Our Wisest President

by | Nov 23, 2015

TO THE POINT: FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1964Tardily, historians and the intelligent public are coming to realize that the most intelligent, as well as most learned, man ever to inhabit the White House was sardonic old John Adams. Unlike the “advanced thinkers” of his time,...

Why Study Latin?

by | Nov 16, 2015

TO THE POINT: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1966Rather to my surprise, but considerably to my pleasure, the study of Latin has been reviving somewhat in our better high schools, these past few years. Once upon a time, every properly educated person knew his Latin authors. That...

What’s Relevant? Roman History and Latin Literature

by | Nov 16, 2015

TO THE POINT: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1973Having written some books concerned with the history of ideas, I sometimes am asked, “What period of history ought young people to study nowadays, to understand the world we live in?” And I answer, “The history of Rome in the age...

On Becoming a Journalist

by | Nov 9, 2015

TO THE POINT: THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1962Among the numerous vices of American education, one of the silliest is our passion for offering vocational courses and curricula, from high school through graduate school, in occupations that can be learned only through experience...

Are Chance Acquaintances Providential Acquaintances?

by | Nov 9, 2015

TO THE POINT: SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1970, or SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 1970Nowadays the idea of Providence is out of fashion. Yet I venture to affirm that men and women will come to believe once more in divine providence: that is, to believe that there exists a power greater...

Returning ‘To the Point’

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Russell Kirk, as every reader of the University Bookman knows well, was a man of letters. Kirk’s books, essays, lectures, reviews, and stories deservedly have received much attention, but he is not known today as a columnist. I thought this was a shame, since surely...