Books, stories, poems, myths, plays, lectures, TV, and the other forms
of entertainment and edification influence our careers, our decisions, and even
our perspectives on life. Some amuse us; others teach us about life, morals,
and ethics; and still others help us understand how to do our jobs well. Neil
Postman writes in “Amusing Ourselves to Death” about the influence of
television and its dominance over reading. Written in 1985, he did not and
could not include the influence the internet and digital technology has had
upon our lives. Nevertheless, books in their many formats and manifestations continue
to influence individuals and are essential for the survival of libraries
At the 12th annual National Book Festival http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/ on Thursday
June 21st, the Librarian of Congress James Billington just announced
a new celebration of the book entitled “Books
That Shaped America”
The Library of
Congress, the world’s largest repository of knowledge and information, began a
multiyear “Celebration of the Book” with an exhibition on “Books That Shaped
America.” The initial books in the exhibition are displayed below.
“This list is a
starting point,” said Librarian of Congress James H. Billington. “It is not a
register of the ‘best’ American books – although many of them fit that
description. Rather, the list is intended to spark a national conversation on
books written by Americans that have influenced our lives, whether they appear
on this initial list or not.” http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/books-that-shaped-america/
A Washington Post editorial discusses the various books and even asks
why academic ‘classics’ don’t make the list http://www.washingtonpost.
Watch
the short video, read the list of books, and add your own influential books to
their list.
What’s
the book that shaped your life?
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