On this Mega Monday, here are two Christmas present suggestions from our own Nick Thornsby.
The letters of Arthur Schlesinger Jr.
Edited by his two sons, this collection of Arthur Schlesinger’s letters gives a fascinating insight into many of the key events in 20th century American history. And unlike most historians, Schlesinger often found himself mixed up in those events, particularly where they involved the Democratic party. He famously spent time working as an adviser in the JFK White House, so there is interesting material from before, during and after his time there. But there is much more, with correspondence from people as varied as Groucho Marx and Hubert Humphrey. It is not a book you’re likely to read from cover to cover in one sitting, but there is much there of interest and it’s worth having on the coffee table over the Christmas break.
It was only recently that I read Scoop for the first time, and it is certainly a classic for a reason. Waugh’s satirical take on the excesses and shortcomings of Fleet Street are a useful reminder (not that we need it) of the dangers of lazy, uncritical journalism, but by showing the trade at its worst Waugh reminds us what it can be at its best. It is also very, very funny.
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