Michael Perry’s philosophical journey began on a gurney.
The author from New Auburn suffered from a kidney stone that led him to discover the philosophical writings of Michel de Montaigne, widely considered the father of the essay.
Montaigne lived in Bordeaux, France, from 1533 to 1592. Counted among the most important philosophers of his era, he is well-known for taking the humble essay to a different level and turning it into a literary genre. Many of his essays were autobiographical or anecdotal in nature.
The Menomonie Public Library picked Perry’s latest book “Montaigne in Barn Boots: An Amateur Ambles Through Philosophy” as the 2018 Menomonie Reads book. Menomonie Reads is a community read with book discussions.
“It is witty and humorous,” said Ted Stark, Menomonie library director. “It’s short essays you can read. You can put it down and come back and read another one. You don’t have to be a philosopher to understand it.”
Monica Berrier, UW-Stout lecturer in the department of English and philosophy, is the honorary scholar during Menomonie Reads. At 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, at the library, 600 Wolske Bay Road, Berrier will lead an interactive presentation to delve deeper into Montaigne’s philosophy and apply his practical words of wisdom to people’s lives.
Berrier said one of the librarians contacted her about participating in Menomonie Reads.
“The reason I like philosophy is that I am a very analytical person,” Berrier said. “There is no end to the questions to be asked. Philosophy teaches us not to take things for granted but to ask questions and think deeply about what we do.”
Perry will read, discuss and sign books in the Ballrooms of the Memorial Student Center at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 15. He is a New York Times best-selling author, humorist, playwright and radio show host.
Raised on a small Midwestern dairy farm, Perry put himself through nursing school while working on a ranch in Wyoming, then wandered into writing. He serves on a volunteer fire and rescue service and is an intermittent pig farmer, according to his website, Sneezingcow.com. He hosts the nationally syndicated Tent Show Radio and tours with his band the Long Beds.
Berrier said Perry does a very good job of making Montaigne approachable to the average reader. “Perry makes Montaigne read like an interesting guy you could meet today,” Berrier said.
Berrier, who rides the English form of dressage, which she equates to “ballet for horses,” said she enjoys horseback riding because much like philosophy there is always a problem to be solved and a new challenge. Her doctoral dissertation was entitled “Rethinking Aesthetic Concepts: Lessons from the Art of Classical Dressage.”
Berrier hopes Perry’s book opens the world of philosophy to a new audience.
“Some people will pick up the book and get bit by the philosophy bug,” she said. “They are going to want to learn more about it. I think it is a wonderful opportunity to bring philosophy to a wider audience. Philosophy is something that can be lived and not just studied. This is a good opportunity for people to work philosophy into their lives.”
Philosophy focuses on living a good life and determining what a good life is, Berrier said.
Her favorite essay in Perry’ book is “Roughneck Intersectionality.” Perry writes about how social identities intersect in relation to our backgrounds, experiences, oppression and discrimination.
“This related directly to teaching multicultural philosophy and having to see problems through other people’s perspectives,” Berrier said.
A final public discussion on the book will be held at the public library at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22.
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Photos
UW-Stout department of English and philosophy lecturer Monica Berrier with her dressage horse, Bishop. Berrier is the honorary scholar for the 2018 Menomonie Reads.
Michael Perry
