I once knew a man who had carved out a fine career as a writer, but had never finished college. Somewhere in his 30’s, he decided to finish his education — but on his own terms. As a family man with a full time job, he could neither afford the time nor the money to return to the traditional classroom. So he turned to books. He would pick a subject — say, congressional history or energy independence — and read six books about it, taking care to choose authors with differing perspectives and worldviews.

Why six books? I have no idea, though six books would make a more thorough study of most topics than most of us pursue outside of school.

I thought it would be interesting for us to challenge each other to the six-book challenge.

So let’s do this: Pick a topic you think other WMB citizens seem…well, a little uninformed on. A little stuck in the mud. Then recommend several books that you think might broaden their education.

Since we’re not trying to replace college knowledge, we’ll make this a bit more doable with a lower minimum number of books, while keeping the six-book ceiling. You must recommend at least three books, but no more than six, on your chosen topic — which can be anything from global warming to conservative philosophy to how the Bush administration botched Iraq to evidence for intelligent design.

If you decide to take someone’s challenge and actually read the books they recommend (which can be had on the serious cheap from Amazon’s used book sellers, BTW), please say so on the thread.

This could be velly intellesting. . .