I know it’s a little late for the holiday season, but for a nice post-holiday read I’d like to recommend Political Philosophy Comes to Rick’s: Casablanca and American Civic Culture, edited by James F. Pontuso. This collection of essays is a nice read for fans of Casablanca, of course, especially with its combination of production background information, character analysis and historical context.

More importantly its exposition of American civic culture and political philosophy against the backdrop of Casablanca can also be a refreshing reminder of certain civic values which though constantly under attack are sorely needed in any age, especially ours.