Reader’s Corner: The President and the Printer, revisited

Recently a favorite devotional writer, Janet Denison, shared a quote from C.S. Lewis about the wisdom of timeless literature: “It is a good rule, after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one ‘til you have read an old one in between.” 

The context for Lewis’ remark, in an introduction to one of his own books, was his work as a tutor. He shared his puzzlement over students who, when assigned an essay on, say, Plato, would select “some dreary modern book ten times as long, all about ‘isms’ and influences,” rather than simply selecting a translation of Plato to find out what Plato actually said. 

In Denison’s example, she realized while watching the movie “Reagan,” that she was unfamiliar with the book which made such an impact on the young Ronald Reagan—Harold Bell Wright’s “That Printer of Udell’s.” During the movie, she grabbed a pen to jot down the title, then downloaded and read it that same week—and was glad she did. 

The late former President credited Wright’s novel with his decision as a teen to get baptized and follow Christ. Even during the ups and downs of life and career, it impacted his stance on many issues—speaking out against Communism’s infiltration of Hollywood unions and later, as President, opposing social programs that reduced Americans’ motivation to work. The novel incorporates the “hand up, not a handout” principle, as Christians involve local businesses and provide job training, giving the homeless the dignity of responsibility. Other elements of the book that likely influenced the President include leaving vengeance in the hands of God; the sacrifice that following Christ’s example may require; and personal integrity in tough choices. 

Janet Denison’s experience reminded me of how easy it is to read multiple opinions about a concept rather than reading the Bible and classics that have stood the test of time—for example, Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “The Cost of Discipleship” has been on my nightstand to reread since seeing the movie “Bonhoeffer,” although I’ve read blog posts and commentaries about the topic of discipleship. 

The temptation for our youth is even greater, to gravitate toward TikTok and YouTube for opinions or worse, ask for an AI summary, rather than personally reading quality literature with redemptive themes. While I’m thankful to see some Christian influencers on such platforms, I hope they steer youth toward quality classics and most of all, the Bible itself, as the basis for life choices. 

If you haven’t read Wright or Bonhoeffer lately—or at all—I encourage you to do so and pass them on to your kids and grandkids, as my mom did for me! As you’re out and about in the Ozarks this fall, let Wright’s novel “The Shepherd of the Hills” add new meaning to the Roark and Fall Creek areas; and who knows, with the influence of some classic themes, a future community leader or President may be right there in your own family!