This morning I finished reading Lafayette by Harlow Giles Unger. In the preface there was a quote by John Stuart Mill about Lafayette: "He was not the influence of genius, not even of talents; it was the influence of a heroic character. It was the influence of one who, in every situation, and throughout a long life, had done and suffered everything which opportunity had presented itself of doing and suffering for the right...Honor be to his name, while the record of human worth shall be preserved among us! It will be long ere we see his equal, long ere there shall rise such a union of character and circumstances as shall enable any other human being to live such a life."
I knew that Lafayette was a great man but this biography helped to realize how incredibly great he truly was. He faced unbelievable trials and afflictions, including personal attacks. Yet, he stayed true to his principles through it all. His life has inspired me to be a better person and a better leader...and to cultivate friendships with people of the highest calibre. This is what biographies of great people can do for us. Therefore, we want to find ways to introduce our Esperanza scholars to biographies and autobiographies of excellent men and women throughout history who can inspire them.
Showing posts with label biographies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label biographies. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Awakening a Love for History
Abigail Adams, writing one of her many letters to her husband, John, who was off in Philadelphia working to put the Declaration of Independence through Congress, wrote, "Posterity who are to reap the blessings, will scarcely be able to conceive the hardships and sufferings of their ancestors."
We are the ones reaping the blessings of those who paved the way for us. We have so much to learn from these courageous souls who didn't know how things were going to turn out. They were living in their present, just as we do. Reading biographies, autobiographies, historical fiction, trade books about events, etc. will give us a much richer understanding of historical times than memorizing dates and events.
David McCullough who has a great passion and love for history and has written a number of books about history told BYU students at a forum assembly on the 27th of September 2005, "...pursue it [history] avidly, with diligence, with attention. I hope you do this not just because it will make you a better citizen, and it will; not just because you learn a great deal about human nature and about cause and effect in your own lives, as well as the life of the nation, which you will; but as a source of strength, as an example of how to conduct yourself in difficult times...But I hope you also will find history to be a source of pleasure."
We owe it to our Esperanza scholars to awaken in them a love for history.
We are the ones reaping the blessings of those who paved the way for us. We have so much to learn from these courageous souls who didn't know how things were going to turn out. They were living in their present, just as we do. Reading biographies, autobiographies, historical fiction, trade books about events, etc. will give us a much richer understanding of historical times than memorizing dates and events.
David McCullough who has a great passion and love for history and has written a number of books about history told BYU students at a forum assembly on the 27th of September 2005, "...pursue it [history] avidly, with diligence, with attention. I hope you do this not just because it will make you a better citizen, and it will; not just because you learn a great deal about human nature and about cause and effect in your own lives, as well as the life of the nation, which you will; but as a source of strength, as an example of how to conduct yourself in difficult times...But I hope you also will find history to be a source of pleasure."
We owe it to our Esperanza scholars to awaken in them a love for history.
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