Summer Reading List

If you have high schoolers at home you are probably well aware of summer reading lists. Candidates for public office should also have summer reading lists. In addition to policy briefs and pages of tax code, I have been reviewing several books I have read in the past to aid me in my campaign. I would suggest you check them out if you get the opportunity.

A Generosity of Spirit: The Early History of the Research Triangle Park by Albert Link: This book chronicles the early history of RTP, and highlights the unheard of (at the time) collaborations between three major research universities, state government, and the business community. This case study has been been extremely instrumental in the development of the RITZ proposal.

From Seed to Harvest: The Growth of the Research Triangle Park by Albert Link: This followup explores the ongoing growth of the park, and policy interactions required to make growth constant.

The Age of American Unreason by Susan Jacoby: This book discusses the "dumbing down" of American politics into categorical extremes. It also covers how the age of distractionism has left us in an untenable situation where we fail to seek real long-term goals.

The Vision of The Anointed: Self-Congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy by Thomas Sowell: While generally Sowell is on the wrong side of the debate around economic issues, this book is more than that. Overall I don't agree with much of Sowell's philosophies, but it proves to be an interesting read.