Reading on the importance of reading

A couple of days ago I finished reading Bildningsresan written by Leif Alsheimer, a university lecturer in law. The book delivers quite strong criticism of the educational system in Sweden, arguing that the system has lost touch with what should be it's main focus, to develop students characters and conveying values based on humanism. The author strongly advocates what could best be described as a classic liberal (arts) education, aimed at developing intellectual reasoning, empathy and critical thinking, properties the author argues are necessary in order to function as a member in a modern democratic society, and to become a complete person.

I found the book to be very well-written and with a frequent use of literary references Alsheimer delivered a very clear analysis and I could relate a large part of the theme in the book to Henry Milners Civic Literacy which I read during my first course in political science.

I thought the book was very interesting and while describing the current state of affairs in a quite dark way, it also contains a call for change and points at ways of changing from the current path to one leading in the direction to a better, more civilised society.

Now I'll continue to read Göran Rosenbergs new edition of his book Friare kan ingen vara about the development of the American society and soul. I started with it last week and so far it's quite well-written and interesing.

On a side note I'm reading several other books as well - I enjoy reading books in parallel. The current pile of books on my bedside table also contains The Story of O, Steve Martins The pleasure of my company and some others.