Caleb M. Powers > Recent Status Updates

I appreciate the heart behind the section that serves as the grounding for the chapter on nation—Wolfe's thoughts on sentiment, familiarity, and home are profound and meaningful.

I also like Wolfe coming down on a definition of nation (he defines it as almost a synonym of ethnicity). I largely agree with this definition, but as I read, I find what Wolfe wants to include as natural to that definition overreaching.

Wolfe's Thomistic and Two Kingdoms categories are getting the way of some good nuggets here and there. The problem is those nuggets are rarely consistent with his overall argument, but rather blessed inconsistencies.

I'm also confused as to the audience for this book. It seems far too academic to be of interest to the average Christian, but those familiar with his terminology likely know the info he's presenting.

Wolfe lays out a strong outline for his project in the introduction, and I have to admire its conviction and consistency.

That being said, I have a few major problems so far that I won't have the word count here to expound in detail. Quick summary of my issues:

1. Wolfe is making too many assumptions already without the proper grounding; and
2. Wolfe is erroneously conflating society/nation with civil government.

Getting better, but it's still mostly just giant block quotes strung together.

I was expecting this book to lean more heavily into its gimmick (pretending the reader is having a chat in a pub with Chesterton) and less a giant list of quotations.

Tremendous. Shared a bunch of quotes on my social media , probably too many. Just so many good things said here.

Tremendously excellent so far.

The history of the Romans conquering Germany is fascinating.

Rosenfelder's thoughts on sexual dimorphism and gender roles is laughable.

There are so many important characters in the Julio-Claudian story, but I think I'm managing to keep them all straight for now.

Thoroughly enjoying Nancy's practical insight, even though I'm not the target audience. I always take something helpful from her writing.

It's lovely to read a book about how women are to be godly, good wives, mothers, etc... and realize your wife hits all the marks. Love her.

Loving this history so far.

Great chapter on loyalty—advice that is timely and helpful for men as well as women, and even for those who are not in the ministry/minister's wives. I always find wisdom in Nancy's books.

I love the way Tom Holland writes history. So dynamic and engaging.

Editing this audiobook for Canon, and enjoying it so far. Always love Nancy's writing.

Lots of quotations from epics and lyrical poetry, which is a little hard to follow, but I appreciate all the same.

Enjoying this so far—Thomas Cahill has a skill for breaking down the complex web of history into meaningful patterns.

Enjoying this so far—Thomas Cahill has a skill for breaking down the complex web of history into meaningful patterns.

Really enjoying this. Tress is clever, kind, and skilled in legitimately feminine ways, making her a great heroine. Wit's narration is excellent as expected, and the Cosmere tidbits are juicy and fascinating.

I especially enjoyed the bargaining scene (don't want to go into too many details as to not give spoilers).

As the narrative arc starts to take shape, I'm really enjoying what I'm seeing. Also, great to see more Hoid.

Brandon's humor really comes to the forefront when he writes something in the first person, whether Alcatraz, or with Hoid as the unreliable narrator for Tress' story. Lots of fun!

Slowly chipping my way through this. The author does a good job of providing fun examples of the categories he's discussing. Really gets me thinking about application for conworlding.

Good chapter on man's highest good. Every day I am more convinced of the wholistic vision for every sphere of life and every avenue of thinking that the Reconstructionists present us from Scripture. It's just so seamlessly *biblical*.

Some powerful chapters in here on time and advocacy. The redeemed man is fundamentally different than the pagan, and this shows up in the ways we think about everything.

Favorite quote from this section:

"The Christian man is the only free man. The Christian man alone can undertake and sustain a true reconstruction of society, because he alone has both the freedom and the power to accomplish that task."

Really enjoying the detail in this book on worldbuilding. Gonna have to go back through it with a fine toothed comb the next time I'm conworlding.