I have always been a fan of Will and Ariel Durant. I read what was then the 9 volume set before I graduated from junior high. (I finished the other two, newer, tomes comprising their entire History of Civilization when they were published in 1975.) These eminently readable books helped me learn history- more than I learned in school or from other books.
I’ve written about prejudice and hate in the world (on my blog and other places such as Reflections of a Redhead). It’s something that is taught by parents to their children. It’s something that makes this world just a little tougher to survive.
Today is a holiday. The second day of Purim (“Lots”). My family has always celebrated Shushan Purim, the name for the second day; most Ashkenazi Jews only celebrate it, if they live in walled cities like Jerusalem or Quebec.) The Purim holiday celebrates the ploys of Esther (also known as Hadassah), the Jewish Queen of Babylonia, and her uncle (godfather?) Mordechai.