printI’m not tooting my own horn, I promise. That would be bad form. What’s satisfying about the following post (other than who it afflicts), however, is that it’s by a young reader on “The Hip Forums” (not yet “done with school”), whose interest in libertarianism was stirred by my writing. About one thing he is unfortunately mistaken: my general knowledge is not very good:
“Ilana Mercer is the best damn essayist I have encountered, right up there with Justin Raimondo (another libertarian), although she arguably surpasses him. Her analytical rigor and verbal fluency astound me (it’s not uncommon for me to have to check the dictionary one or two times when reading her essays), and she is just so reasonable and yet iconoclastic. She also has an amazing store of general knowledge.
I cannot say I am a libertarian, because only recently have I started reading her essays, but I plan on learning more about the ideology once I am done with school and have more free time.”
Update: I am posting here a comment and my reply. The comment was originally appended to the wrong post:
Ilana,
While you may reject my recommendations for documentary movies i.e. “must-see” titles, I most certainly respect your global political acumen. [I don’t recall rejecting anything…]
Could you please describe the genesis of the “classical” part of your liberal persona, so that I might offer some sage advice to my daughters, who apparently adore you?
A list of essential readings would be appreciated, as they are both in university, and still impressionable.
Autographed photos might suffice, for now….
Mercer Reply:
Your dear daughters are clearly gems who have an instinct for the philosophy of freedom, upon which this great country was founded, and which it has since abandoned. Rejoice that they have come to this philosophy while in the academy; it usually inculcates in the young everything but Jeffersonian ideas.
If by quizzing me you imply that they may need to be steered away from the American ideas of individualism and self-government —then it is you who may need their counsel more than they yours.
I wish I had time to correspond at length, but I don’t. (Please tell your girls how buoyed I am that there are youngsters in the left-liberal academy who think independently as they do. I’d love them to partake on my blog. I extend an invitation.)
My columns/essays almost always include references. It’s about taking the time to work through the columns and extract the references. I have links on my Links Page to great classical liberal sites. My website is easy to navigate. Begin with Ludwig von Mises, Ayn Rand, Henry Hazlitt, Murray Rothbard, Frederic Bastiat, F. A. Hayek, and the great heroes of the Old Right, such as Felix Morley, Frank Chodorov, Garet Garrett, and John T. Flynn.
Thank you for telling me about your lovely girls.
—ILANA
By Michael on 04.07.07 3:58 pm
I also do swan dives into my Funk & Wagnell when reading Mercer’s essays and I’ve been out of school for decades. I’m not a libertarian and probably never will be [actually you are a libertarian] but am glad to see this young person heading somewhere positive instead of blindly charging to the left like most students seem to do.
Good work Ilana. You’re helping to develop a few thinkers out there.
Kind of reminds me of me. When I was still in school, I had a strong urge to figure things out for myself. I was led to believe that neither Republicans nor Democrats were right, and in fact, were incredibly wrong about everything. That’s when the Great Search began…
I can personally testify to the effectiveness of using IlanaMercer.com to treat chronic symptoms of dittohead.
Ms Mercer,
I wasn’t sure how to address you, Ms Mercer or Ilana, and since I don’t know you except through your writings, I went with Ms Mercer.
I first become aware of you and your writings about a year and a half ago through your website. My thoughts at that time were, “Wow, here is a good-looking woman who has something to say and knows how to say it”. About a year ago, I purchased your book “Broadsides”, read it and thought “Wow, she is as good-looking as ever, her words are powerful, but I disagree with some of what you write, wasn’t quite sure on some of the other things you were saying and on other things, I totally agree”.
Well, the past couple of days, I picked up your book and started reading it again. Because of events that have transpired since the last time I read your book and now, a lot more of what you are saying is clicking and making sense. What I want to do now, is to research some of the other authors and their works that your mention throughout your book. You have opened my mind to different things, I may not agree with them, but I’m willing to read them and see where they lead.
I still think you are a good looking woman, but you have also challenged me to not always accept the “norm” and to question those things I’m unsure about. So, thank you.
Keep writing and I’ll keep reading
Jim