Books for Winter Evenings

Books for a Winter’s Night 

By Lawrence W. Reed 

Thomas Jefferson once said, “I cannot live without books.” Indeed, he owned about 6,000 of them, which he sold to Congress in 1815.

I know how he felt. My library is roughly the size of his, probably even larger by about a thousand. I haven’t yet figured out where they should go when I’m gone, but I’m pretty sure Congress won’t buy them. As long as they remain in my possession, I will read and read and read them again and recommend some of the best of them to you. Here are a few to get you through the winter:

Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend by Larry Tye. The great baseball player Satchel Paige, hero of both the Negro Leagues and the integrated Major Leagues, deserves to be remembered for his talent, humor, and integrity.

Lions and Scavengers: The True Story of America by Ben Shapiro. It was largely the makers and not the takers, the lions and not the scavengers, that transformed a wilderness into a powerhouse of freedom and opportunity. On the eve of America’s 250th, refresh yourself with that incredible story.

School Choice Around the World…And the Lessons We Can Learn by Pauline Dixon and Steve Humble. Americans will be surprised to learn that one reason the quality of education here is in a sad decline is that so many other countries employ more parental choice than we do.

Path Lit By Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe by David Maraniss. Perhaps the greatest athlete in American history, Jim Thorpe displayed his remarkable talents across multiple sports.

The American Miracle by Michael Medved. An excellent book to prepare you for celebrating America’s 250th in the coming year. It’s hard to argue that our founding and subsequent success were mere accidents of history.

Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments by Joe Posnanski. Every chapter recounts a moment that will bring smiles and memories to the fore, whether you are a baseball fan or not.

Peak Human: What We Can Learn From History’s Greatest Civilizations by Johan Norberg. From Athens to Rome to London, Amsterdam and beyond, the author distills the most important lessons needed for our society to survive and flourish.

Wisdom Takes Work: Learn, Apply, Repeat by Ryan Holiday. Common sense brought to life by the most prominent Stoic in America today.

Play Harder: The Triumph of Black Baseball in America by Gerald Early. Yes, I love baseball. Here’s a classic and entertaining account of the days before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier.

The Four-Hour School Day: How You and Your Children Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life by Durenda Wilson. Do your kids a favor by exploring the option of homeschooling. It’s easier than you think, and the results can be more wonderful than anything you can imagine.

Spice: The 16th Century Contest That Shaped the Modern World by Roger Crowley. Nutmeg, cloves, and other exotic spices we now take for granted were once pursued by mighty fleets and their kings and queens.

FDR: A New Political Life by David Beito. The passage of time often allows for the most objective and thorough assessments of well-known figures. You will learn much about Franklin Roosevelt here that you never heard before.

Chasing Value: An Accountant Explores a Key to a Good Life by Simon Studer. This book, with a Foreword from Yours Truly, takes you to the intersection of economics and philosophy, to both the fundamental questions and the very practical aspects of everyday life. Not for the faint-hearted, it will reveal perspectives you have not explored before.

Enjoy many a winter’s evening with a good book in hand. Happy New Year!

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(Lawrence W. Reed, a resident of Newnan, GA, is president emeritus of the Foundation for Economic Education in Atlanta. His most recent book is “Was Jesus a Socialist?” He can be reached at lreed@fee.org.)