Around Christmas time, I finished reading Freedom Just Around the Corner: A New American History, 1585-1828 by Walter A. McDougall. One might say that I should not be reading such stuff that is off-topic as regards my thesis. But it was a good and enlightening read, and inspiring for its wit, naration and mix of small stories and broad but convincing brush-strokes.

A big thank-you note then goes to Lars since he gave me the book a while back, and it is only now that I actually got around to reading it.

The book draws its title from the Bob Dylan song:

Standing on the waters casting your bread

While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing

Distant ships sailing into the mist,

You were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was blowing.

Freedom just around the corner for you

But with truth so far off what good will it do?

Jokerman dance to nightingale tune,

Bird fly high by the light of the moon,

Oh, oh, oh Jokerman.

As I said it makes a wonderful read, and in its clear and inspiring writing style it was perhaps not that far off from the thesis writing as might appear. In any case, reading the book somehow forms a part of the Tocqueville project that Lars and I want to get going… at some point.