In June, my daughter was given her summer reading assignments for her high school senior year. A short essay, titled The Law is required reading for her government class in addition to the Declaration of Independence and The US Constitution. She also had a list of 4 other books to read for her English class.

Out of curiosity, I chose one of the unfamiliar titles and read it. I read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. It wasn't a bad story but I was frequently confused by the interwoven subplots. I read it from cover to cover which for me was no small feat as I'm not particularly fond of "recreational reading". I then went to a few websites to read the reviews by the scholars. I was amazed at the praise that was heaped on this book.

As I said I found it to be a confusing book to read as the story switched from present to past and launched into long philosophical meanderings about quality. It surely didn't entertain me and I felt nothing for the characters in the book. So much for my literary review.

Next I turned my attention to the reading for the government class. I read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. I then read the short essay by Frédéric Bastiat. Bastiat, a French economist lived from 1801 to 1850. His views on the law were very intriguing. I found that I agree with nearly everything in the essay. It's his perspective about how the law should be about serving justice and the rights, liberties, and properties of the individual. I then read another short essay of his on government.

I found the writings of Bastiat to have the same tone as the Declaration of independence and the Constitution. The concept of protecting the rights, liberties and property of citizens is the central theme. It's amazing how far we have strayed from the ideals that they were founded upon.

http://bastiat.org/en/the_law.html 
http://bastiat.org/en/government.html 

http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experience/charters/declaration_transcript.html 
http://www.usconstitution.net/const.txt 


Sorry for the long post. I've avoided posting on the forums for awhile because they've become so repetitive and so negative. Just thought I'd inject something different.

The teacher's choice of Zen... tells me a lot about him/her. It was really popular during the acid-washed 1970's. I'm surprised that none of the Carlos Castaneda books ended up on that list 😉

and one more thing...

I wish more HS gov't teachers would assign Democracy in America by de Tocqueville. An amazing outsider's view of our baby democracy. I believe it was he who first observed that our govt was in trouble as soon as the populous figured out that we could vote ourselves money from the public treasury.

Well, it took us quite a while, but now the view that the govt is "them" and we are "us" is nearly complete. The view that we govern ourselves is practically obliterated. There is no more 'government by the people, for the people, of the people.'

The motto of the county of San Diego sounds quite quaint anymore: "The noblest motive is the public good."

Her reading list also included Catch 22, Crime and Punishment, and a book on Greek/Roman Mythology. While I haven't read any of these I'm familiar with them. I believe the central theme has to do with psychology.

My daughter is in advanced studies program so she has to read these over the summer and prepare for tests during the first week of school. I've tried to help her with some of the concepts but having not read these books makes it difficult. So, I've had her explain them too me and I ask her questions throughout the reading.

The government reading looks like a good foundation for the course. But a lot depends on the perspective of the teacher. If the teacher is opposed to the concepts presented by Bastiat and chooses to read into the constitution, it's very easy to manipulate the intent. I've tried to explain to my daughter that it's OK to challenge the teachers perspective as long as she can back it up and does so respectfully. I don't believe education should be indoctrination.

At least Casteneda's books were entertaining. I read "Zen" about 20 years ago, and I think it feel flat on just about every level. I have no idea what all the hype was about...

Gee...and to think my summer reading is just a few little financial books by Suze Orman...

I think that I'll have to run out and buy Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance...thanks for piquing my interest, Doug!

Marla

penzt: that's some heavy-duty reading for college kids, much less hs students. kudos to your daughter.

i've not read Zen, but i've read the other titles; you should definitely pick up Catch-22 and read it. (although when i read it in jr. high, i mistakenly thought it was about vietnam; it's actually about WWII. doh!). i have to say, though, that C-22 definitely has some raunchy moments in it. the teacher must assume some serious maturity on the part of the students to assign it (which speaks highly of the students and is good in my opinion).

a lot of folks worry about liberal teachers/profs, but it's been my experience that most of them have a much more (if not outright) conservative stance. in h.s., i was the lone student "lefty" challenging many of my teachers on their indoctrination. my wife teaches hs english now, and her colleagues definitely have a right-wing stance that gets conveyed in the classroom. she is waaaaay on the left but is careful not to "indoctrinate" but welcome all sides/views in a discussion -- with equal time, without judgment, and sensitive to a variety of belief systems, but in such a way that encourages both individual thought and teaches critical thinking skills. she and her colleagues tend to ask students questions rather than taking one stance over another ("what leads you to that conclusion" kind of stuff, things that call upon the students to be able to defend their comments with critical thinking skills that will serve them well in life).

good on you for your comments to your daughter.

I read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" 20 or more years ago. I forced my self to finish it. I think the message was to attend to all of the little details in your life because combined they make up the whole of your life. But man he sure told it the long way. Taught me that you can take the simplest thing and if you cloak it in enough new age mumbo jumbo, liberal arts majors will think you're a genius.

Here is a hint... It ain't about motorcycles or repairing them

As I recall, the author's intro even says that it is not authoritative about motorcycle maintenance or zen. The author was admitedly emotionally unstable. Perfect credentials for a new age tome.

as a future high school english teacher, I think the selections are pretty good. Catch 22 is very difficult (though very fun reading) I have upped my reading this summer from six to (hopefully) twelve books. So far I have read :The Power of Myth, Tar Baby, The Bluest Eye, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Jude the Obscure, Animal Farm, and the Fountainhead. All of them have been great, but I have a lot of reading to do and the summer is going quick.

by the way, with the exception of the Fountainhead which I read in four days and couldn't put down, all of these books were read on the porch smoking a morning cigar. Its amazing what you can accomplish when you take an hour and slow down for a while

From Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Author’s Note

What follows is based on actual occurrences. Although much has been changed for rhetorical purposes, it must be regarded in its essence as fact. However, it should in no way be associated with that great body of factual information relating to orthodox Zen Buddhist practice. It’s not very factual on motorcycles, either.

For anyone that is interested.
http://www.design.caltech.edu/Misc/pirsig.html 

I read Zen and C-22, and yes, they might be a bit much for HS students, but more power to the teacher for introducing them to some books that make them "think." for once. A good choice also would've been "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel. A wonderful book.