Otto Scott books

[RamistThomist]

I picked up, on the cheap, Otto Scott's James I: The Fool as King and The Secret Six: John Brown and the Abolitionist Movement.

The bio on James 1 is a great read. It reads almost like a novel with penetrating psychological insight from a Calvinistic perspective. The one on John Brown is probably more relevant for today's climate, but is a harder read. Here Scott demonstrates the terror and chaos that a [-]proponent of democracy[/-] demagogue can do in politically volatile situations.

 

[toddpedlar]

I picked up, on the cheap, Otto Scott's James I: The Fool as King and The Secret Six: John Brown and the Abolitionist Movement.

The bio on James 1 is a great read. It reads almost like a novel with penetrating psychological insight from a Calvinistic perspective. The one on John Brown is probably more relevant for today's climate, but is a harder read. Here Scott demonstrates the terror and chaos that a [-]proponent of democracy[/-] demagogue can do in politically volatile situations.

I'll second the comments on James I - it was a hard book to put down. Definitely gave me reason to wish there were more written from a similar perspective about the whole period from, say, the Magna Charta era to the British Civil War.

 

[Contra_Mundum]

"Fool as King" was a compelling and interesting read--to ME (but probably not to certain other people). But be forewarned: Scott uses ZERO primary sources. I'm not questioning his presentation of facts, just be aware that this is not, strictly speaking, a work of scholarship, although it reads like an "unauthorized" biography. I have glanced at the Brown book, however, I have never had the time to read it, nor have I analyzed his bibliography. As a thoroughly American event, obviously the story would be much "closer to home", and easier to interact with primary sources.

By the way, without a doubt, the best history writer I have ever encountered, employing impeccable standards of scholarship, and writing (usually, nobody's perfect) page-turning prose: Barbara Tuchman. Wins the prize going away.

 

[lololong]

I read "Robespierre: The Fool as Revolutionary" and I enjoyed it very much.
I could not put the book down.

 

[Reformed Covenanter]

I picked up, on the cheap, Otto Scott's James I: The Fool as King and The Secret Six: John Brown and the Abolitionist Movement.

The bio on James 1 is a great read. It reads almost like a novel with penetrating psychological insight from a Calvinistic perspective. The one on John Brown is probably more relevant for today's climate, but is a harder read. Here Scott demonstrates the terror and chaos that a [-]proponent of democracy[/-] demagogue can do in politically volatile situations.

Why do Chalcedon only sell James I: The Fool as King (which is the only one I own), but not any of the rest of the series?

 

[Contra_Mundum]

I read "Robespierre: The Fool as Revolutionary" and I enjoyed it very much.
I could not put the book down.

I also enjoyed this book. A punishing critique of the first true modern "revolution", all the unspeakable wickedness done in the name of "virtue". It was fitting that Robespierre was guillotined, and that after a horrible wounding; but that part of me that is stained with a sinful desire for earthly vengeance wishes he could have been made to feel the suffering of the many that he was party to.

Indeed, a special place in hell for all such butchers. And some of them will be disturbed (no doubt) by the company they are keeping for eternity...

 

[ChristianTrader]

I picked up, on the cheap, Otto Scott's James I: The Fool as King and The Secret Six: John Brown and the Abolitionist Movement.

The bio on James 1 is a great read. It reads almost like a novel with penetrating psychological insight from a Calvinistic perspective. The one on John Brown is probably more relevant for today's climate, but is a harder read. Here Scott demonstrates the terror and chaos that a [-]proponent of democracy[/-] demagogue can do in politically volatile situations.

Why do Chalcedon only sell James I: The Fool as King (which is the only one I own), but not any of the rest of the series?

I think because that is the only book of the series, which they publish.

CT

 

[Reformed Covenanter]

I picked up, on the cheap, Otto Scott's James I: The Fool as King and The Secret Six: John Brown and the Abolitionist Movement.

The bio on James 1 is a great read. It reads almost like a novel with penetrating psychological insight from a Calvinistic perspective. The one on John Brown is probably more relevant for today's climate, but is a harder read. Here Scott demonstrates the terror and chaos that a [-]proponent of democracy[/-] demagogue can do in politically volatile situations.

Why do Chalcedon only sell James I: The Fool as King (which is the only one I own), but not any of the rest of the series?

I think because that is the only book of the series, which they publish.

CT

Oh right, that would explain it then. Who publishes the other volumes?

 

[Kevin]

I picked up, on the cheap, Otto Scott's James I: The Fool as King and The Secret Six: John Brown and the Abolitionist Movement.

The bio on James 1 is a great read. It reads almost like a novel with penetrating psychological insight from a Calvinistic perspective. The one on John Brown is probably more relevant for today's climate, but is a harder read. Here Scott demonstrates the terror and chaos that a [-]proponent of democracy[/-] demagogue can do in politically volatile situations.

I have them both, as well as most of his other works.

My copy of "The Secret Six" was gift from the great man himself and is inscribed.