time for another attempt at a reading group?

[ulysses]

I'm thinking something very informal, but geared toward helping some of us (yours truly among them) refresh ourselves on the basic ideas behind democracy and the founding of the US - The Federalist Papers, maybe. We could do it in a more structured seminar format (someone starts us off with a question based on the reading and we go from there) if the interest was there, but it certainly wouldn't be necessary.

Anyone? Buehler? Participation from those outside the US would, of course, be most welcome...

[cally]

1. I would like to discuss this

I'm in a bookgroup and I would be interested if it's informal.

[RainDog]

2. Common Sense

I would do a group thingie for Common Sense, by Thomas Paine. there's also a new book out about the pamphlet and its impact upon our country.

I saw a bit of the author on booktv last night. He said that when Paine wrote Common Sense, Congress was divided over whether to remain royalist or not, and Paine's pamphlet was THE document which expressed the will of the people and which marked a turning point in America's decision to declare independence.

Common Sense is available in inexpensive Dover or Penguin editions, too.

[ulysses]

3. I could do Common Sense

Cally, whaddya think?

[cally]

7. I can do common sense

I've read both, but it would be interesting to see how I interpret them now.

[ulysses]

10. cool

Are we all agreed on Paine, then?

[SOteric]

4. Sounds tastey to me.

Would we be thinking to post and share in the Meeting Room, or one of the other slower-moving fora?

I might need a little time to work some of the reading material into my schedule. And actually pondering, reflecting, considering and weighing it might be good, too.

[ulysses]

5. probably the Meeting Room

and yeah, time is good. A week or two between shortish readings?

[SOteric]

6. Oh, I'm sure I could

work in a little reading in that space of time. :7

[ulysses]

8. heh

I know how hard it is for you to make time for a book...:D

[cally]

9. Yeah, I'll read them

I like discussing what I read. To be honest, I get intimidated by the folks who have studied this stuff for years. I like discussion, but I don't want it to turn into a forum that stifles those of us new to discussion of these books. The last time I discussed them, I was 18. I have a different perspective now and a lot to learn.

[ulysses]

11. I haven't cracked this stuff since college

and did a poor job with it then. There shouldn't be any worries about the constitutional scholars amongst us. :D

[MaryBear]

12. Such a reading group might do well

to include a reading of The Anti-Federalists.

[ulysses]

14. true enough

I'd love to see a months-long thing that got into Locke as well. :)

[Cointelpro_Papers]

13. Are new DUers welcome to join too?

[ulysses]

15. of course!

[jonnyblitz]

17. only if you know the secret password..

:crazy:

[ulysses]

16. so...

in my edition, there are 31 pages up to the section titled "Of the present ability of America, with some miscellaneous reflexions". Would that be a good chunk to discuss for next Sunday?

[kaitykaity]

18. Count me in, too.

Maybe we could make up a list of what we all consider
required reading in this cause of ours. By subject,
by author, whichever.

When, where, all of that?

[ulysses]

19. that'd be cool

What does everyone think about the first 31 pages of Common Sense (up to "Of the present ability of America...") with the discussion to start this coming Sunday?

[SOteric]

20. Works for me!

[bicentennial_baby]

21. I'm in!

Put some of this reading to good use!