Gustave Doré Macbeth seeing the ghost of Kings

Just some names of folks I'll be teaching and am already re-reading: Augustine, Beowulf poet, Thomas Malory, Dante, Mary Shelley, Goethe, Dostoevsky, Chesterton. Fun stuff. Deep stuff. Actually, fun and deep!

Philosophy is a must for literature students and literature teachers. In fact, early philosophy included literary criticism.

Do you own multiple copies of the same book so that when you write in them, you're tracking different themes. I do. But only in paperback versions.

It is often said Hamlet is Shakespeare’s most modern play. But Macbeth is also very modern. Macbeth’s monologue in Act 1 as he contemplates murder and thinks about judgement, time, innocence, and the need for swift action are all incredibly profound and prescient.

Pleasure reading is great. Deep reading is better. The joy of teaching and writing is found in deep reading. That includes a lot of people. Especially Shakespeare.

Discovering the joy of writing is a special gift. Write with another. A friend. A companion. In fact, writing poems with another is a great way to start finding the joy of writing.

What did Eric Voegelin really mean when he spoke of Gnosticism? It was a spiritual condition in the heart of human nature: a restlessness of the soul and contempt for historical existence. My essay VoegelinView introduces Voegelin's thought to readers. voegelinview.com/confronting-th…

Hit jackpot today. Modern Library editions designed by R. D. Scudellari & several with woodcuts by Stephen Alcorn. These books are 35 to 40 years old in new condition (the 80s). These minimalist designed jackets in block letters are considered collectible by many.

"The years passed and the East Wind blew. Even the ruins fell into ruin—tired playthings of Time and the thunder and rain."

Enjoy a new poem by Leonard Lambert, "Memory Lane." Memory Lane is where I live, it’s my home, but you’ll never find me there... voegelinview.com/memory-lane-po…

How did you first encounter Xenophon? Amazing guy, exceptional reading. Inspirational too. Especially for someone interested in writing historical fiction.

The superiority of political philosophy to the emptiness of modern political “science” relates to the study and knowledge of human nature. Political philosophy premises itself with the study of human nature to understand political order and society. This matters.

Want to discover Shakespeare the political philosopher, theorist, and prophet? Read Hamlet, Macbeth, and Richard III. A lot of great stuff in these plays: tyranny, murder, Machiavellian ambition, injustice, and, of course, the restoration of order, justice, and goodness.

Manfred on the Jungfrau. Read some Lord Byron.

Teaching literature alongside philosophy is awesome. In part, because you can share with students philosophy, philosophical perspectives, and interpretations, within the literary stories being read. Many students find it fascinating and engaging, indeed, very helpful.

Did you read any poetry today? I'll start: Virgil's Eclogues.

It’s a dangerous business going out your door.

One powerful read that can change any life: Read.