The University Bookman

Reviewing Books that Build Culture

What the American Revolution Secured: Order, Justice, and Freedom

Throughout the semiquincentennial year celebrating America’s independence, The University Bookman will invite a range of writers and speakers to contribute to a series drawing upon Russell Kirk’s work on the American Revolution and the constitutional order it secured.

A Man for All Seasons

“His latest book is a collection of essays that reflect the breadth of his interests and the power of his pen. [It] contains delightful ruminations on matters as diverse as his home state of California, his teachers and heroes, domestic culture and politics, foreign affairs, and the miscellaneous diversions that have occupied his lively mind.”

Finding Faith in Fiction

“D’Amico implores us to take time to ‘sink into the wonder’ that our children feel for the big and small details in creation as they see God’s plan unfolding in the world. Parents and caretakers are responsible ‘to invite sacred interpretations of real-life experiences’ by pursuing natural moments of curiosity.”

The Liturgical Key to Tolkien

“…Reinhard makes a unique case that exploring Tolkien’s entire body of work through the lens of the Catholic liturgy as Tolkien experienced it turns up rich insights into both the man and the myths he wove.”

Whispers From Kirk

Whispers From Kirk

“The challenge for conservatives is to create a substantive program within their own tradition without having to feed off the carcass of liberalism.”

Cities, as Social Science Sees Them

Cities, as Social Science Sees Them

“Whatever hope… American cities might have depends on time-tested, filtered wisdom, not on a haughty, overpaid consultants’ findings or ivory tower social scientists’ musings.”

Upcoming Event: The Gerald Russello Memorial Lecture

Upcoming Event: The Gerald Russello Memorial Lecture

On November 15, The University Bookman and friends will hold a memorial lecture in honor of Gerald Russello, longtime editor of The University Bookman. Dr. Dermot Quinn, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at Seton Hall University, will speak on Gerald Russello and the Art of Memory.

The Lost Art of Memento Mori

The Lost Art of Memento Mori

“To acknowledge and respect the end to which we are destined, to meditate and learn to bear the thought of it—this is one of the ancient disciplines which we have, beyond all argument, let fall into oblivion, and which we must, past all denial, dedicate ourselves to recovering.”

Fundamentally Religious and Catholic

Fundamentally Religious and Catholic

“…a comprehensive portrait of Tolkien’s religious life and thought has been lacking. Holly Ordway supplies that needed ‘spiritual biography’ decisively. Through exhaustive research and insightful analysis, she recounts Tolkien’s lifelong, tested, textured engagement with Roman Catholicism, and thereby establishes how fundamental it was to his identity as a person and a writer.”

Must the University Be Political?

Must the University Be Political?

“Should academic departments and scholarly societies issue position statements on current political matters? The practice is increasingly common today, but it still sparks debate…
This current debate has roots in the late 1960s, as Ellen Schrecker shows in her sprawling book…”

The Book Gallery

A collection of conversations with Bookman editor Luke C. Sheahan and writers and authors of imagination and erudition. Click on the icon in the upper right corner of the video to see more episodes in this series or check out our YouTube page.

Finding Faith in Fiction
Christine Norvell on "Wondrous Reading: Encountering the Catholic Faith in Children’s Literature" by @LuElla_DAmico

A Man for All Seasons
@BradleyCSWatson (@HillsdaleInDC) on "Dispatches from the Late Republic: The Culture, Politics, and Prophets of American Greatness, Decline, and Rebirth" by Michael Anton. @EncounterBooks

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