Rushdoony's Library
I've been tied up recently with numerous deadlines, projects, and meetings; and, therefore, unable to post anything of significance lately. Today is no exception. HOWEVER, I do have some images to show you.
I was recently "hanging out" in Rushdoony's massive personal library. Mark Rushdoony and I were escorting a film crew recording a documentary that includes an examination of R. J. Rushdoony, Chalcedon, and Christian Reconstruction. I took advantage of the moment to snap a few photos to provide you with a little perspective on the size of Rush's study. Here's a shot of Mark standing in the library.
There's no way to take a wide shot, so I photographed each of the five long rows of bookshelves, and pieced them together to convey the breadth and depth of his personal collection. Bear in mind that there were floor-to-ceiling shelves lining the entire back wall at the end of the bookshelves, and more shelves behind me from where I was shooting. Unreal.
While standing in between the cramped shelves, I told Mark I wanted to get a shot of one of the insides of a book to show you some of Rush's personal indexing. Mark said, "well, we just have to look." The first volume he grabbed was highlighted and indexed. Did I expect anything less?
This particular book shows Rush's personal index, and what you can't see is that he usually wrote the date and location of the reading. In this instance the book was read in Santa Cruz, CA in 1961.
Rushdoony had read the majority of the books in this library. He then wrote upwards of 50 books and monographs -- several of the books being massive themselves.
This is why I'm always astonished at the sheer disrespect shown this tireless scholar. Agree or disagree, you need to show respect for his work ethic. He bore a giant intellect, a profound memory, impeccable writing skills, and incredible analytical acumen. Critics dismiss him in the harshest terms, yet he could easily undo their most complex positions. It takes more than a "theocracy watch" or critical liberal blogger to contend with the prolific work of R. J. Rushdoony. But they keep trying.
I was recently "hanging out" in Rushdoony's massive personal library. Mark Rushdoony and I were escorting a film crew recording a documentary that includes an examination of R. J. Rushdoony, Chalcedon, and Christian Reconstruction. I took advantage of the moment to snap a few photos to provide you with a little perspective on the size of Rush's study. Here's a shot of Mark standing in the library.
There's no way to take a wide shot, so I photographed each of the five long rows of bookshelves, and pieced them together to convey the breadth and depth of his personal collection. Bear in mind that there were floor-to-ceiling shelves lining the entire back wall at the end of the bookshelves, and more shelves behind me from where I was shooting. Unreal.
While standing in between the cramped shelves, I told Mark I wanted to get a shot of one of the insides of a book to show you some of Rush's personal indexing. Mark said, "well, we just have to look." The first volume he grabbed was highlighted and indexed. Did I expect anything less?
This particular book shows Rush's personal index, and what you can't see is that he usually wrote the date and location of the reading. In this instance the book was read in Santa Cruz, CA in 1961.
Rushdoony had read the majority of the books in this library. He then wrote upwards of 50 books and monographs -- several of the books being massive themselves.
This is why I'm always astonished at the sheer disrespect shown this tireless scholar. Agree or disagree, you need to show respect for his work ethic. He bore a giant intellect, a profound memory, impeccable writing skills, and incredible analytical acumen. Critics dismiss him in the harshest terms, yet he could easily undo their most complex positions. It takes more than a "theocracy watch" or critical liberal blogger to contend with the prolific work of R. J. Rushdoony. But they keep trying.
