The Kingsnorth book is very good. The content itself isn't really anything particularly new, but what is new is the way in which he brings all the various threads together -- Ellul, Mumford, McLuhan, Lasch, etc. -- and presents them as a unified, very contemporary critique. Not to mention some workable ways forward. Also, the bibliography itself is fascinating.
I got the chance to hear him speak at Grove City last week, and to meet and talk to him a bit after the lecture. He and I have corresponded a bit over the years via email, but had never met in person. Very smart guy, pleasant, and quite humble and unassuming. He is pleased, but genuinely seems a bit taken aback by all the attention the book is getting. He said that of course he's happy it's selling well, but he's much more gratified that its ideas are circulating.
I know Burke a little from some slight acquaintance with his later literary criticism, but I'm not familiar with his earlier work at all.
Burke's Attitudes Towards History is next on my list. I studied under a "Burkeian" at Duquesne (Richard Thames), and I got some of the inside scoop on what Burke's trying to do. Nevertheless, Burke has a vast array of nomenclature/novel terms that can make his work incredibly frustrating at times.
In addition to P&C, the Philosophy of Literary Form and Counter-Statement are also good. The latter provides his definition of (and rationale for) art.
This is very good stuff Justin. I'm going to have to read P&C.
You should send this to Kingsnorth or his Substack if possible. I think he'd find it very interesting.
Thanks, Rob. I have been thinking about reading Kingsnorth's new book. Seems like a lot of folks are talking about it.
Burke is an eccentric genius. Let me know if you decide to jump into P&C. There are some good secondary sources and notes I could send your way.
The Kingsnorth book is very good. The content itself isn't really anything particularly new, but what is new is the way in which he brings all the various threads together -- Ellul, Mumford, McLuhan, Lasch, etc. -- and presents them as a unified, very contemporary critique. Not to mention some workable ways forward. Also, the bibliography itself is fascinating.
I got the chance to hear him speak at Grove City last week, and to meet and talk to him a bit after the lecture. He and I have corresponded a bit over the years via email, but had never met in person. Very smart guy, pleasant, and quite humble and unassuming. He is pleased, but genuinely seems a bit taken aback by all the attention the book is getting. He said that of course he's happy it's selling well, but he's much more gratified that its ideas are circulating.
I know Burke a little from some slight acquaintance with his later literary criticism, but I'm not familiar with his earlier work at all.
Well, I'll have to read it then!
Burke's Attitudes Towards History is next on my list. I studied under a "Burkeian" at Duquesne (Richard Thames), and I got some of the inside scoop on what Burke's trying to do. Nevertheless, Burke has a vast array of nomenclature/novel terms that can make his work incredibly frustrating at times.
In addition to P&C, the Philosophy of Literary Form and Counter-Statement are also good. The latter provides his definition of (and rationale for) art.