LETTER: ADAM SMITH WOULD LIKE PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr H. R. F. Keating
Sir: Madsen Pirie (Polemic, 24 February), as one might expect of the president of the Adam Smith Institute, has his head stuffed full of misconceptions. Just two: (1) that public libraries were created to bring literacy to the masses. Wrong. It was to bring books to the masses, beneficial books; (2) that Deighton is justified if he leads to Dickens. No. Deighton is justified because he is a fine novelist, showing us what life at a deep level is about.
Even had Mr Pirie chosen a fiction writer much cruder than Len Deighton, he would still be atrociously blinkered. What he has failed to grasp - like, let me say, not a few others - is that what fiction does, even at a low level, is to force readers to see through others' eyes. And books, because they make a small demand on their readers, do this much more effectively than skimmy TV.
A nation where people can see the other's point-of-view is a happy nation. Any government should make sure libraries are there in numbers and fully stocked.
Yours,
H. R. F. KEATING
London, W2
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments