#1415 - Bari Weiss

This book is a poignant tale of a Lakota life, a history of a Native nation, and an enduring spiritual testament. It recounts Black Elk's youth, his visions, and the struggles of the Sioux people during the late 19th century, including the battles and massacres that drove them into smaller areas of land. The book also details Black Elk's experiences with the Ghost Dance and his time with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. It is a powerful and inspirational message that conveys the unity of humanity and Earth, as seen through the eyes of Black Elk and transcribed by John G. Neihardt.

In this book, Jonathan Haidt draws on twenty-five years of research on moral psychology to explain why people's moral judgments are driven by intuition rather than reason. He introduces the Moral Foundations Theory, which posits that human morality is based on six foundations: care/harm, fairness/cheating, loyalty/betrayal, authority/subversion, sanctity/degradation, and liberty/oppression. Haidt argues that liberals tend to focus on the care/harm and fairness/cheating foundations, while conservatives draw on all six. The book also explores how morality binds and blinds people, leading to social cohesion but also to conflicts. Haidt aims to promote understanding and civility by highlighting the commonalities and differences in moral intuitions across political spectra.

This book spans two astonishing stories. The first traces the rise and fall of the Comanches, who were the most powerful Indian tribe in American history, known for their exceptional horsemanship and warfare skills. The second story follows the remarkable narrative of Cynthia Ann Parker, a pioneer woman kidnapped by the Comanches in 1836, and her mixed-blood son Quanah, who became the last and greatest chief of the Comanches. The book covers a sweeping narrative that includes Spanish colonialism, the Civil War, the destruction of the buffalo herds, and the arrival of the railroads, providing a historical feast for anyone interested in the development of the United States.

In 'American Buffalo: In Search of a Lost Icon', Steven Rinella takes readers across the continent to explore the buffalo’s past, present, and future. The book visits sites such as the Bering Land Bridge, buffalo jumps used by Native Americans, and the Detroit Carbon works, a plant that processed buffalo bones into various products. Rinella’s storytelling combines outdoor adventure with historical, biological, and environmental observations, highlighting the significant role the buffalo has played in shaping American identity.

Catch 67 delves into the ongoing national debate in Israel regarding the land conquered in the Six-Day War. Micah Goodman argues that while Israelis have differing views on the occupation, both the right and the left have valid points, yet their positions create an impossible bind. The book advocates for 'radical listening' and understanding of both sides, drawing inspiration from Talmudic debates. It became a bestseller and sparked intense public debate upon its release in 2017, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War.

In this book, Bari Weiss delivers an urgent wake-up call to all Americans, highlighting the alarming increase in anti-Semitism in the country. She examines the threat from both the far right and the far left, and provides a multifaceted plan for Jews and their allies to fight it. Weiss advocates for embracing Judaism, renewing values, respecting oneself, calling out hateful speech and actions, defending other minorities, building community, and supporting Israel. The book also puts modern anti-Semitism into historical context and emphasizes the importance of Jewish authenticity and community strength in combating this hatred.