At the close of my long and storied career at Auburn, I asked a handful of individuals whose judgement I trust and opinions I value to give me a recommended reading list. No guidelines, no limitations or restrictions; just an answer to the question, "What books do you think I ought to read?" The list below is the result.

Even though I'm a fast reader, I figure I'll be dead before I finish this list. And after I looked at the list in its entirety, I found a couple of things very interesting. One, there was almost no repetition. Five different lists from five different people (if you count the Mayfields as one person), and very seldom does the same book appear twice; a remarkable circumstance in view of the general unity of thought among all of these people.

The other thing I found interesting after I looked at this compiled list was how the character of each person was revealed by the works they counted as important. Now, I realize that you probably don't know any of these folks, so you'll just have to take my word for it. But trust me, I'm right on this one. And just give you a hint of what sort of people they are, at the bottom of this list I've provided a little one- or two- line biographical note, for your curiosity.

Now, here's the list.

A Recommended Reading List

 

by Various Individuals in the Auburn-Opelika Area,
compiled in the Spring of 1997 at the Behest of

 

Tim Perkins

Recommended by Dr. Peter Doyle:

Recommended by Steve Malone:

Recommended by Mike Alsup:

Recommended by Dr. & Mrs. Jim Mayfield:

Recommended by Dr. Wayne Alderman:

Peter Doyle is pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Opelika, Alabama. About Dr. Doyle I'll only say this; two lines are not enough to give adequate account of him. Suffice to say he's had a decided effect upon many an Auburn man, myself included. In addition to being very well-read, he writes children's books. He also claims he has another page to add to his recommendations (sheesh!).

Steve Malone is the campus minister for Reformed University Fellowship at Auburn University. An Auburn alum (Class of '84), he returned to his alma mater in the summer of 1994 as RUF minister. Steve also has had a profound effect upon many an Auburn man, myself included. And he might be one of the best Bible study/discussion group leaders I know.

Mike Alsup is the associate pastor of Trinity Presbyterian, and headmaster of Trinity Christian School. Mike is also an Auburn alum (class of '84 as well--he and Steve were students together on the Plains), and a Fiji. Also a good Bible study leader.

Dr. & Mrs. Mayfield are members of Trinity. I don't know them as well as the others here, but still well enough to call them friends. During my final year at Auburn, I was part of a book discussion group that met in their home. The Mayfields were conservative before conservative was cool.

Dr. Wayne Alderman is the dean of the College of Business at Auburn. A fine southern gentleman, and also the Fiji faculty advisor. He's a busy man, but still tries to take time for some of the Fijis; I'm one of many who had the privelege of studying a couple of Richard Weaver's books with him. A man I'm gratified to call my friend.

back