Brian Kovesci
https://www.goodreads.com/thekovesciman
to-read
(6)
currently-reading (0)
read (1358)
did-not-finish (0)
fiction (404)
memoir (182)
design (104)
essays (94)
art (84)
young-adult (69)
history (67)
music (57)
currently-reading (0)
read (1358)
did-not-finish (0)
fiction (404)
memoir (182)
design (104)
essays (94)
art (84)
young-adult (69)
history (67)
music (57)
graphic-novel
(56)
need-a-copy (52)
social-science (48)
short-stories (46)
time-s-100-best (46)
gender-sexuality (33)
science (31)
biography (26)
business (26)
philosophy (23)
architecture (22)
humor (22)
need-a-copy (52)
social-science (48)
short-stories (46)
time-s-100-best (46)
gender-sexuality (33)
science (31)
biography (26)
business (26)
philosophy (23)
architecture (22)
humor (22)
“[...] In a country where values are collapsing, patriotism becomes the handmaiden to totalitarianism. The country becomes the religion. We are asked to live in a state of religious fervor: Love America! Love it because America has become a substitute for religion. But to love your country indiscriminately means that critical distinctions begin to go. And democracy depends upon these distinctions.
A good Englishman has a certain sense of the complexity of his national life. Even if he rides to hounds. The British have memory in a way we don't. That is the scariest single thing about American democracy to me: We don't have roots the way other countries do. Relatively, we are without deep traditions. So the transition from democracy to totalitarianism could happen quickly.”
― Why are We at War?
A good Englishman has a certain sense of the complexity of his national life. Even if he rides to hounds. The British have memory in a way we don't. That is the scariest single thing about American democracy to me: We don't have roots the way other countries do. Relatively, we are without deep traditions. So the transition from democracy to totalitarianism could happen quickly.”
― Why are We at War?
“So often, a visit to a bookshop has cheered me, and reminded me that there are good things in the world.”
―
―
“I often get inspiration from literature and art, as well as from simply keeping my eyes open as I walk along the street. Talent alone won't get you far in this profession because there are too many other factors involved. You have to be fully aware of what is going on in the world at large, not just in the design world. And street culture is just as important as high culture. We don't have to be artists or architects ourselves to get inspiration from those disciplines.”
―
―
“Here will I stand till Caesar pass along,
And as a suitor will I give him this.
My heart laments the virtue cannot live
Out of the teeth of emulation.
If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayest live;
If not, the fates with traitors do contrive.”
―
And as a suitor will I give him this.
My heart laments the virtue cannot live
Out of the teeth of emulation.
If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayest live;
If not, the fates with traitors do contrive.”
―
Brian’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Brian’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
More friends…
Favorite Genres
Polls voted on by Brian
Lists liked by Brian












