The Abolitionist Imagination (The Alexis de Tocqueville Lectures on American Politics), by Andrew Delbanco:
When is the demand for purifying action honorable, and when it is fanatic and irresponsible? Many activists and reformers have often been labeled as fanatics before they became famous for enacting social reform. The story of the historic abolitionists is fascinating as an example of one of the early, modern human rights crusades and provides a great background for learning to engage in current conversations and action.
The Global War on Christians: Dispatches from the Front Lines of Anti-Christian Persecution
, by John Allen Jr.: According to the secular International Society for Human Rights, 80% of violations of religious freedom in the world today are directed against Christians. As Christians in America we might hear stories of religious persecution but we don’t know what to do about it and are often able to insulate ourselves from it. This book is a great resource for understanding what Christians outside of our American culture wars deal with and allows us to pray and stand in solidarity with them.
Governing the World: The History of an Idea, 1815 to the Present
, by Mark Mazower: My favorite subject is history and as a history lover this book provides an interesting look at how the idea of power, dominance and governance has evolved and how the dynamics shape our current world.
The Great Debate: Edmund Burke, Thomas Paine, and the Birth of Right and Left
, by Yuval Levin: Have you ever wondered about the history of our two current political parties and how we got where we are today? In this book Levin looks as the original debates between Edmund Burke and Thomas Paine, 2 people who embodied the ideas of the right and left, and traces the effect that has on our current political climate. This is a fascinating read about the roots of progressives and conservatives and what it means for us today.
