A book in every home: Containing three subjects : Eds Sweet Sixteen, domestic and political views
by Edward Leedskalnin
Category: Philosophy

Edward Leedskalnin (1887-1951) was an eccentric Latvian emigrant to the United States and amateur sculptor who, it is alleged, single-handedly built the monument known as Coral Castle in Florida. He was also known for his unusual theories on magnetism. His first and longest booklet, "A Book in Every Home," a treatise on moral education, was printed on only the left-hand pages, and began with the following preface: "Reader, if for any reason you do not like the things I say in the little book, I left just as much space as I used, so you can write your own opinion opposite it and see if you can do better." In the first section, Leedskalnin vents his anger at his "Sweet Sixteen," arguing that girls should be kept pure, and that boys are primarily a soiling influence upon them. The second section continues along the theme of moral education, with several aphorisms aimed at parents regarding the proper way to raise children. The last, "Political" section, reveals that the reclusive Leedskalnin had strong political views. He advocates voting for property owners only (and in proportion to their holdings), and argues that "Anyone who is too weak to make his own living is not strong enough to vote." Some writers have suggested that Leedskalnin's booklet contains further information on his electromagnetic research and philosophies encoded in its pages, and the blank pages are provided for the reader to fill in their decrypted solutions. It has also been suggested that Leedskalnin's frequent referral to his "Sweet Sixteen" may in fact refer to the numerological and/or scientific relevance of the number sixteen to his research and theories.