I never had the intention of creating a reading list for this blog, I do utilize them when I am looking to read more about a given subject. However, given the current milieu of political and societal upheaval and cultural unraveling, I thought it may be helpful to offer a list of books that should be required reading. The Western world is standing on the edge of total collapse. Watching the unfolding events of 2020 reveals much about the post-Christian condition which I wrote about here and spoke about here.
There are books that everyone need to read in hope of enlightening oneself on the horrors of the 20th century, and aware of where the world as we know it is heading, perhaps we can stave off the paradigm shift.
This list is in no way exhaustive, there are several books that didn’t make it on here. In the future I may generate more content around the topics discussed in these books and others, if the need arises. My hope is to stay clear of current politics and discuss the philosophical ideas that undergird the events that led to totalitarianism in the past, and how these are the heavy boot on the accelerator of “history.”
The Gulag Archipelago
This one is an obvious choice. Alexander Solzhenitsyn penned his three volume magnum opus from his experience in the Soviet gulags. Prior to his incarceration, he served in the Soviet Army, and was eventually arrested for his criticisms of Soviet Russia. A truly heart-rending and eye-opening book on how cruel humans can be towards other humans, and just how implacable the human spirit can be when faced with living a life worse than death, when starvation, sleeplessness, torture and barbed-wire defines your non-existing existence.
If the three volume work is too much to digest, there is an abridged version that is worth reading, which I highly recommend. Solzhenitsyn also gave several historic speeches that can be found on Youtube and in print format in the book titled Warning to the West.
The Origins of Totalitarianism
Hannah Arendt was born a Jew in Germany, and she studied under the great minds of her day, Martin Heidegger being one of them, before emigrating to the United States in 1941. In this book, she details the rise of totalitarianism in its two fully realized forms: Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia. She starts with an historico-cultural analysis of antisemitism and how it fueled modern imperialism which gave birth to totalitarianism.
Arendt is immensely important to read in our current political climate. There are parallels between Weimar German and pre-revolutionary Russia, so much so, it is unsettling. The problem is that many Americans fail to see this, and the ones that do tend to point away from their political affiliation with an ominous sense that the other political side is a foreshadowing of the evils that that side can one day become. We’ve all heard this.
Much like The Gulag Archipelago this book can be quiet a bit to digest, albeit it is not as tome-ish. The Portable Hannah Arendt is a good place to start, which is where I started, because it provides large excerpts from several of her books. There is also a good unabridged audiobook version.
1984
A book list about dangerous ideologies is never complete without George Orwell’s 1984. It’s been read by many, and if you haven’t read it, start with this book and then read the others on the list. This book is often included within a quadrilogy of books that include Animal Farm, A Brave New World, and Fahrenheit 451. All of these are worth reading, but 1984 is the best place to start.
The ideas of New Speak and thoughtcrime are eerily similar to political correctness and the consequences, therefrom, of saying anything that doesn’t conform to the dominate narrative.
Reflections of a Russian Statesman
I almost didn’t include this book because Konstantin Pobedonostsev can, by today’s standards, seem intolerant. However, he was an advisor to no less than three Tsars during the twilight years of the Romanov dynasty. He witnessed first hand the pernicious doctrines of Marxism and the destruction it unleashed on Russia. For those of you who are monarchists, this is also a worthy read.
Father Arseny, 1893-1973: Prisoner, Priest and Spiritual Father
This book is written as more of an hagiographical account than a biography per se. Similar to Solzhenitsyn, Father Arseny was imprisoned in the dehumanizing Soviet prison system. This is the account of his life as he acted as a priest and spiritual father to many in the camp. It is a remarkable story that shows the ugliness of prison life, yet offers hope that it is possible to retain your humanity and be a light in a dark place.
Concluding Thoughts
In an age such as ours, it is important to be informed. As said previously, this list is not exhaustive, there are few books that didn’t make the cut. But one needs to start reading somewhere. We live in a time that is reshaping what it means to be human. The Christian narrative is seen as suspect. The Church is one institution among many that needs toppling. We as Orthodox Christians need to stand strong and bear witness to our past, that we’ve survived this before and, by the grace of God, we will survive again.
