During our discussion with Anne Husted Burleigh about her biography of John Adams she mentioned the importance of the fact that the members of the constitutional convention had all read essentially the same great books. These included works such as the Bible, Shakespeare, Plato, Locke, and Cicero. She mentioned that in a way "you are a result of the books you read," and that this shared education created a "common culture" among the founders. These books served both as inspiration for the ideas behind the creation of the constitution, as well as providing a sense of unity and brotherhood among those writing it.
This made us think of a connection to the McConnell Center. During our studies here, each scholar will read most of the same books as the other scholars. This aids our learning because we have common points of reference, as well as the ability to make connections to past works and to other scholars. "Which is more rewarding, having a conversation with a friend about simple events, or discussing a book you have read and how it relates to your lives?" asked Anne. "True friendships are more likely to be formed from relationships that involve the later."
I had to agree with her. Immediately as she said this I looked around the room to see several people that I have had really meaningful conversations with about things that we have learned in the McConnell Center. I hadn't realized how much books and discussion had fostered my relationships with them. Maybe this is part of the reason the McConnell Center has been so successful in bringing people and ideas of leadership together.