I really enjoyed reading this—learned a ton—thank you. And what you described about reading aloud with your partner at the time sounds awesome—such an awesome way to learn about some of each other’s favorite books. And thanks for mentioning that podcast—I am definitely going to explore that one.
And I imagine that you likely already know this but if not,… Niall’s book was adapted into a 3-part series on pbs and kind of randomly, I was fortunate to attend a lecture/partial screening event on campus/@ Hoover just before release—if I recall the timing correctly it was just prior to the pandemic lockdown (~March 2020), maybe in Jan/Feb. What I saw of the program that evening really did capture my attention and what I distinctly remember thinking to myself is that I would actually enjoy watching more of the series but honestly, I then forgot about it until reading your piece here. It is time for a revisit/deep dive—thank you for this reminder. He, Fergie, as you endearingly called him, is indeed a great writer (as is his wife, Ayaan Hirsi Ali) and a prolific one, too—I do not know how he does it (well, he is known to have a team of researchers/staff, I believe, so that might help in some meaningful way re the fact gathering efforts etc.), but I just do not know how he covers such a range and depth, similar to your approach here in your newsletters—really enjoy that (range and depth) and your writing style and good humor. Also, I had an idea about the meaning of pellucidation, but had to look it up to know for sure, so genuinely, thank you for the rich language and learning ops. throughout your pieces overall. Very good stuff indeed. 🙏🤓🧐🤔
[Apologies for this eyesore of a link—not sure how to embed/cloak/tighten that in the context of this comment, so this one is allowed to breathe and fully express itself. ✨]
Yeah I originally had "pellucid elucidation" but then decided that "pellucidation" should be a word if it's not already so I'm makin' it one.
So cool about your connections to Ferguson's work! Thanks for telling me about the PBS series; I didn't know about that. I am a great admirer of Ayaan's human rights work and have read one of her books.
Let me know what you think of that podcast. Even if you don't agree with every word, or even any of them, I think it's worth giving a few episodes a listen.
I thoroughly enjoyed Ferguson´s The Ascent of Money and the War of the World so early bought this book but surprisingly found that I could not get past the first chapters. I would have expected him to lay out some form of clear thesis in the introduction but, just like you, I never got past that dinner party sketch. It felt like he was no longer on the outside casting a cold objective gaze on society and its history but was now part of the celebrated in-crowd. Perhaps I will try and pick it back up again thanks to your review. He is great in podcasts by the way.
This is actually very helpful; perhaps I should read one of those others you cite. I agree about the podcasts; I dug him on Sam Harris but I thought Tyler really brought out his more charming and comical side!
I will check that one out - also, I would start with the ascent of Money - for me it was a really thought-provoking and interesting read. Some of the ideas he discusses have stuck with me even years after reading it.
I really enjoyed reading this—learned a ton—thank you. And what you described about reading aloud with your partner at the time sounds awesome—such an awesome way to learn about some of each other’s favorite books. And thanks for mentioning that podcast—I am definitely going to explore that one.
And I imagine that you likely already know this but if not,… Niall’s book was adapted into a 3-part series on pbs and kind of randomly, I was fortunate to attend a lecture/partial screening event on campus/@ Hoover just before release—if I recall the timing correctly it was just prior to the pandemic lockdown (~March 2020), maybe in Jan/Feb. What I saw of the program that evening really did capture my attention and what I distinctly remember thinking to myself is that I would actually enjoy watching more of the series but honestly, I then forgot about it until reading your piece here. It is time for a revisit/deep dive—thank you for this reminder. He, Fergie, as you endearingly called him, is indeed a great writer (as is his wife, Ayaan Hirsi Ali) and a prolific one, too—I do not know how he does it (well, he is known to have a team of researchers/staff, I believe, so that might help in some meaningful way re the fact gathering efforts etc.), but I just do not know how he covers such a range and depth, similar to your approach here in your newsletters—really enjoy that (range and depth) and your writing style and good humor. Also, I had an idea about the meaning of pellucidation, but had to look it up to know for sure, so genuinely, thank you for the rich language and learning ops. throughout your pieces overall. Very good stuff indeed. 🙏🤓🧐🤔
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/networld/niall-fergusons-networld-about/#:~:text=Historian%20and%20author%20Niall%20Ferguson%20%28International%20Emmy-winning%20The,local%20listings%29%2C%20pbs.org%20and%20the%20PBS%20Video%20app.
[Apologies for this eyesore of a link—not sure how to embed/cloak/tighten that in the context of this comment, so this one is allowed to breathe and fully express itself. ✨]
Yeah I originally had "pellucid elucidation" but then decided that "pellucidation" should be a word if it's not already so I'm makin' it one.
So cool about your connections to Ferguson's work! Thanks for telling me about the PBS series; I didn't know about that. I am a great admirer of Ayaan's human rights work and have read one of her books.
Let me know what you think of that podcast. Even if you don't agree with every word, or even any of them, I think it's worth giving a few episodes a listen.
Will do, re the podcast. 🤓
I thoroughly enjoyed Ferguson´s The Ascent of Money and the War of the World so early bought this book but surprisingly found that I could not get past the first chapters. I would have expected him to lay out some form of clear thesis in the introduction but, just like you, I never got past that dinner party sketch. It felt like he was no longer on the outside casting a cold objective gaze on society and its history but was now part of the celebrated in-crowd. Perhaps I will try and pick it back up again thanks to your review. He is great in podcasts by the way.
This is actually very helpful; perhaps I should read one of those others you cite. I agree about the podcasts; I dug him on Sam Harris but I thought Tyler really brought out his more charming and comical side!
I will check that one out - also, I would start with the ascent of Money - for me it was a really thought-provoking and interesting read. Some of the ideas he discusses have stuck with me even years after reading it.