Lens-Artists Challenge #351: Books
Reading is essential and can put the world at your fingertips. It will bring mental stimulation and cognitive enhancement, not to mention knowledge acquisition and an expanded worldview. The photo above features a set of favorite books I keep closely on my desk, which cover basic facts about Texas wildlife, wildflowers, parks, and nature preservation and conservation. As a recent graduate of the Texas Master Naturalist program, I am sure this small collection will expand by leaps and bounds.
I captured the image specifically for Ritva’s latest book challenge. In her post, she poses two key questions to get us started. Her questions prompt us to examine what significance books hold for us when considering “the most timeless themes in existence.” Check out her post for inspiring photos. It is fascinating that books serve as powerful instruments for both knowledge and pleasure. Perhaps that explains why some legislators are trying to ban some of our most acclaimed books. They fear the power a book has in our lives.
Above, you see a one-room school in the countryside of Texas. It was in this room that a four-year-old boy began his studies. That was the start that led him to become one of the most influential presidents the USA has ever had. Former President Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Clean Air Act of 1963, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Additionally, during his term, amendments to Social Security led to the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid. It all began with the power of books in his hands.
The following two images show details of the area inside the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library on The University of Texas at Austin campus. When one stands at the bottom of those steps and looks up at the impressive number of books and documents from his presidency, one can feel the impact books have on our lives. To see full-size images, just click on each image.
I loved how you embraced Anne’s zooming challenge last week. Your creativity came through in those beautiful photos. This week, Ritva challenges us with books. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.
Next week, Sofia returns for another challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you might also be interested in others featuring Austin, Cityscapes, LBJ Library, Lens-Artists, Parks, and Texas. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Steve Schwartzman
I have the original edition of the Loughmiller book and a 2006 revision; I didn’t know there was yet a second revision. The best book for our area remains Marshall Enquist’s Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country, in case you don’t already have it [https://www.tamupress.com/book/9780961801304/wildflowers-of-the-texas-hill-country].
Egidio Leitao
That’s a 2018 edition. Thanks for the link. One more to be added to my collection.
Sofia Alves
Yes, Egídio! The power of books is here to see. That is why they always go for books when they try to condition people’s thoughts. Keeping opening them, reading them, that is a way of fighting too.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Sofia. Wise words you wrote here.
Prior...
excelent title for the post – I enjoyed all the photos but especially like the boyhood room for LBJ – such a cool shot withthe angle, flowers, wood – and of course books.
Egidio Leitao
Glad you enjoyed the post and photos. That schoolroom is a real gem. Thanks for your feedback.
Vicki
Love the image of the old schoolroom. It signals a time when books were the ultimate treasured possession and a storehouse of learning.
Such a shame most young folk are more interested in their phone screens social networks than carrying a small book to fill in time.
97% of the time I take a small book to every medical appointment and hospital stay and read it from cover to cover (when time permits). I have one book which I must have read well over 100 times and yet every reading brings new insights and pleasure. It’s battered and wrinkled on the page edges and I am seriously thinking of buying another copy and rehoming the old copy to the local charity shop.
Egidio Leitao
Great remarks you bring up here, Vicki. Thanks for your feedback. That schoolroom is a gem indeed.
Toonsarah
That old classroom is full of atmosphere. And like you I deplore the banning of books. As a former children’s and YA librarian I was always horrified at how much that seemed to happen in the US.
Egidio Leitao
Sarah, that small classroom is a joy to see. We can only look at it from the outside, but we can feel the history in the room. This nonsense about book banning in the USA is deplorable. Thank you so much for the comments.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, wonderful post! I love your first image of the books on your desk. Congratulations on becoming a Master Naturalist.
Egidio Leitao
Beth, thank you for writing. I get the feeling my desk might run out of space soon. Thanks for the compliments.
Rupali
An excellent post Egidio. Wonderful captures and their stories.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for writing, Rupali.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
The photo of the a one-room school is lovely, and I appreciate that you took a new image that shares something about you. And congrats to the graduate of the Texas Master Naturalist program 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Ritva, thanks for your guidance with this challenge as well as the inspiring photos. The small school room is an enchanting place to visit (from the outside only). Thanks for everything.
solaner
I like your druse. I guess, I’ve never seen a brown one before.
Great, that you remind everyone, that once, learning was much harder than it is nowadays and that it’s a priviledge to be entitiled to learn. Unfortunately, that’s usually not clear for the students 🙁
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your remarks, André. The druse was a gift from a friend. He said it was from Brazil.
marina
The photo of the classroom is awesome!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Marina.
Tina Schell
Well done as always Egidio. Congrats on becoming a Master Naturalist – your depth of knowledge on the subject is amazing. I also loved your image of the LBJ schoolroom. I hope you’ve read the book by Doris Kearns Goodwin called “an unfinished love story”. She gives some incredible insight into LBJ and his presidency. The book starts slowly but once you’re into it it’s marvelous.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Tina. Also thanks for the book tip. I was not familiar with it but will look for it.
Anne Sandler
I absolutely love this post Egidio! It proves that we have had presidents of high character and who have thought of the people he represented. I think the images of the presidential library are terrific.
Egidio Leitao
Anne, I tried not to be very political. I just couldn’t pass the opportunity, especially when the Texas legislature is trying to ban certain books in the classroom. Thank you for your compliment.