Federal Reserve Discussion

[ibanezmonster]

Here's an idea: pick up some books on US history and foreign policy, then read them.  Every page.

I would if I had time. Too busy with all of the 1000 page programming books I have to read.
Is there a short answer for someone who doesn't have the time for that much reading?

[Todd]

Is there a short answer for someone who doesn't have the time for that much reading?

Why not stop posting on forums and use the time you save to read up a bit?

[ibanezmonster]

Why not stop posting on forums and use the time you save to read up a bit?

That wouldn't be enough time saved up. So, I see, no quick answer.

[Todd]

So, I see, no quick answer.

For you, probably not.

[Brian]

Here's an idea: pick up some books on US history and foreign policy, then read them.  Every page.

Sincere question: what are 3-4 books on US history and foreign policy you'd consider essential?

I had a lot of fun with Robert Kagan's Dangerous Nation, and Morris's TRoosevelt series was one of the formative experiences of my teenage years (god, I'm such a nerd), but for some reason didn't get around to big guns like Howard Zinn or Tocqueville.

[Todd]

I had a lot of fun with Robert Kagan's Dangerous Nation

That's a good book, and I await the second volume, even though Kagan is a neocon.  Thomas P.M. Barnett's The Pentagon's New Map and Michael Mandelbaum's The Case for Goliath are both good recent-ish works, too, (note that Barnett's book smacks of self-promotion at times), though all three works are very favorable toward an active US role in world affairs, something I've grown increasingly wary of.  All also predate the financial crisis.  Foreign Affairs is good, too, with timely articles, though it is the very definition of an Establishment publication.  (I could never make it through Tocqueville.)  For history more generally, it's hard to come up with a short list as I tend to read a combo of bios and specific histories, and I jump around a lot in subject matter.

[kishnevi]

Sincere question: what are 3-4 books on US history and foreign policy you'd consider essential?

I had a lot of fun with Robert Kagan's Dangerous Nation, and Morris's TRoosevelt series was one of the formative experiences of my teenage years (god, I'm such a nerd), but for some reason didn't get around to big guns like Howard Zinn or Tocqueville.

Zinn's history is marred by a tendency to turn ideologue. 
Off the top of my head--David McCullough's biographies of John Adam and Harry Truman, and his history of the Panama Canal (The Path Between the Seas)
Henry Adams' history of the US in the Adams and Jefferson administrations--now a century old, and could be updated, of course, but deals with all the important issues
William Manchester wrote a history of the US during the Depression era, but I don't remember the work's title.

Take a thread through "Book I'm Reading" thread, and you'll find some interesting prospects there.

ETA: in regard to the question you actually asked--I'm not sure it's possible to limit oneself to just a few essential volumes.  I've yet to find a good general history of the US that gave more or less complete coverage.  It's the books which limit themselves to specific eras or topics, or which are biographies, which seem to be the most rewarding reads.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Sincere question: what are 3-4 books on US history and foreign policy you'd consider essential?

I found Colin Woodard's recent American Nations very interesting and informative:

http://www.amazon.com/American-Nations-History-Regional-Cultures/dp/0143122029

It's political geography, similar to Joel Garreau's classic Nine Nations of North America, but with a stronger emphasis on history.

[snyprrr]

Whatever you do don't read Ralph Epperson's 'The Unseen Hand'. Or watch 'Monster from Jekyll Island',...or,...

[Todd]

Whatever you do don't read Ralph Epperson's 'The Unseen Hand'. Or watch 'Monster from Jekyll Island',...or,...

Very good advice, thank you.

[CaughtintheGaze]

Sincere question: what are 3-4 books on US history and foreign policy you'd consider essential?

How serious and are you looking for something technical or not?

[Octave]

Not to horn in on Brian's request, but very and yes.

[CaughtintheGaze]

Not to horn in on Brian's request, but very and yes.

Here's my list of essential reading for understanding United States foreign policy (limited to four, per request):

Foreign Policy:
Mackinder's Democratic Ideals and Reality is easily the most important book when it comes to this topic.
Tang's A Theory of Security Strategies for Our Time is the most comprehensive book on political realism.

U.S. History:
Turner's Rereading Frederick Jackson Turner is easily the most important book when it comes to this topic.
Bailey's The American Spirit, a brilliant examination of the major players and events, which also touches on the many theories of democracy.