Easy Rhino

Good for first or second grade

Reviewed: 11-06-23

I look forward to reading this to my grandkids. We have had these books in our homeschool for a long time. When reading them I often think what the world would be like if we still used these McGuffey Readers in public schools. So many problems would be avoided; problems which, I’m afraid, can now only be avoided by teaching your children yourself. And what could be more natural than teaching your own children. Give it a try. The results and lifelong problems your children will escape will surprise you.

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Excellent

Reviewed: 10-28-22

Great explanation of Adam Smith, Karl Marx, and John Maynard Keynes, their different economic philosophies, how they came about, and their impact. Interesting how Marxism is based entirely on the labor theory of value, or the idea that the value of something is based entirely on how much labor was put into it, and therefore those who perform the labor should be entitled to the entire profit. Marx completely ignores the value that entrepreneurs add through the organization and running of businesses, the risks involved, and investment to get it going and continue growing. Not to mention the obvious notion that the value of something is based not primarily on its labor, but on its utility, or its tendency to improve a person’s life or enjoyment, regardless of how many hours it took to make.
And it’s surprising that Keynes still holds so much influence. His emphasis on “full employment” being the primary goal is still voiced by politicians and central banks, but ignores the impact of inflation and deficits. The argument that “we owe it to ourselves” which is taught so much in schools is directly from Keynes; it’s interesting to learn more about the source of these financial and economic fallacies.
Marx has been proved wrong time and time again throughout history. Keynes has also been proved wrong repeatedly, but not in as devastating a manner as Marxism. However, governments can’t spend and increase deficits indefinitely. Ultimately, Adam Smith will once again be proven correct in a dramatic way - not only in his description of the most successful economic theory, but in its consistency with human nature and fundamental and eternal principles. As Smith put it, “What is prudence in the conduct of every private family can scarce be folly in that of a great kingdom.”

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Surprised by Trey’s comments at the end

Reviewed: 04-30-22

Trey surprised me at the end of the book by mocking those who think the Constitution is an inspired document. Trey — it is perhaps the document that has done more good in the world than any other. Quoting Gladstone, “I have always regarded that constitution as the most remarkable work known to man in modern times, to have been produced at a single stroke, so to speak, in its application to political affairs.” Trey can’t subscribe to such views because of the 3/5 compromise and because it didn’t grant women the right to vote. Trey betrays his poor educational background. The 3/5 compromise was obviously an effort to weaken slavery, and in combination with the established date to prohibit the future importation of slaves, an effort to end it altogether. And back when marriage was nearly universal, men were viewed as voting for the household, with husband and wife being ‘one’ under the Common Law, in purpose and intent — certainly not the marital setting today, to the detriment of society. Just read Alexis de Tocqueville‘s Democracy in America for a further explanation. So few have actually read contemporary works like that, but instead rely on modern drivel. Trey admits earlier in the book that he had read virtually nothing until well into adulthood. We have public schools to thank for that.

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1 person found this helpful

Our greatest president?

Reviewed: 03-12-22

After listening to this autobiography and the several speeches, I’ve come to believe that Calvin Coolidge was our greatest president since Lincoln. The soundness and temperance of his policies, his reverence for America’s principles, and his understanding of “the practical side of government,” which he learned from his father, established a stable environment and setting that enabled unprecedented advances culminating in the industrial revolution. During his presidency, people started to work 5 days a week instead of 6 because of the great advances in productivity. He had a reverence for God, family, and country, unlike modern presidents who mock God, undermine the institution of the family, and apologize for our nation’s blessed heritage. We need more men like him in our day.
What’s funny is I remember my teachers and textbooks attacking President Coolidge and his administration. If most of what you’ve learned comes from your public education, I feel sorry for you. As Adam Smith said, “Surely no acquirement which can possibly be derived from what is called a public education can make any sort of compensation for what is almost certainly and necessarily lost by it.”

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Lessons and Inspiration from History

Reviewed: 09-25-21

Enjoyed learning about George Washington with many original quotes from our first and greatest president.
Would like to check out the writings of George Washington that UVA is publishing. How much better we could be as a country if we followed his counsel.

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Truthful and Courageous

Reviewed: 08-14-21

Magnificent! Tad Callister is the Captain Moroni of our day. Every chapter is full of truth and the divine recipe to restore America’s greatness. Religious leaders, parents, teachers, and leaders in every station of life ought to listen and learn to adopt God’s counsel in their responsibilities.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Stop putting God’s word under a bushel, but proclaim it courageously as Tad has so magnificently done.

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Ought to be read more

Reviewed: 06-19-21

If Burke were read more in public schools, our society would not be so messed up.

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3 people found this helpful

The Fuller Sea Stories Recommended

Reviewed: 02-22-21

All of the stories here are excerpts from Admiral McRaven's larger book, Sea Stories. And the end of the book is a transcript of Admiral McRaven's 2014 University of Texas Commencement Speech. I would recommend Sea Stories for a fuller account of each story, as the ones here just touch the surface.

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Great description of race

Reviewed: 12-03-20

Sowell explains how the influence of intellectuals on race has been misguided for over a century. First they advocated eugenics, arguing that race is everything in determining a person’s intelligence. Now they argue that if a particular race is on average less wealthy or less skilled or less intelligent, it is because they are discriminated against, or what they now call systemic racism. This completely ignores history (e.g., how a race fared at a time when everyone acknowledges there was more rampant racism compared to now) and also ignores the cultural influence of race and the experience of other races in other countries similarly situated. In short, intellectuals fan the flames of anger and victimhood to the great detriment of society. Wouldn’t it be nice if intellectuals advocated for stable, two-parent families, hard work in schools, personal development, and stopped advocating that people are victims, that their situation is not based on their actions but based on others’ discriminatory treatment of them.

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A Wonderful Description of Human Nature

Reviewed: 08-03-20

Adam Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments is a magnificent description of human nature and an eloquent explanation of virtue and vice, and what is natural and unnatural. It is one of the best books ever written; how unfortunate it is not more widely read and studied.

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