READ poster features Lynn business professor Ralph Norcio

Lynn Library’s latest READ poster features business professor Ralph Norcio. Professor Norcio chose the book “The Once and Future King” by T.H. White. Regarding his selection, Dr. Norcio states,

“What most makes an impact on me as I read or watch TV or a movie is the character development. My favorite character of all time is King Arthur in T.H. White’s The Once and Future King. Arthur is a very likeable person who possesses great nobility but a man who is flawed. One of the underlying themes in the book is education. Arthur loves to learn and apply the knowledge. He is particularly effective when under the tutelage of Merlin. When he becomes less committed to learning and less involved with his tutor, his ideas stagnate which leads to the demise of his kingdom. The lesson for all is never to stop learning or to stop gathering a wide range of opinions.

What brought this book back to me so vividly was teaching a dialogue course in justice and civic life. A key concept in the book is that people need to learn alternatives to the notion that might equals right. Arthur, as king, is always seeking ways to bring greater justice to his kingdom. His ideals are noble but practicality sometimes interferes with the implementation. For Arthur, life, especially his adult life, was a struggle, but always well worth it.”

Lynn Library began its READ program in Spring 2008 and has published over a dozen posters. Posters have featured Lynn faculty and students posing with their favorite book. Previous READ posters can be viewed online.