{"id":11631,"date":"2024-05-22T09:00:06","date_gmt":"2024-05-22T09:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/classicalconversations.com\/?p=11631"},"modified":"2025-05-02T02:55:22","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T02:55:22","slug":"desert-island-books","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/classicalconversations.com\/blog\/desert-island-books\/","title":{"rendered":"The Desert Island Game: Leigh Bortins’ Top 5 Books"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

I have been asked to share the 5 titles I\u2019d bring on a deserted island. And I\u2019m not allowed to say The Bible because it is too obvious. Of course, it\u2019d be my first book because man doesn\u2019t live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, and I\u2019d like to live.<\/p>\n

I chose to limit myself to five books that are actually on my bookshelf, and I\u2019ve been known to use now and then rather than think of fantastical options that may not live up to their hype.<\/p>\n

Top 5 Books to Read on a Desert Island<\/h2>\n

The Law <\/em>by Frederic Bastiat<\/h3>\n

I\u2019d bring Frederic Bastiat\u2019s The Law<\/em><\/a>, written in 1848, so I\u2019d have the words to help my new neighbors understand individual responsibility. I may not have any neighbors at first, but one never knows when a clever pirate will show up, and I want to be ready!<\/p>\n

Bastiat said things like:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would be impossible, therefore, to introduce into society a greater change and a greater evil than this\u2014the conversion of the law into an instrument of plunder\u201d and \u201cThus, since an individual cannot lawfully use force against the person, liberty, or property of another individual, then the common force \u2013 for the same reason \u2013 cannot lawfully be used to destroy the person, liberty, or property of individuals or groups.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Bastiat would be decidedly against school choice and pro-choice funding.\u00a0 He knew killing a child\u2019s mind is as perverted as killing a child.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Joy of Cooking<\/em> by Irma S. Rombauer<\/h3>\n

I\u2019d bring The Joy of Cooking<\/em><\/a> by Irma S. Rombauer (the 1975 edition) so I could preserve and cook like my mother. No air fryers or microwaves in existence when it was written. The only beadmaker was a strong woman\u2019s hands. Women worldwide were known for grabbing the book while being bombed during the 20th century\u2019s massive destruction bred by massive secularism. If I had to go to a deserted island, it\u2019s probably because people I know are being bombed. Nothing new under the sun and all that.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Square Foot Gardening<\/em> by Mel Bartholomew<\/h3>\n

I\u2019d bring Square Foot Gardening<\/em><\/a> by Mel Bartholomew (the original 1981 version\u2014I don\u2019t like versions with “New” in the title) so I could grow food in stunted, barren conditions requiring a lot of conservation of energy and minimal fertilizers. Mel\u2019s chapter called “Extending the Season” is equally important in both hot and cold dry climates. Remember, Antarctica is a desert. I saw the available resources on my trip there, and I\u2019d have to eat a lot of penguins if that\u2019s where I landed. Fortunately, The Joy of Cooking<\/em> explains how to prepare birds.<\/p>\n

\"Square<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reader’s Digest Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual <\/em><\/h3>\n

I\u2019d bring Reader\u2019s Digest Complete Do-it-yourself Manual<\/em><\/a> published in 1973 because it was written without \u00a0digital technology in mind. Just the basics. Also, the title and the chapter titles aren\u2019t in all caps, which is interesting to think about\u2014apparently, I would not have been welcome as a Readers Digest editor. The chapters titled “Working with wood,” “Working with concrete,” and “Major and minor exterior repairs” provide useful information. Probably not as helpful as the Primitive Technology guys on YouTube who dig swimming pools with sticks in the sand, but I\u2019ve seen a lot of those videos and would probably remember what to do.<\/p>\n

\"Complete<\/p>\n

The Chronicles of Narnia<\/em><\/h3>\n

I\u2019d also bring my hardbound version of the complete The Chronicles of Narnia<\/em><\/a> so I could reimagine all the great myths that made civilization civilized.<\/p>\n

‘Why have your followers all drawn their swords, may I ask?’ said Aslan.<\/p>\n

‘May it please Your High Majesty,’ said the second Mouse, whose name was Peepiceek, ‘we are all waiting to cut off our own tails if our Chief must go without his. We will not bear the shame of wearing an honor which is denied to the High Mouse.’<\/p>\n

‘Ah!’ roared Aslan. ‘You have conquered me. You have great hearts. Not for the sake of your dignity, Reepicheep, but for the love that is between you and your people, and still more for the kindness your people showed me long ago when you ate away the cords that bound me on the Stone Table (and it was then, though you have long forgotten it, that you began to be Talking Mice), you shall have your tail again.’<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I want to live in a world where I am conquered by great hearts.<\/p>\n

\"Chronicles<\/p>\n

And Here’s How You Win the Desert Island Game<\/h2>\n

If I was allowed to bring anything, I\u2019d rather bring my 5 family members than 5 books. I\u2019d bring David because he is funny, can shoot guns, and knows how to jump out of helicopters. I\u2019d bring William because he loves to think about the transcendent. I\u2019d bring John because he can build anything with a stick and a plumbline. I\u2019d bring Robert because he weep with those who weep. And I\u2019d bring Rob because no duty would be left undone.<\/p>\n

And since the Bible says our spouses are one flesh, I wouldn\u2019t be breaking any rules by bringing our daughters-in-law and grandchildren. These women raise curious and imaginative grandchildren, believe homemaking is a worthy endeavor mysteriously connected to eternity, and are as gifted in hospitality as they are in enterprise.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d only request that each of them be allowed to bring five books. Then we would arrive with an entire library.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you’d like more book recommendations, check out Leigh Bortins’ list of best books for homeschoolers<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I have been asked to share the 5 titles I\u2019d bring on a deserted island. And I\u2019m not allowed to say The Bible because it is too obvious. Of course, it\u2019d be my first book because man doesn\u2019t live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, and I\u2019d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":87,"featured_media":11632,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3144,3146],"tags":[3115],"class_list":["post-11631","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-resources","tag-leigh-bortins"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Desert Island Game: Leigh Bortins' Top 5 Books - Classical Conversations<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Education pioneer Leigh Bortins shares her top five desert island books (along with her plan for civilizing the island).\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/classicalconversations.com\/blog\/desert-island-books\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Desert Island Game: Leigh Bortins' Top 5 Books - 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