A Personal Canon

What follows is a collection of things that have shaped my thinking, things I email people, things I return to often. If you are familiar with a literary canon, it’s kinda like that.

Language

While I have read a great deal on language learning & acquisition over the years, Dr. James Marvin Brown’s From the Outside In has probably been one of the most influential. This autobiography is not purely about language acquisition but does provide the full story of how Dr. Brown arrived at his Automatic Language Growth approach (or system). If you’re short on time, skip ahead to Chapter 6 and Chapter 7.

Brad West, a former AUA Thai student and ALG student, documented his Thai acquisition experiences. His experiences give hope to those wanting to learn a language through natural methods.

Dr. Jeff Brown, a Spanish professor, conducted a one-year experiment, during which he naturally acquired Egyptian Arabic predominantly through extensive listening and extensive experiences, entirely in the target language. His hour-long documentary follows the tutoring process as well as the full immersion experience in Egypt. I routinely send this to fellow language learners as well as potential teachers & tutors.

Religion

The Rad Trad’s book review of The Banished Heart ‘(by Dr. Geoffrey Hull)’ provides a short, but surprisingly complete, overview of the modern state of affairs in Western Christianity. Whenever I am next in the States, I hope to pick up the actual book.

Way of the Pilgrim

The Russian Church and the Papacy by Vladimir Sergeyevich Solovyov

Personal Finance

The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins

History

Last Crusade: Spain 1936 by Warren H. Carroll

Other Goodness

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

Deep Work by Cal Newport