Debbie Laskey's Blog: FALL BACK TO READING SERIES 2025

Monday, November 10, 2025

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES 2025 – Featuring James Strock

It's that time of year again - to fall back to reading, so I've launched a repeat of my first series with that title and invited a dozen thought leaders to answer six questions about reading, books, and marketing. Join me today and continuing every Monday during November and December - ending on December 15th and with a series recap on December 21st.

A repeat guest on my blog, today's featured series participant is James Strock, an independent writer, speaker, reformer, and entrepreneur, based in Southern California. He's the author of several books about leadership, politics, Ronald Reagan, and Theodore Roosevelt - and I've had the honor of learning from him since we first met back in 2011.

QUESTION: Why did you choose the last book you read?

JAMES STROCK: The New Leviathans: Thoughts After Liberalism, by John Gray jumped out because of the author and the topic. Gray is an erudite, wide-ranging public intellectual of a type that is nearly extinct. He's fearless and unbound by political identities, the better able to discern unexpected associations between our times and others.

QUESTION: Have you ever chosen a book because you were drawn to the cover design? If yes, what was the book, and what attracted you to the cover?

JAMES STROCK: I don't select books based on their cover designs, but I do appreciate a compelling design. A recent example is Revolutionary Spring: Europe Aflame and the Fight for a New World, by Christopher Clark. The images on the front cover are evocative, including cities aflame, massed crowds, people overturning bondage. It helps one recognize that our moment is linked to the world-historic year 1848.

SHARE THIS: I don't select books based on their cover designs, but I do appreciate a compelling design. ~James Strock #FallBacktoReadingSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: Have you ever chosen a book because of its title? If yes, what was the book, and what drew you to the title?

JAMES STROCK: I was immediately drawn to Peggy Noonan's latest book, A Certain Idea of America. The reference is to Charles de Gaulle's notion of "a certain idea of France" as the unifying motivation of his life and work. At a time when the United States is rediscovering and reconsidering our founding principles, Noonan's title is timely and apt.

QUESTION: Have you ever finished reading a book, been disappointed by the ending, and thought you could have written a better ending? If yes, what was the book, and how would you have ended it?

JAMES STROCK: I read non-fiction almost exclusively and am frequently disappointed by endings. American authors — or perhaps their publishers — are prone to append concluding chapters that seem bolted on. There seems to be a desire to have things wrapped up neatly and optimistically, even where it may not be warranted.

QUESTION: Is there a social media account, a national book publisher, or book club you follow for reading recommendations?

JAMES STROCK: The Wall Street Journal book reviews are reliably thoughtful. Like many others, I pick up reading ideas from wide variety of podcasts and social media posts.

QUESTION: What book should everyone read, and why?

JAMES STROCK: The Conquest of Happiness, by Bertrand Russell. Russell's wide-ranging intellect comes down to earth with practical observations most anyone could benefit from applying now and again.

My gratitude to Jim for sharing his insights and for being a part of my fall back to reading series. Until next week, happy reading!

Image Credit: Amazon.

Read Jim's previous appearances here on my blog:

SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES 2025 – Featuring James Strock (May 2025)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2025/05/spring-leadership-series-2025-featuring_01667277768.html

HOLIDAY LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring James Strock (November 2024)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/11/holiday-leadership-series-featuring_0843516022.html

OLYMPICS LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring James Strock (July 2024)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/07/olympics-leadership-series-featuring_0590013298.html

SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring James Strock (April 2024)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/04/spring-leadership-series-featuring_0620073012.html

FALL BACK TO READING SERIES – Featuring James Strock (October 2023)