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<DIV>A fascinating glimpse into conservative thought. And the questions it raises . . . not just about what drove individual choices, although of course that's a matter of amused speculation, but ranging fairly far afield.</DIV>
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<DIV>How many of the judges do you suppose had actually read all ten of the books on the list--not to mention the extras? </DIV>
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<DIV>I'll 'fess up; I've read only 6 of the top 10. On your honor, has anybody read all of LeComte (as opposed to excerpts)? *All* of the Kinsey Report? If we can count extensive chunks I fare a little better--8 out of the top 10, and 12 of the honorable mentions. But that's still not very impressive. I'm embarrassed to say that I've never even cracked the spine (or seen it, come to that) of Herbert Croly's *The Promise of American Life.* And although I'm a Fabian by inclination, I missed the Webb's *Soviet Communism* too. Guess I'd better make up that summer reading list.</DIV>
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<DIV>Some truly incendiary books didn't make the list: Margaret Sanger's *Motherhood in Bondage,* for example. Peter Singer's *Animal Liberation.* Rushdoony's *Institutes of Biblical Law.* (okay, maybe not that one). I can imagine some folks making a case for the documents of the Second Vatican Council, even.</DIV>
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<DIV>No fiction made the list at all . . . although I suspect that fiction (particularly if you add film/radio/television fiction) is much, much more powerful in shaping people's world views than works of philosophy or political economy.</DIV>
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<DIV>On the other hand, what pleasant company in which to loiter--people who object to Mill's *On Liberty,* for heaven's sake, and who've taken the trouble to find out about the politics of Betty Friedan's boyfriends. Under the circumstances, I suppose it's a relief to find *Mein Kampf* at #2. </DIV>
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<DIV>I wonder if they'll do a counterpart listing the ten most helpful books? I'd love to see that, too.</DIV>
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<DIV>Melynda Huskey</DIV>
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