My family is full of summer birthdays (except for me). I've decided that this year, I'm giving books. My dad's birthday is up next. For him, it's mostly a matter of narrowing the list. My sister is the next month, and that one is gonna be tough. I have to walk a fine line with that one. ANY suggestions are more than welcome!
My mom's birthday was about a week ago. I gave her The Creature From Jekyl Island and The Original Argument: The Federalists' Case for the Constitution. Both were Beck books, which I found appropriate, since she's the one who got me hooked on him this past year.
She had specifically mentioned months (months!) prior that she was interested in the first book, the one about the Fed. It's out of print -- but heavily available via used sellers on Amazon -- so I thought that was a no brainer choice.
As for the rewrite of the Federalist Papers.... When I was in college and first became academically interested in early Americana, my mom gave me a copy of the Federalist Papers. I read some of it but wouldn't understand the significance of the text nor the gesture until I grew a bit older.
Long story short, I usually have a difficult time shopping for my mom's birthday, but this year optioned presented themselves.
As for my dad. He likes economics. He hates socialism. He introduced me to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which I think he liked, in part, because of the visible bra-straps. I've been thinking about The Science of Success -- (one of the) Koch bros' writing about his business philosophy. I've also been thinking about The Politically Incorrect Guide to Socialism. I've also considered Obama books like The Roots of Obama's Rage. Honestly, I'd really love to give him a book about Woodrow Wilson & the roots of progressivism, but I'm not sure which is the best.
As for my sister.... Um.... She's the political black sheep of the family, in that she thinks she in the middle but is actually to the Left. She attended a liberal liberal arts college (where, for example, she says it was a big deal to her friends that my dad hunts). She thinks Palin is full of lies. She likes NPR. She lives in Iowa. She likes to rent pulp murder mystery audiobooks from the library. I've been considering giving her Atlas Shrugged. I've also been considering whether or not this would be an offensive present. I'm not sure how socialist-leaning she is. I know she teaches at a college and most of her friends are professors. She lives in the Iowa equivalent of Madison, and many of my friends consider Ayn Rand offensive. Thus, I worry. I dunno. Other than that, I have no ideas for her. Yet.
My mom's birthday was about a week ago. I gave her The Creature From Jekyl Island and The Original Argument: The Federalists' Case for the Constitution. Both were Beck books, which I found appropriate, since she's the one who got me hooked on him this past year.
She had specifically mentioned months (months!) prior that she was interested in the first book, the one about the Fed. It's out of print -- but heavily available via used sellers on Amazon -- so I thought that was a no brainer choice.
As for the rewrite of the Federalist Papers.... When I was in college and first became academically interested in early Americana, my mom gave me a copy of the Federalist Papers. I read some of it but wouldn't understand the significance of the text nor the gesture until I grew a bit older.
Long story short, I usually have a difficult time shopping for my mom's birthday, but this year optioned presented themselves.
As for my dad. He likes economics. He hates socialism. He introduced me to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which I think he liked, in part, because of the visible bra-straps. I've been thinking about The Science of Success -- (one of the) Koch bros' writing about his business philosophy. I've also been thinking about The Politically Incorrect Guide to Socialism. I've also considered Obama books like The Roots of Obama's Rage. Honestly, I'd really love to give him a book about Woodrow Wilson & the roots of progressivism, but I'm not sure which is the best.
As for my sister.... Um.... She's the political black sheep of the family, in that she thinks she in the middle but is actually to the Left. She attended a liberal liberal arts college (where, for example, she says it was a big deal to her friends that my dad hunts). She thinks Palin is full of lies. She likes NPR. She lives in Iowa. She likes to rent pulp murder mystery audiobooks from the library. I've been considering giving her Atlas Shrugged. I've also been considering whether or not this would be an offensive present. I'm not sure how socialist-leaning she is. I know she teaches at a college and most of her friends are professors. She lives in the Iowa equivalent of Madison, and many of my friends consider Ayn Rand offensive. Thus, I worry. I dunno. Other than that, I have no ideas for her. Yet.
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