Got the book with the intention of giving it to my daughter and son-in-law (I read it first) for their 13 year old son. She has it now and promised both parents would read it.
Compliments to the Smiths for their decision, and for how they followed through with it. I am very hopeful my grandson will experience the same education -- er, preparation.
The problem with humanity in general is the tendency to gather into cities. When too many people gather together in one area, bad idea are magnified and tolerated until they are accepted as good ideas. Colleges are the same sort of gathering of bad ideas.
God had the right idea, every so often the inhabitants of cities require a shower of sulfur, or burning hail.
The STOIC imperative holds," Concentrate on the matter in hand and see it for what it is"
The concept of a private expansive education is excellent and harks back to the education given to the best emperors Rome ever had, ethics, balance, community service.
A question which arises from all this, is for whom is this wonderful education possible?(and it is wonderful!)
It would seem ideal for that rarified segment of society which has high capital backing and where the parents who have worked hard to develop this capital are concerned about the shirtsleeve to shirtsleeve fate which is a constant outcome with generational wealth.
And yet for every such example of dissolute action there is the positive where the wealth has been used in very good ways to assist society.
Certainly a balanced education has always been the goal of the engine room of society, the middle class following the principle of "a healthy mind and a healthy body". However, with limited resource, there are tracks that have to be followed in the case of the middle class where the workings of "THE PREPARATION" are not readily available either from the economic perspective or the logistic.
Even here, however, the concept can be scaled down in scope and the principles adopted.
Great discussion about a fantastic book, with a guest who couldn’t be more impressive. Here’s another review of “The Preparation”, a work everyone should read:
Got the book with the intention of giving it to my daughter and son-in-law (I read it first) for their 13 year old son. She has it now and promised both parents would read it.
Compliments to the Smiths for their decision, and for how they followed through with it. I am very hopeful my grandson will experience the same education -- er, preparation.
Ditto.
wish i had access to it at that age.
will have all my grandchildren read it.
The problem with humanity in general is the tendency to gather into cities. When too many people gather together in one area, bad idea are magnified and tolerated until they are accepted as good ideas. Colleges are the same sort of gathering of bad ideas.
God had the right idea, every so often the inhabitants of cities require a shower of sulfur, or burning hail.
Your author might add a little more time on the farm as most kids who grow up on a family farm cover half of his topics by age 12.
COMMENT
The STOIC imperative holds," Concentrate on the matter in hand and see it for what it is"
The concept of a private expansive education is excellent and harks back to the education given to the best emperors Rome ever had, ethics, balance, community service.
A question which arises from all this, is for whom is this wonderful education possible?(and it is wonderful!)
It would seem ideal for that rarified segment of society which has high capital backing and where the parents who have worked hard to develop this capital are concerned about the shirtsleeve to shirtsleeve fate which is a constant outcome with generational wealth.
And yet for every such example of dissolute action there is the positive where the wealth has been used in very good ways to assist society.
Certainly a balanced education has always been the goal of the engine room of society, the middle class following the principle of "a healthy mind and a healthy body". However, with limited resource, there are tracks that have to be followed in the case of the middle class where the workings of "THE PREPARATION" are not readily available either from the economic perspective or the logistic.
Even here, however, the concept can be scaled down in scope and the principles adopted.
Good advice I could have used around 2002. Gonna get a copy for the grand daughter.
All asados are good....as my Dad use to say about apple pie. "It's probably the best one we will have today!":)
Hi Joel, is this required reading for a trip to Patagonia?
"The Whispering Land by Gerald Durrell
A charming and humorous account of Durrell’s wildlife expedition through Argentina including his time in the windswept landscapes of Patagonia."
I read it years ago but remember something about drinking with the gauchos at an asado?
Have a safe trip mate!
Great discussion about a fantastic book, with a guest who couldn’t be more impressive. Here’s another review of “The Preparation”, a work everyone should read:
https://jdbreen.substack.com/p/the-preparation-002