Our road is now to lead us across a dreary waste exhibiting scarcely a vestige of civilization.
William H. Prescott, The History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella
Traveling with my wife and son this week, we have slowly made our way out of the Pacific North West and into the place the Spanish prophetically named for a Caliphate:
California.
Staying with friends and family between the days of driving, I have made it a habit to check in at one room in each of these generous houses:
The Library.
I rarely go to public libraries to preview intros and chapters of book I’d otherwise not pick up. But guided by a loved one in a room reflecting their own mind I find myself having stolen little slices of heaven.
I thumbed through a book on Transcendentalism by Philip F Gura the first evening. The next a volume on Henry VIII. Last night it was The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte.
I wish more people would share with the world their libraries.
It was reading that began to restore light to the dreary wastelands of the world.
Until next week,
-Steven
Not sure why I missed this when I first read your bookshelf tour post, but a few link clicks and I think I'm on my way to ordering Bibliotheca... I don't know why it's so mind-blowing to have the numbers & verses removed!
What a novel and intriguing focus for one's pilgrimage.