14 Comments
User's avatar
Peter Boghossian's avatar

These are interesting comments. Thanks.

(The Forever War was one of my favorite books.)

Expand full comment
for the kids's avatar

I like this one:

“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive.”

― James Baldwin

Expand full comment
Peter S. Fosl's avatar

Fahrenheit 451. Put me on the path to being an academic.

Expand full comment
Peter Boghossian's avatar

In literature?

Expand full comment
Peter S. Fosl's avatar

Yeah, in philosophy, in particular the history of philosophy. Like heroes of “Fahrenheit 451,” I try to save the wonderful old books of philosophical literature: Plato, Cicero, Sextus, Montaigne, Hume, de Gournay, Wollstonecraft, Cugoano, Goldman, etc. My edited collection “Philosophy: The Classic Readings” is dedicated to Montag, the protagonist of “Fahrenheit 451.” Thanks for all your great work, Peter.

Expand full comment
Catherine's avatar

Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath.”

Expand full comment
Richards Joanne's avatar

Although not a novel, I learned much about China that I was only peripherally aware of from Wild Swans, The Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang.

Expand full comment
Ute Heggen's avatar

All of Isaac B Singer, especially his novel about post-Holocaust life for survivors, Enemies, A Love Story. Next, The Blue Mountain by Meir Shalev, who died last year. Third, A Tale of Love and Darkness by Amos Oz.

Expand full comment
Andrew Heard's avatar

I find it interesting that you find it helpful to turn your brain off when watching TV shows or movies. Which makes me wonder what exactly you're watching that allows you to do this. Personally I find it intellectually stimulating, which is why I write about the philosophy behind it. But what exactly do you watch?

Expand full comment
Peter Boghossian's avatar

Sci fi. At least it turns my brain off in a very particular type of way.

Expand full comment
Andrew Heard's avatar

I can see that. You definitely can be taken out of the world you’re currently living in and don’t have to think about crazy politicians and their policies.

Expand full comment
Betty Loewen's avatar

When I was an older teen, Boede Thoene's historical novel series, The Zion Chronicles and the Zion Covenant, introduced me to the heart of God for the Jewish People, their spiritual connection with the Land of Israel and the significance of the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. It influenced me greatly to be Christian Zionist and pursue my connection with the Jewish people and their Land for my entire life.

Expand full comment
Jennifer Talbot's avatar

Liberation Day , a collection of short stories and Lincoln on the Bardo by George Saunders both heartbreaking and thought provoking.

Expand full comment
Peter Boghossian's avatar

Excellent!

Expand full comment