Customer Reviews

Reading the Right Books: A Guide for the Intelligent Conservative

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"The more one reads, the more one sees we have to read."
(John Adams)

But read what? Not all books are equally valuable. As Francis Bacon once wrote, "some books are to be tasted, others are to be swallowed, and some few are to be chewed and digested." This is one of those rare discerning guides that can help reveal which recent books were the best of the best, the most pivotal in bringing innovative and important ideas to invigorate our culture.

Edwards explains, "Not all of the books in our Guide are conservative books or written by conservatives, but every book will deepen your appreciation of conservatism. ___Reading the Right Books___ aims to help fill the gaps in history, politics, economics, and similar areas created by the politically correct, illiberal education of too many colleges and universities."

For those who believe (as did great leaders like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and Ronald Reagan) that self-education is a lifelong responsibility... for those who feel misled by the mainstream media, conventional history, leftist university, or the mutterings of the masses... for those who can appreciate the transformative power of books.... this is a superlative guide to the most meaningful and regenerative ideas of the 20th century.

As one particularly thoughtful conservative had said,
"Ideas have Consequences."

This is a great little book for those interested in knowing which books to read from authors that have a conservative viewpoint. The Author has been on the scene for a long time and has been in contact with many of the Authors he prescribes.
The books listed are from the areas of conservative thought on Economics, Statesmanship, Religion (though not decidedly evangelical), American History, Totalitarianism, World History, World Politics, Public Policy, Political Culture, Unconventional Thought and Literature.
I would consider myself a lover of books and mainly of these very subjects so I was very happy to find many that I had not heard of. If you are one that doesn't like to read from the liberal perspective because your heart can't take it here is a gem of book.

Okay haters. This is a reference book for those of you who want find the best books to further study conservative ideals. From history to literature this book lists and describes what makes the listed books special. Stop looking all over online for random lists of good books for conservatives, the Heritage Foundation provides a lot of quality reads. I refer to it quite a bit.

I have liked this book very much. It has saved me much time looking in other areas for guidance.

I am not a Conservative and not a Liberal, though I would guess my positions on most things these days are closer to certain Conservative views. I say that as a kind of criticism of this book which aims to put all Conservatives in one basket, and all Liberals in another. In other words something in me opposes this simplistic way of operation, and the presumption that one side is simply all right, and the other side always wrong and stupid.
Isn't it possible that the Liberals are more right on some issues, and the Conservatives more right on others?
On the whole as it is biased with a conservitive agenda,I would not accept it all blindly . Each person has to think through every issue by themselves. And usually when we do think we do not come into total agreement with others but find areas in which we think and believe differently.

I found it informative but I'd rather think for myself. It left me feeling bullied into reading other books I might otherwise have decided against.

Whats the point of reading a book telling you what to read and think? Hint: None

Reading this book is arduous.

I'm beginning to question my own conservatism. Especially after reading books like this. How can anyone be for the rights of the individual, yet not be willing to help individuals? The book is ripe with the same hate messages conservatives have become known for. There is no such thing as compassionate conservatism is there?

..for a book so riddled with non-intellectual fact. I hope the writer's next book will be more thought provoking.

This is the manual on how to construct a bubble of ignorance around yourself to deflect any factual information from entering your mind, as such could result in empathy, intelligence, independent thought, and informed decision-making. At least it was written at a fourth grade level so it's an easy read for the author's target audience.