The Importance of Reading Good Books

Another great video. Love that new pipe .

As a teacher of 38 years I could not agree with you more on the purpose and power of education. Ron

Dr. Harrelson: I concur heartily with your opinion re pipe tobacco packaging. Not to tell you what to do, but I think an episode just on this topic would be a good idea. My suggestion would be to span the spectrum from dreadful examples (such as you showed today) to the exemplary. For latter, I’d submit BriarWorks mason jar offerings. Their labels have attractive art, but, more importantly, they are the ideal vehicle to cellar tobacco and, as a sop to your vast army of tree-hugger supporters, the jar is infinitely reusable. Lastly, on an unrelated note, I do silently snicker when you talk about buying more pipe tobacco, but always quickly add “ …, but it cellars quite well.” 😂 -WTR

Thank you for another first class Video. I have been an Avid reader since I was young Lad. Most of the Books I have read are about The Military and Irish history, particularly during The Troubles. I find reading is not only a source of Knowledge and discovery, but a source of enjoyment and quiet relaxation. It is something I Love and will never stop. God willing 🙏

Would you do a study on the trinity.?

Amen bro!

enjoy your posts. I am a Southerner also btw. Alas, I am a Platonist, but I do love many Christian writers, JK Chesterton and CS Lewis two of my favourites. Bought a Peterson 2024 Christmas pipe, spigot X105, I love the thing. Keep posting ole lad, you do good work.

What are your thoughts about audio books? I'm certain you would recommend and prefer the physical thing, but reading tends to put me to sleep and my retention is just rubbish.

I’d love to hear about some recommended authors and what you think they bring to the table in terms of knowledge, language skills and/or the ability to draw you in and not put you to sleep.

Alan, what are your thoughts on Faulkner? He’s been my favorite author since I took a class on him in school.

This man just serves Stonewall Jackson-vibes.

Finished reading Snow Crash the other day, which had some novel ideas about the origin of religion, language, and civilization in disease, all packaged in a bizarre, cyberpunk setting.
Then I just started Pale Fire by Nabokov, and boy I did not know what I was getting myself into. One of the maddest things I've ever read, though I'm enjoying the digs at the overanalytical nature of academia.
And I'm pretty much constantly in a state of reading and re-reading Tolkien.

Reading and travel are critical for personal growth. Understanding the perspectives and realities of folks in the present and past makes the world (and how you perceive it) a much more fascinating place. They will also help you appreciate how complex and unique we all are and I find with that comes an understanding and patience for our fellow man.

Reading Tolkien and Russell Kirk has had a profound influence on my life.

Shelby Foote wrote all his work on paper, no computers at all. 👍

The importance of reading bad books…you need a point of reference.🎉

My two teenage daughters are awesome and have been homeschooled so far. I have an excellent full time professional job. Most of the rest of the time I spend reading and pipe smoking. Every day starts with the Bible. I read the WSJ, history, all types of fiction, history (especially the World Wars, David McCullough, European), biography, cookbooks, the Book of Common Prayer, signs in the doctor's office, ingredient lists, my ancestor's account of his participation in the Civil War ... Some of the best are books that challenge me. I've learned tons from 'chick-lit', for example. Today I finished an excellent book: "There is no god but God" by Reza Aslan. I picked it up from my local library because I've been reading a lot of King Arthur, Tennyson and such, and have become fascinated by the "Dark Ages". What was going on in the rest of the world? Quite a bit, I'm finding out.

Any advice for a good pipe for women? It's hard to find something what's suitable for ladies. So far my choice would be Rettrays Mary light or Burgundy 163...any other suggestions?

Lol at the frozen dinner packaging of the tobacco!

When people ask me how I read so many books, I tell them to put their phone down, turn off the tv, and spend a couple hours every day reading.

You made some excellent points, Alan. When I was younger, I used to read about two books a week until "Real Life" intervened and I simply didn't have the time. I really feel the need to get back to the books now that I'm retired and actually have the time to do it. Thanks for the inspiration!

Everything J Peterson says is useless. Nothing but a drug addicted sudo intellectual to me.

Hello Dr. Harrelson. I'm a 4th year undergrad out of 5 in biomedical and mechanical engineering. I honestly do feel like I'm using my education as means to an end of getting married early and having a large family and a secure and steady paycheck.

It could just be the difference between the sciences and the humanities, but I'm trying to find a way to perhaps reframe my mindset about education, especially when it seems sometimes I'm fighting against the university trying to stick its hands deeper into my pockets.

Pray that I can read regularly, it's always been fruitful when I have, the hardest part for me is just getting started. Thank you for all you do and have a blessed day!

Greetings from New Jersey. Another vote for for a suggested reading list.

Do you read any fiction?

Great video Sir! Greetings from Ireland

You once stated that you would not narrate books on Pints with Aquinas. You said that the books should be read. I agree that they should be read by the person if the person is able.

But I believe you do a disservice by not narrating many of these good books for people to listen to. This is why:
1. There are many people who spend their days having to drive. Many truck drivers who drive coast to coast and delivery drivers and commuters would greatly benefit to listening to these books…
2. It is a sad fact that many in this country are illiterate. We may never know that, if by listening to a great book how their lives may be changed!
3. There are many sick people who cannot read and would benefit from having a great book being being played out loud.

You have a soothing voice and a wonderful southern accent that many people would enjoy hearing. I think you should reconsider narrating books.

My father read to me as a child. My favorite book was Swiss family Robinson. But another one was Aesops fables. It’s a memory I hold close to my chest even now at 43.

Well said...

So many well said points!

Reading,walking,pipe smoking,contemplating.- doing very important work.

I love a good book while smoking a good pipe tobacco

I absolutely loved this video, I am 32 and only started reading a couple years ago. I wish I started reading a while back because I've gained so much knowledge through reading.

Would love some more videos on books and I also love history. I'm from the UK and I'm reading WINSTON CHURCHILL series of books at the moment, explaining about his rise into the English government and his time navigating threw ww2.

I went to Franciscan University and that degree did not make me a lot of money, but it formed me in my faith and gave me a firm foundation for lifelong reading and learning. It was money well spent - even if I wish it could have also made me money. I had to study other things for that.

I wish our society valued philosophy and thinking more than they do. It would be a far better society if it did. Thank God I know He values it...

Recently I have gotten into classic literature. It is unparalleled in its richness. Recently read Crime and Punishment, Call of the Wild, Saint Augustine’s Confessions, Anna Karenina and Frankenstein. Lots of people asking for recommendations. I have greatly benefited from the books I listed above.

HOW do you find 4 hours for reading every day?

Beef jerky!

Dawkin book the selfish gene is the most important biology theory after Darwin.

Jordan perterson is just a mess... subversive. Look for a video of him : i cant do it

I'm 22, and I have always loved reading. I fear it is a dying act among my generation, and the same phenomenon can be attributed to pipes and cigars, which I am also a true enthusiast for. I have 100 or so books right now - a modest collection but one filled with quality works. I am currently reading "The Master and Margarita - M. Bulgakov" and, funnily enough, "Tobacco - I. Gately"

I could not imagine life without reading; how dreadfully dull and unstimulating it would be!

Agreed.

A lot of people can't actually read. Forgive me if this is worded weird, I'm not very articulate. But the youth for a number of years have been taught to read in a "heiroglyphic" manner, not phonetically. Look into this, it's disturbing. I think it is on purpose as people are "educated" in a manner more akin to worker bee creation. They don't want critical thinkers that can reject the antichristian spirit and culture.

You are the same man ten years from today, except for the people you meet and the books you read.

I recently had a custom pipe made by Ardor. Their customer service and craftsmanship is outstanding!

All are invited, few will come.

I spent a long time not reading and gave away most of my book collection, as I had read a considerable body of garbage thought. I'm happily reading now, and I concur that old books must at least balance current reading material. Greetings from old Blighty.

I appreciate your in sites and videos. You present a very well-rounded platform. From learning about pipes as a newcomer to the pipe community, to the intellectual and even spiritual conversations, I want to extend my gratitude. Please continue this. Also, I agree with some of the other commenters about a curiosity of literature that you enjoy.

Hilarious tv dinner tray comment ! I thought it before you mentioned it ahahahaha

If you care about reason and truth truth is bound by reason. Not faith. Faith is credulous. You seem to start from the Bible not reason. All must start from reason and go from there.