Ooh, interesting article. I now know about 95% more about Helen Keller than I did before.
(Kropotkin is very interesting, too. He was a scientist, and among other things wrote a book about altruism in the animal world. He was also a socialist anarchist and against the Russian revolution from the start. Also, there's a lot of insight in Russian history in the book.)
Of course, I do realize that your to-read list is probably as long as mine, so I will stop now. : )
I now know about 95% more about Helen Keller than I did before.
Which is also 95% more than MOST people know about her, so don't feel bad. It's like there's a bunch of people saying, shh, don't let on she was an EBIL SOSHALIST. Which, who knows, maybe there are.
Helen's been a hero of mine since long, long before I knew what politics was, let alone in which direction she leaned. What draws me to her is her fierce dedication to help the poor and the blind and the oppressed workers (not to mention her being a bloody genius). And yeah, I guess that's political, but I didn't know that back when I was, oh, seven. ♥♥
Of course, I do realize that your to-read list is probably as long as mine, so I will stop now.
Yeah, but I've added Kropotkin to the list anyway. ;)
Which is also 95% more than MOST people know about her, so don't feel bad.
Probably not being American is also a factor...I mean, American history is not as familiar to me as the Swedish one.
Yeah, but I've added Kropotkin to the list anyway. ;)
Oh yeah, I never gave you the title: it's Memoirs of a Revolutionist. I, um, kind of got stuck re-reading a bit in it now, and on the subject of altruism he's kind of the polar opposite of Rand. Also, he reminds me a little bit of Fraser (although Fraser could never grow a beard that size). His parents were aristocrats, and he was educated as a military officer. When he's done with the school, he declares he'll go to some regiment in Siberia, where it's cold and poor, and try to do some good there. And one of his classmates goes "But how can you do that! Their uniform is so ugly!". Hee.
Seriously, damn few Americans know much about her. When she's taught in schools, they kind of leave out her adult life and stop with the Patty Duke scene at the water pump. Or, if they do mention it, they talk about how she "helped the blind" and "visited injured soldiers". Nada about her being a suffragist or pro-birth control or an active member of the IWW.
Will definitely be reading Memoirs. *adds to long but way fun list*
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Date: 2009-09-15 06:01 pm (UTC): )
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Date: 2009-09-15 06:09 pm (UTC)And of course, Helen Keller, always, always. :D
(no subject)
Date: 2009-09-15 06:27 pm (UTC)(Kropotkin is very interesting, too. He was a scientist, and among other things wrote a book about altruism in the animal world. He was also a socialist anarchist and against the Russian revolution from the start. Also, there's a lot of insight in Russian history in the book.)
Of course, I do realize that your to-read list is probably as long as mine, so I will stop now. : )
(no subject)
Date: 2009-09-15 11:20 pm (UTC)Which is also 95% more than MOST people know about her, so don't feel bad. It's like there's a bunch of people saying, shh, don't let on she was an EBIL SOSHALIST. Which, who knows, maybe there are.
Helen's been a hero of mine since long, long before I knew what politics was, let alone in which direction she leaned. What draws me to her is her fierce dedication to help the poor and the blind and the oppressed workers (not to mention her being a bloody genius). And yeah, I guess that's political, but I didn't know that back when I was, oh, seven.
♥♥
Of course, I do realize that your to-read list is probably as long as mine, so I will stop now.
Yeah, but I've added Kropotkin to the list anyway. ;)
(no subject)
Date: 2009-09-16 06:56 am (UTC)Probably not being American is also a factor...I mean, American history is not as familiar to me as the Swedish one.
Yeah, but I've added Kropotkin to the list anyway. ;)
Oh yeah, I never gave you the title: it's Memoirs of a Revolutionist. I, um, kind of got stuck re-reading a bit in it now, and on the subject of altruism he's kind of the polar opposite of Rand. Also, he reminds me a little bit of Fraser (although Fraser could never grow a beard that size). His parents were aristocrats, and he was educated as a military officer. When he's done with the school, he declares he'll go to some regiment in Siberia, where it's cold and poor, and try to do some good there. And one of his classmates goes "But how can you do that! Their uniform is so ugly!". Hee.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-09-16 07:32 am (UTC)Will definitely be reading Memoirs. *adds to long but way fun list*