Our Book List of Lists

A good friend of mine recently asked a very thought provoking question. She wondered, “What five books, outside of your religious book, would you take if you had to pack up and leave home?”

My wife and I got excited about the challenge and got into a discussion that lasted three days.

Through this dialogue we realized what was happening: we were defining what a “classic” meant for our family. We have a long list of classic books that we love, have learned from, and would like to take with us, but being limited to five pushed us to refine our answer of what a classic really is for us.

Simply put, a classic is something you can read over and over again and learn from it every time. There at least two different types of classics: personal classics and cultural classics.

Personal classics are subject to personal opinion—anything could be a classic to anyone, really. A cultural classic generally rises when many people consider it a classic. Thus the Harvard Classics, the Great Books set, the Thomas Jefferson Education classics list, and many other collections of some of the greatest works from history. Cultural classics are works that pass the taste of time, when generation after generation read and re-read these works and still pass them on to their children.

What are the great classics in your family culture? Your nation’s culture? Your religious culture? These are powerful questions to think about, discuss, and answer. I’d love to share in your thoughts and discuss what the core cultural classics are for your country in the comments below.

Consider the impact and widespread influence of the writings of Aristotle, Shakespeare, Homer, the Bible, and other such works. How many lives have they impacted over centuries and millennia? This is incredible to me! That is serious influence.

To fulfill this little project, Emma and I had to separate those classics that are good from the truly great.

We wanted the best classics for our family and the coming generations.

We realized as we discussed some of the most influential classics, that we need the greatest and best classics for us. That meant that we need to share what is ours. It doesn’t need to be the most “classically acclaimed,” but it does need to be something that we care about deeply. It needs to be something we get excited and passionate about, something that we deeply connect with.

A classic like this will naturally instill a passion for the love of learning in all those we come in contact with. We realized we must take the classics that are a part of us because we would be able to inspire those around us to use these classics and make them a part of who they are as well.

When you’re excited and passionate about something, those around you can’t help but gain some interest or curiosity (if not fall head over heels in love) with the subject. This is a powerful thing, the power of love. This is key to a great education, a great society, and great success: share your love for what is yours.

Think of a book that is considered a classic that you’ve tried to read but just had a hard time engaging. Such a book would be hard to get excited about and share with others. I wouldn’t pick Galileo’s Two New Sciences over Euclid’s Elements, because I get excited over studying Euclid but didn’t have the same experience with Galileo.

Maybe I could end up falling in love with Galileo’s works as much as Euclid’s if that’s the book I had, but if I had the choice I wouldn’t want to risk it on something I didn’t already deeply care about. Being able to instill a love of learning and thinking in others is much more valuable to me than taking something that is considered a “better classic” by others.

What are your top five books that you couldn’t help but share?

I’ll share what Emma and I came up with. We ended up making two book lists. The first is if we are pioneering somewhere and so our book options are limited for a time, but not forever. The second list is if there is a great disaster and the likelihood of ever getting more books is slim. We discussed these two scenarios and decided we would have different needs and a different focus depending on the availability of more classics. We chose the scriptures for both lists, these five books are in addition the scriptures.

Our first book list:

        The United States Constitution and the 196 Indispensable Principles of Freedom by Oliver DeMille

We picked this one for its invaluable list of principles needed for founding a great, free, and successful society. Also how it teaches and directs the reader to think, analyze, discuss, and read is a powerful teaching tool.

2.       Jane Austen’s Complete Works

Austen shows the principles of freedom, merit, and character in action. It doesn’t talk about the importance but shows the importance in action. They are brilliant stories that depict manners, morals, and grace.

3.       The Complete Works of Shakespeare

The entertainment value of Shakespeare provides for some spice and great community productions. Memorizing the stories and lines strengthens the mind, the depth of characters teach powerful life lessons, and the breadth of ideas covered supply ample opportunity for study and discussion.

4.       The Hunger Games Trilogy

This series gives a variety of styles and types of books for a different flavor. We decided on this set to stand as a reminder, a warning, and a call for greatness, mission, and paying the price for freedom. We must found a new society that will guard against such tyrannical rule. This supports many similar themes from Shakespeare, Austen, and 196 by DeMille.

5.       Herbalist Book of Home Remedies

Founding a new society we must work as a community, and it requires a lot of self-sustainability. Having a great reference book of different helpful plants could be the tipping point of our success or demise. Let’s stack as many odds in our favor as we can!

Our second book list is as follows (the first three are the same as before):

1.       The United States Constitution and the 196 Indispensable Principles of Freedom by Oliver DeMille

2.       Jane Austen’s Complete Works

3.       The Complete Works of Shakespeare

4.       The Complete Works of C.S. Lewis

We have been greatly moved by Lewis’ works. His insights, questions, principles, and styles of teaching are powerful. We have a very close relationship with Lewis and would be able to pass on a great passion for learning through his works.

5.       Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville

This book shows what the American Founding society looked like. And the type of people that produced one of the greatest nations in the world is analyzed and described in this great work. This is another book that Emma and I feel passionate about, a book with which we could spread the love of learning and freedom. 

Climate and… Freedom?

A great leadership book on reading like the top leaders of our day, entitled Turn the Page, teaches about the power of arguing with the author of the book you’re reading. Needless to say, I have had a couple run ins with Montesquieu.

When I first read his Spirit of the Laws I was surprised by his thoughts about the impact of the climate of a nation. He said that tropical climates which require little work to obtain the necessities of life tend to raise people who are weaker, less moral, and generally less free. Montesquieu broke down the history of these nations and showed they would often be conquered by more hardy northern nations who had all the seasons. These northern people had to struggle to live, they had to store up and think more long-term. The Carthaginians were conquered by the Romans, and the Romans defeated by the Gauls. Or—in a modern example—the northeastern Ivy League schools tend to be more scholarly, while the Arizonian or southern Californian schools are considered the nation’s party schools.

The book gives great historical examples and case studies for this common thread. I thought it was pretty funny at first. I didn’t take him seriously in the least and often joked about it with some of my peers and students I was mentoring at the time.

I was left wondering why brilliant Montesquieu would say this. I kept asking, “What am I missing? What am I not seeing here?” So I’d laugh and wonder at the oddity of climate influencing freedom.

My reconciliation came slowly, with much more reading and discussion. But I’ve come to understand that he’s onto something here. He’s not saying that you can’t have freedom if your life isn’t really really hard in order to survive—because there are ample cases to the contrary. But climate does matter. We see this dynamic between the islanders of the Pacific being very communal, relaxed, and peaceful as tribes, as opposed to the conquering Vikings far to the north who lived much by a survival of the fittest type of culture, even within in their own society. Climate absolutely has great effect on people—both societal and familial.

Summer naturally drives family outdoors to work, play, and build. Fall naturally inspires preparation, harvest, and gathering for feasts. Winter naturally tends toward rest, family stories, and study. And spring naturally produces unrest, new birth, and new energy. It’s different if you only have summer and spring, or fall and winter. You must make adjustments, checks, and balances to hedge against the weaknesses of each season and exploit their strengths.

This is simply another piece of the freedom puzzle, just as Montesquieu argues that for a Republic to be successful it must be based on the principles of public virtue. Looking closer at the founding of the United States—and a similar thing will be found in the founding of any great and free people—the effects of their climate, their natural resources, and their position in the world, geographically as well as politically, important. In order to establish a successful new nation, or a new business, a new family, a new move, a new phase in life, these things should be considered.

Do we too seldom notice the power and influence of our environment? The culture of the society you’re in, the temperament of the climate around you, the type of soil you reside on, the neighboring military powers, the business competition down the road, the addictions one is faced with, the customs and manners of a region or society, etc. etc. etc. Understanding the environment is a powerful tool in finding the right answers to make anything a success.

So, how does your climate affect you, your family, and your government? 

“I Think I’m Ready!”

Grandpa Glen leaned back on the park bench as he put his arm around Kevin’s shoulder. 

“Let me tell you something, Kevin,” Grandpa Glen sighed.  “Too many people have given up on the American Dream.  But my brothers and went to war, fighting long and hard for that American Dream.  Today, just as ever, is full of abundance and opportunity.  It never actually left; people just started ignoring it.” 

Kevin looked up quizzically. 

“See here Kevin, there are two main camps of people.  There is a very fine line between the two, but the differences are huge!  It’s interesting how the little things set the big things so far apart.  It all boils down to one’s thinking.  Simple as that!”

“But doesn’t everyone think, Grandpa?” 

“Ah, yes.  But it’s what everyone thinks about that’s the difference.”  Grandpa Glen had a big grin on his face now as he was beginning to warm up.  “We all start with pretty limited thinking and it can be hard work to get better at it.  Henry Ford simply pointed out why so few seem to think well, he said it is some of the hardest work there is.  Which usually makes it the best paid as well.  So it’s no wonder that the man with an hourly wage, who is told what to think, is paid the least.  He’s dependent on the thinking of his boss, and that man’s boss, and then that man’s boss until you reach the owner and impetus of the whole human machine.  The employee is a dependent and is told to think hourly for his just compensation. 

“And then the ones who don’t like to be dependent come along and set off for their independence.  They’re confident, head-strong, and cocky.  They think one task at a time.  Their motto is something like, ‘If you want a job done right then do it yourself.’”

“Kinda like Jimmy?” Kevin asked. 

“Kind of like Jimmy, but your older brother has the potential in him for taking it to the next level.  You see, being independent is well and good, but the true power, fulfillment, and world-changing impact come with interdependence.  When you have friends who share in the fight with you.  If nothing else, this was the biggest lesson I learned in the military.  Where one of us couldn’t withstand, a brother-in-arms was always there to carry some of the load.  There’s almost nothing you can’t do with a tight-knit band of brothers or sisters wrestling for excellent results!” 

“Is that why you always get sad when you talk about your friends and business partners?”

“They were like family to me.  You see, we rarely spent our time.  Every second of it was an investment.  With those men, and their wives, we learned to think for the long haul, to curb our wants; and ultimately leveraged the eighth wonder of the world, compound interest, in every aspect of our lives.”

“What’s car-pond interest?” 

Grandpa Glen chuckled softly, “No.  Com-pound interest.  Sit down with your mother sometime and work out this little exercise.  Start day one with a single penny, then for each day double it and see where you end up after a month.”  He prompted further, “Your first day is a single penny, your next day is two, the third is four, the fourth day you would have eight pennies, and so on.  Some people, if presented the option, often say they’d prefer to receive a million dollars on day one instead of a meager penny that doubles every day for a month.  Work out the math and see which one you’d like.” 

“Oh, ok!  I like working out problems and finding the solutions with mom and dad.  Dad says he used to do that with you when he started growing tall like I am.  But, why were you talking about solutions last night with mom and dad?” 

“That’s because we have an interdependent relationship.  And he understands I’ve had success, failures, experiences, and more time on this earth than him.  Just like how I ask you how to use this crazy new phone of mine.  I know if I get help from you it’ll be much faster and considerably less painful for me than to try and figure it all out on my own!”

“Haha, yeah, that’s the truth, Grandpa!  I sure enjoy helping you out though, even though I think it’s silly sometimes how bad you are at getting the hang of it.” 

“Yes, my boy!  Isn’t that the truth.”

They both stretched out over the park bench, staring off into the woods across the fields, drifting deep into thought. 

“I’ve been trying to make sense of this interdependent thing you, my dad, and mom keep talking about, but how do relationships make you a living?  I mean, I have some pretty good friends, but I never get paid for having them.” 

Grandpa Glen smiled broadly at the brilliance of budding youth.  “That’s a bunch of old guy business talk that’s probably no fun to such a free-spirited youth like yourself!” 

“No, Grandpa, really.  I know someday I’ll have to make a living, lead some people, and have kids just as smart as me, because I have a mission I’m going to detect and get excited about and all that stuff.  Just like you and mom and dad.”

“Well!  Put like that I suppose it does call for an opinion on the matter, now doesn’t it?  Let’s see.  Simply put, it’s the interdependent friendships you invest in over your lifetime that are then applied to the mission you detect.  See, it’s not the business you pick as much as it is the mission you detect and then the business you build with your interdependent friends around your joint missions.  Your living comes from your business, which is built with your friends, based around your missions.  Does that make sense?  You’re not actually paid for simply having friends, but you are paid for the impact your community will have on the world.” 

Grandpa Glen looked over at Kevin, pondering. 

“You’re getting that look Grandpa, I think I’m ready for it now.  Mom says I don’t need to study as much as Jimmy does yet, but I think I’m ready for what you’ve got!” 

Grandpa Glen raised his eyebrows, a little taken back, “And what exactly are you ready for, Kevin?” 

“Your mentoring assignment!  Whenever you get that soul-searching look there’s static in the air with excitement then you give some great and challenging assignment to somebody.  Well, I think I’m ready!” 

Grandpa laughed. 

“Maybe I should just give it to your mom and she can pass it on when she thinks you’re ready for it.  Because it is great and challenging, and when you are ready for it I think it will be very inspiring, give you a lot of direction, answer a bunch of your questions, as well as help you ask the right questions.” 

“Come on Grandpa!  I really do think I’m ready.  And if it’s too hard for me, then I’ll sit down and talk it over with Mom and Dad.” 

“Ok, I like that proposition.  So, the assignment…yes…what were we talking about?” 

“Grandpa” Kevin smiled, beaming with excitement for his first assignment from Grandpa Glen.  “How I’m going to make a living with my friends by living our missions.”

“Ah, yes!  It’s simple really.  We’ll start by reading a few key books.”

“Come on!  Let’s head home and tell Mom and Dad about it!  I hope we have all the books so I can get started on them!” 

Kevin excitedly led him home at a brisk walk. 

Grandpa Glen’s recommended reading list:

1) Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens by Oliver DeMille and Shanon Brooks

2) Financial Fitness for Teens by LIFE Leadership

3) The Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki

Ian Cox

Course: Leadership Education for Teens

with Ian Cox

About this Course

When you fall in love with learning, something magical happens in your education. Not only is learning more fun, it also becomes more meaningful, more effective, and even easier! When you have a mentor who loves not only teaching but learning itself—a mentor who’s dedicated to helping you find your inner genius and connect you with your purpose in life—learning to love learning is practically a given.

Ian Cox is just such a mentor. In this class, he will share some of the greatest success stories from history and some of the most important things that made all the difference in their victories, all the while helping students see themselves in what they learn and read. 

The power of a mentor-guided study of the greats is quite possibly unparalleled in terms of actually equipping students with the foundation of a lifelong love affair with learning, and the tools and principles requisite to a truly superb education and a highly successful career in any field.

Ian’s passion for learning can’t help but rub off on anyone who gets around him, so jump in and let’s get ready to rub shoulders with some of the greatest men and women in history!

Click the following link to see the introductory video 

and register today! 

Leadership Education for Teens

Course Reading

AThomas Jefferson Education for Teens by Oliver DeMille and Shannon Brooks

“The Inner Ring” by C.S. Lewis

“The Invitation to the Pain of Learning” by Mortimer Adler

“TJEd Mentoring and Freedom” by Oliver DeMille

“Real Power” by Oliver DeMille

“Leadership Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” by Ian Cox

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas by Frederick Douglas

“A Message to Garcia” by Elbert Hubbard

“If-“ by Rudyard Kipling

“The Present Crisis” by James Russell Lowell

What’s so Great about the Classics? by Oliver DeMille

“'What About Their Careers?' the Father Asked" by Oliver DeMille

“A World Split Apart” by Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Leadership Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Level 5 Leadership was/is practiced by a few great leaders[i], and it in essence means a great leader that develops other leaders who develops leaders. It’s not someone who can just lead people or produce results, but rather somebody who develops other leaders to lead. It’s the frame work of legacy, of lasting influence, and of worldwide impact. Level 5 Leadership is not about followership, but rather developing a community of leaders who lead.

As I read the Bible recently with politics in mind, I kept wondering if Moses was a level 5 leader. Moses probably felt overwhelmed, extremely daunted, and greatly unworthy of the role he was called to play in liberating the children of Israel from the Pharaoh, the world power at the time.

Can you imagine, a lone man, armed with faith alone, come to change the very livelihood and culture of the Egyptians? Your society is built on slavery, your armies are some of the greatest and largest, your education and civilization one of the most advanced, and you come to defy all that in your humble and meager sheep-herding ways, simply proclaiming liberty and peace. 

It’s a wonder Moses wasn’t imprisoned for life or killed on the spot. As incredible, and preparatory, as this was for Moses, I don’t think this is what made him such a great leader of leaders.

Moses was put through a major leadership refiner’s fire. His audience was thousands of people who were not educated, thousands of people who had never been in a position of free leadership, and thousands of people who had never fully taken care of themselves or made decisions for themselves before. They were slaves; they did what they were told to do. This is not exactly the type of people great freedom and business leaders are typically looking for.

Yet, Moses took it on head first. He proceeded with great humility, with incredible patience, and was consistently dedicated to being a servant leader.

Was Moses perfect, according to the accounts we have? No, he wasn’t. But when he received mentoring from his father-in-law to elect and develop leaders among the people, he jumped on it and formed one of the freest forms of government that is still studied today.

The people tried and tested Moses repeatedly, complaining that they would rather be in Egypt to have the comforts and security of slaves than pay the price to become autonomous, to strive for leadership, to obtain freedom. Not only this, but God told Moses that they were unworthy and disobedient people. He said He would destroy them, he would take away the challenge, the pain, and the annoyance of developing these people into a great nation of free leaders.

What an easy scapegoat, right? How often have I wished something miraculous would happen and I would suddenly be successful and wouldn’t have to go through all the painful work to get there! But…where is the “success” in that? If I can paraphrase Patrick Henry, who I think said it very well, what we obtain too cheaply we esteem too lightly.

Being handed a million-dollar home, or expensive car, or whatever, is much much different than working, toiling, and becoming the person who pays for it in cash. This is not to say you don’t have mentors, or miracles from God, or an incredible community of leaders who helps along the way, but rather that I need to pay the price of servant leadership, live the process of the refiner’s fire, and traverse the path of greatness.

How Moses responds to God’s offer to take away the pain reminds me of the great people I’ve studied and heard about from history, and it blows me away every time I think of it. They say, “That would be nice, but I’d rather keep trying. I don’t want to stunt my growth here. To truly accomplish my mission, my passions, my purpose, I know I need to keep growing. So, now is a better time than later.” Moses asks God for another chance, to keep developing his leadership as well as the leadership of his brothers and sisters.

This is level 5 leadership.

It is a powerful thing to be a producer of great leaders.

Such is the essence of world-wide influence. Such is the essence of legacy. Such is the essence of greatness.

Such is the essence of freedom yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Ian Cox

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[i] See: Launching a Leadership Revolution by Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady, Good to Great by Jim Collins, and The 21 Irrefutable Principles of Leadership by John Maxwell