have read them a couple times

:-)

[MrPrax]

14. Missing A Few Dozen?

Orwell
1984
Down and Out in Paris and London

B Traven
esp his Jungle series

Hannah Arendt
Human Condition

Isiah Berlin
Two Concepts of Liberty

Plato's Republic

Rawl's A Theory Of Justice

O'Conner's Fiscal Crisis of the State

Karel Capek
War with the Newts

list is endless really and that is staying away from the huge and respectable body of Marxists scholars

[Keithpotkin]

15. plato's republic aint the most liberal read...

in my opinion

[MrPrax]

18. The Book tries to answer the Question

"What is a just society?" in a series of dialogues split into 10 books that deal with the question and it's variants?

Can't imagine a more Liberal topic?

[edward]

20. But isn't Plato's conclusion that a just society is where everyone

stays in their place? It is utopian because there is no place for revolution: the leaders are enlightened.

[Keithpotkin]

21. liberal topic?

shouldnt we be more worried about the conclusions that are made....rather then just the topic.

[bemildred]

19. Orwell, Traven, Arendt ...

Good list, add Emma Goldman.

[dobak]

24. Thanks!

Some great titles on your list!

My list was just comprised of books that I purchased today, but now it looks like I need to start another "wish list" and include some of those titles listed

:-)

[delete_bush]

23. After reading the above,

try these (only an empty stomach), and have a trusted friend around to watch you in case of adverse reaction...

The Savage Nation
Treason
Let Freedom Ring
Slander
The Death of Outrage
The O’Reilly Factor
When Character was King
The Final Days
A Charge to Keep
Slouching Towards Gomorrah
anything by Limbaugh or Dr. Laura