(no subject)
There are some people for whom Horses and Life go hand in hand, one in and of the other. We are called to it. And once that animal is in your life, has integrated itself to such an extent that you can no longer recall a time or context without it, there is no concept of a good life that does not contain it thereafter. All things, all situations can be best related to horses, best taught by horses, and even for those without the call, there is something to be gained in knowing about them. At once, the most wild indomitable parts of us and the most gentle compassionate parts, so crippled within ourselves by settled, civilized, capitalized living, made that much more captivating to us by these animals, always our means of coercion in the history of world-domination, who themselves we have still not succeeded in breaking.
Extremely Good Books:
1. The Tao of Equus by Linda Kazmerof
Parts of this are pretty mystical, which will be difficult for many members of a society drowning in rationality to wrap their minds around, however it is significant stuff, particularly once you get into chapter eight where the author begins explaining things in a more scientific manner for us western civilized types. You will have to read chapters one through seven in order to fully grasp chapter eight, though.
2. Blood Horses by John Jeremiah Sullivan
Historical accounts of man's relationship to horses leading up to the current standard of racing, the culture of Lexington, whose Thoroughbred industry exists almost seperate from the rest of America's "reality," and the author's very personal memoirs of his father. Good read. Significant data and viewpoint (would I be writing it down if it was insignificant?)
3. Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman
Good story. Good read. Kind of written to the least common denominator, but good to get this point across to them, too.
4. The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Contrary to the claim of a critic on the back cover about characters being "multi-dimensional," I found them kind of flat. While it went into detail about each of their lives, problems, inner conflicts, etc, I always felt the author was telling more than showing. It makes for kind of a slow read in that respect, but thankfully not Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkein slow. However, the important part has to do with religion, opression, and women's rights. C'mon, did you really think you'd get through a list of books thought to be worthwhile by ME without one single reference to this?
Cormac McCarthy's Border Trilogy:
This is the same author who wrote No Country for Old Men which has recently been made into a box office hit which I was sadly unable to see while it was in theaters. All the Pretty Horses was also made into a movie over a decade ago, and I thought Hollywood did some justice to the book or I wouldn't have mentioned it. Beautifully written, danger, adventure, love, culture clashes of the southwest, and horses of course, all definitely make them appealing reads to all us urban cowboys yearning for that older way of life. Something of more depth to it than the obvious which may take a few readings and reflections to pull out of the subtle diction of this author. There is more in what he doesn't say. Soul-stirring and did I mention beautifully written?
5. All the Pretty Horses
6. The Crossing
7. Cities of the Plain
8. Ordinary Wolves by Seth Kantner
Another good one. Read this for the same reasons you read The Border Trilogy. Shows the uncomfortable contrast between the old ways of life and our "priveleged," "civilized," and highly "domesticated" modern world. Maybe it's just this streak of resentment toward being tamed I carry in the deepest part of my soul which sends rebellion coursing hot through every artery in me that makes these kinds of things so easy to relate to.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger's "10 Stupid Things" Collection:
While I don't agree with every word, difinitely a much needed eye opener for a society who, as a whole, has been headed in the wrong direction plenty long enough and, rather than trying to salvage some degree of honor form the decay of our interpersonal lives, instead continues to worsen the moral situation and compound its' problems by way of one rationalization and justification after another, making rebellion and lack of accountability acceptable and even normal.
9. Ten Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives
10. Ten Stupid Things Men Do to Mess Up Their Lives
11. Ten Stupid Things Couples Do to Mess Up Their Relationships
12. Ten Stupid Things Parents Do to Mess Up Their Kids
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"In riding a horse we borrow freedom."
"A horse without a rider will always be a horse, but a rider without a horse will only be a man."
"The more you tighten your grip the more star systems will slip through your fingers."
"It's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and some sails; that's what a ship needs; but what a ship is, what The Black Pearl really is, is freedom."
"I woke up and my hunger was gone."
"Because we're the same."