Month: January 2015

Book ReviewsLeave a comment

Review of ‘America in Retreat: The New Isolationism and the Coming Global Disorder’ by Bret Stephens

georgepwood

 Bret Stephens, America in Retreat: The New Isolationism and the Coming Global Disorder (New York: Sentinel, 2014). Hardcover | Kindle Should America walk the beat as the world’s policeman? Many Americans on both sides of the political aisle think not. For example, President Barack Obama, a Democrat, flatly states, “We should not be the world’s policeman.” Similarly, Senator Rand Paul, a Republican, avers: “America’s mission should always be to keep the peace, not police the world.” After more than a decade of war in Afghanistan and Iraq, the sentiment is understandable. Understandable, Bret Stephens argues in his new book, America … Continue reading Review of ‘America in Retreat: The New Isolationism and the Coming Global Disorder’ by Bret Stephens

Ecclesiastes, The Daily Word1 Comment

In the Long-Term Long Run (Ecclesiastes 2:12–17)

georgepwood

There are moments in reading Ecclesiastes when I would like to wring the Preacher’s neck, such as when I read today’s passage (2:12–17).[1] Here is a man who has just confessed to having everything most men want: pleasure, wealth, achievement, fame, and women. And yet, he is still not satisfied. He mopes about with a long face, wearily proclaiming, “All is vanity and a striving after wind.” “Come on, Preacher,” I want to scream; “get over it already!” After all, it seems to me, life—while not perfect—can be pretty good. Think before you act, do the right thing, treat others … Continue reading In the Long-Term Long Run (Ecclesiastes 2:12–17)

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Vanity at Fashion Island (Ecclesiastes 2:1–11)

georgepwood

When I’m on vacation in California, I like to while away the hours at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Not because of the fashion, mind you; I cannot afford the clothes most of the stores sell. No, I like to grab a Venti Chai Latte from Starbucks followed by book browsing at Barnes and Noble and lunch at La Salsa, capped off with a movie at the Big Edwards, which advertises itself “the largest screen west of the Mississippi.” If I am able to do all that when I visit California, I consider the trip to be a huge success. … Continue reading Vanity at Fashion Island (Ecclesiastes 2:1–11)

Ecclesiastes, The Daily Word1 Comment

Toward a Solution From Beyond the Heavens (Ecclesiastes 1:12–18)

georgepwood

I studied philosophy in college. Whenever people asked me why I had chosen that discipline as my major field of study, I replied with three words: “To think clearly.” Thinking clearly, it seemed to me, was an obviously good activity. After all, what was the alternative? Muddy thinking? Fuzzy logic? Of course not! But thinking clearly was not an end in itself; rather, it was a means to another end, namely, living well. Philosophy, you see, is literally “the love of wisdom,” and wisdom is a practical science, a morally serious thoughtfulness that guides a person’s thoughts, feelings, and actions. … Continue reading Toward a Solution From Beyond the Heavens (Ecclesiastes 1:12–18)

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Poof! Poof! Everything Goes Poof. (Ecclesiastes 1:2–11)

georgepwood

One of Ronald Reagan’s favorite jokes concerned twin boys, one an incurable pessimist and the other an indefatigable optimist. Trying to determine the cause of their respective outlooks on life, a psychologist placed the pessimistic boy in a room full of toys and the optimistic boy in a room filled with horse manure. True to form, the pessimistic boy began to whine because his favorite toy was not among the toys in the room. The optimistic boy, on the other hand, climbed atop the manure pile and began to burrow furiously in the mound. “With all this poop,” he exclaimed, … Continue reading Poof! Poof! Everything Goes Poof. (Ecclesiastes 1:2–11)

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Vanity of Vanities (Ecclesiastes 1:1–2)

georgepwood

If you were a highly successful individual, what advice would you give others to help them achieve the good life? Walk the aisles of your local bookstore, scan its shelves, and you will discover book after book offering answers to that question. They reveal the seven habits of highly effective people, how to win friends and influence people, the secrets of finding the love you want and keeping the love you find, not to mention how to think and grow rich. Each one is written by an effective, friendly author who has been lucky in love. And if the author … Continue reading Vanity of Vanities (Ecclesiastes 1:1–2)