TJEd discussion
Favorite Classics
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1 - "The Chosen" - My father is not in my life and I could strongly relate to Danny's plight. I was inspired to continue the path I had already chosen that was not what my father wanted for me, but was what I felt inspired to do. I often cried through this book, so it was also cleansing for me.2 - "Jane Eyre" - It is such a moving story of a woman overcoming desperate situations. I have always wanted to read it but never got up the guts. For some reason I thought it would be over my head, but it was right on for me.
3 - "The 5,000 Year Leap" - This book put me on the path to learn more about our government and what it is doing. Most of all, it opened my mind to study the documents that our country is based on.
hmmm....so many books... lol...1. Jane Eyre..... I was really inspired by this book.... it was a good reminder and example of how if one has faith... and holds on.. one can overcome sometimes seemingly impossible odds....
2. Alas Babylon.....I really enjoyed this book as I am very much into being prepared... food storage and such... and found many of the things in this story very insightful and helpful in making me think...hmmmmm would I be prepared for that... could I do that.... and so forth.... plus it was just a great story. =)
3. Lonesome Gods.... This story was inspiring to me in the fact that Johannes went against what others thought should be done or happen.... He did what was right.. and he never gave up. In my life there are many factors of family members who are against things we do... being LDS, Home schooling... living in the RV.. whatever.... but yet we know we are doing what is right and good for us.... this was a story I could relate to... fighting against all odds... and coming out on top....I know that I will have my happy ending and it will all be right... =)
I know you only asked for 3.. but I also really liked little britches... and how the family pulled together and worked together at everything they did to be successful in life. Thats how I want my family to be... striving for the better/more together.
Wow, this has really started me thinking . . .1. The Joy Luck Club - I know this isn't on any list of leadership education, but I can trace my leadership education to this book. While reading this book, I discovered that China was involved in WWII! I never knew that! I realized that all 13 years of public school, and 3 years of college taught me nothing about Asian history. So I set out to change that. I read all of Amy Tan's books, which led me to Pearl Buck, which led me to Jung Chang. This book changed the course of my life, so to me it is a classic.
2. The Fourth Turning - This book helped me see history in a new way. All history, the history of the people on Earth, and the history of my family. I was amazed to see my mother so well described in the section about the Silent Generation (Artist), which led me to understand why I was raised the way I was (Nomad - 13er). It helped heal that relationship a little bit, and I am very grateful for that.
3. Atlas Shrugged - I have always had a picture in my mind of what communism is. I'm sure this picture came from public school textbooks mixed with my imagination. Atlas Shrugged shattered that picture. Never, in my wildest imagination did I think that anyone would choose communism over freedom. I always thought that communism was forced onto the people with an iron fist. I now know that once the people chose communism that it was held over them with a gun, but first it had to be embraced, accepted , and longed for! I also thought that it was an all-at-once kind of thing, not chosen bit by bit by the people. I am probably not explaining this well - those mental pictures are hard to describe. But through Ayn Rand's description I understand better and am more aware.
What an amazing thing this leadership path is - I have read books I had never heard of before, and am being inspired by people I would never have thought I would be inspired by. I also just finished "Three Cups of Tea", and it has really motivated me to find my mission and get going already!! :D Thank you for starting this thread!
Awesome discussion, everyone! I still feel like I am so new in my TJEd journey. I guess that's a good thing! :0)The first book that I would choose, which has had the most impact on my life and my path toward a Leadership Education, would have to be The Chosen by Potok. I too, have struggled in my relationship with my Dad. As I read this book, I felt empathy for the characters and because books become like a good friend to me, I felt that those characters had empathy for me, and the situation that exists between my dad and I. I especially loved the role that Reuven's father played, in recommending books for Danny to read, and in helping to inspire him. He was there for him, when his father wasn't. I also cried at the end, when I realized that Danny was likely going to choose to raise his son in silence. That was a bittersweet moment for me. It is sweet, because on some level he now understands where his father was coming from, but it was bitter to think that another child will be raised with that same silence that was so puzzling and distant for Danny.
The second book that I would choose, would be Little Britches by Moody. I LOVE LOVE LOVED this book! I loved the simplicity of life, that was lived in this book. Not that life was easy to live, back then, but that moral and ethical boundaries were so clearly drawn. The simple things mattered...food, shelter, livestock, water, family, good friends, hard work and high ideals. There were no other distractions to take time and thought away from those very important things. Very much like the stories we are reading as a family right now, from The Little House on the Prairie series, children were expected to mind, chores were expected to be done and people were expected to keep their word. This book has inspired me to want to have animals for our family to take care of, someday. It has inspired me to work very hard to uphold the values that our family is founded upon. I especially love that at the end of the book, you can see how Ralph steps into his father's role for the family, and what an honor that must be for him.
The last book I would choose, would be Lonesome Gods by L'Amour. I had a hard time getting into this story, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. I just love the whole idea of taking pearls of wisdom from your father...maybe because I haven't had that experience in my own life. I love that Johannes listened so intently to everything his father said, and that he learned so much from him. There is such a beautiful display, of a love for the earth and land one lives on, in this book. Almost a reverence for one's surroundings. I love the thought of being in tune with our surroundings, and also of having respect for those who have gone before us. Throughout the story, Johannes says "I am Johannes Verne, and I am not afraid." I love how he continually learns courage through the trials that come to him.
I wish that I had read more so far, but sadly these are really the only books that I have finished so far in my own Leadership Education experience. But I am up to the challenge of following the principles found in A Thomas Jefferson Education. I am excited each moment that I get to read, and I am excited at the love my children are gaining for books, because they see Pete and I reading them! Happy reading, everyone! I am off to make lunch, put little ones down for a nap, and start reading Little Women. :0)
The first two I'm throwing in are totally different from everyone else. I've always been a reader (was a lit major for a while in college). My studies are so much different now than they were then, but I feel like my classics are such because they really help me become more me. In light of that, here are a few in that category.1. Madeline L'Engle's "Circle of Quiet" - My husband read this first, and was almost immediately telling me I would love it. Man, he knows me well. :) It is about herself as a writer and coming into that, but so much more. I took more notes on and in this book than probably any other book I've read. One I'll revisit over and over. I've got a lot to learn from her. Quick quote from the book: "A great piece of literature does not try to coerce you to believe it or agree with it. A great piece of literature simply is" (p. 201). This book is.
2. "The Element" by Ken Robinson - This one speaks to me personally on seeing how to discover (or affirm) my own Element(s). It also speaks to me as a parent and youth leader in helping my kids and others to discover theirs. I found that this affirms TJEd, encouraging people to discover and enjoy their interests and talents. I love the discussions in this on finding a "tribe," especially since the more I get to know other homeschooling moms (especially TJEd moms), the more I see them discovering and following their own Element. That also reiterates the need to help my kids find a tribe that encourages and inspires them as well. Many many other lessons in here.
3. "Little Women" - I want to be Mrs. March. 'Nuff said.
What are the 3 books that have made the most impact on your life since you started your Leadership Education Pursuit? Why?
Here's mine:
1). "Jane Eyre". This was the first real piece of literature that I read after learning about leadership education. I was surprised to find that I could understand it too! It was a beautiful read that inspired me to seek personal greatness.
2). "Les Miserables". So many messages, so many layers. This is one to read and reread.
3). "A Tale of Two Cities". When I finished this one I remember thinking, "This is important. This book will have impact in my life if I allow it too."
Please share your thoughts. A testimonial per se.