Brooks on Books

The "Brooks" I'm referring to in the title is New York Times columnist David Brooks. "Books" stands not only books, but arts and manners generally. Among the several items that lead to my previous post about Jonathan Franzen's Freedom was a review of the novel by the same David Brooks. If you read that post, his was one of the "more or less positive" ones. Anyway, I found his review insightful, interesting, compelling even. You should take a look.

If you've read this blog for long, you'll know I've taken Brooks to task on more than one occasion. When it comes to politics, I've found him to be a conservative poseur, a man with more sympathies for, and inclinations like, those on the Left than those on the Right. And one of those inclinations that I just can't abide is the air of elitist condescension.

Nevertheless, I am forced to admit that several people I know, and trust, defend him still. They assure me that he is not only a good fellow, but, at the end of the day, on our side.

So here's the deal: If, from this point forward, Mr. Brooks promises to restrict himself to commenting exclusively on arts and manners, subjects for which he is undeniably well-qualified and well-suited, I'll give him another chance.

I'll betcha he'll be glad to hear about this.