There are books in the upper echelon of make-you-think works. B.F. Skinner's controversial (to this day) book on human behavior, "Beyond Freedom and Dignity," is high on that list.

Skinner was a psychologist who wrote, sought social reform and taught at Harvard from 1958 until his retirement in 1974.

This 1971 book created a stir within his field, as well as reviews and critiques that go on to this day. He touched a very human nerve that took interest in the book beyond the scientific field and onto the best selling lists.

Goodreads.com said, "'Beyond Freedom and Dignity' urges us to re-examine the ideals we have taken for granted and to consider the possibility of a radically behaviorist approach to human problems - one that has appeared to some incompatible with those ideals, but which envisions the building of a world in which humankind can attain its greatest possible achievements."

Are we what we are from the inside out or the outside in?

"Two features of autonomous man are particularly troublesome," Skinner wrote. "In the traditional view a person is free. He is autonomous in the sense that his behavior is uncaused. He can therefore be held responsible for what he does and justly punished if he offends. That view, together with its associated practices, must be re-examined when a scientific analysis reveals unsuspected controlling relations between behavior and environment."

You can follow up on Skinner's own later thoughts on his work. He appeared to become skeptical of man's ability or willingness to change his behavior to achieve a better world.

Books that are food for thought based on rational and honest thinking will forever be treasures. This is such a book, whatever one may conclude from its contents.

"We shouldn't teach great books; we should teach a love of reading. Knowing the contents of a few works of literature is a trivial achievement. Being inclined to go on reading is a great achievement. 
- Richard Isadore Evans, "B. F. Skinner: The Man and His Ideas" (1968)

From the Enoch Pratt Free Library comes Morgan Stanton, Edmondson Avenue Branch manager, with a look at one slice of this business of television.

"I recommend 'Reflections: An Oral History of Twin Peaks' by Brad Dukes, especially for fans of the groundbreaking cult series that ran from 1990-1991 who are now looking forward to the 2017 reboot," Stanton says. "The cast and crew offer candid insights into their experience - the joys of their creative process along with their disappointments. One refreshing thing I got out of the book was that, for the most part, the cast and crew genuinely seemed to like and respect one another."

Morgan, I am happy to say that same environment exists for the crew covering the Orioles. Thanks.

Gary Thorne is the play-by-play voice of the Orioles on MASN, and the 2015 season is his ninth with the club and 30th covering Major League Baseball. His blog will appear regularly throughout the season. The Orioles and Sarasota County have partnered on the Big League Reader Program, which rewarded kids who read three books in February with tickets to a Grapefruit League game at Ed Smith Stadium in March.

* Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne. © Copyright 2015 Gary F. Thorne. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Gary F. Thorne and MASNsports.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.