The Essential Calhoun (Library of Conservative Thought) (Paperback)

~ Clyde N. Wilson (Editor, Introduction), Russell Kirk (Foreword, Introduction), Clyde H. Wilson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Calhoun was one of the giants of 19th-century American history. In the years prior to the Civil War, he served as both a theorist and an active politician on behalf of states rights and as a foreign policy expert in Washington. Conservatives, particularly those with a libertarian bent, have long lauded Calhoun for his political philosophy, elucidated in speeches, letters, and thousands of published documents. Editor Wilson, who also serves as editor of The Papers of John C. Calhoun (Univ. of South Carolina Pr., ten volumes, 20 projected), here has taken what he considers the most vital of Calhoun's massive production and presented it in a single volume. For those who care only for Calhoun's political philosophy stripped of its historical context or those who know his life and times extremely well, this collection may be useful. However, Wilson provides virtually no historic context for the documents. There are no footnotes to explain references within the text. The result is a disappointing historic edition of the best of Calhoun.
- Charles K. Piehl, Mankato State Univ., Minn.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"A marvelous collection, put together by the foremost authority on John C. Calhoun, and an absolutely essential book for the study of the great South Carolina statesman and political philosopher! Professor Wilson's extraordinary introduction and selection of materials reflect his vast knowledge of the history of the scholarship on Calhoun and the various ways in which he is still oversimplified by those who have passionate opinions about his work but have never read him. Also a valuable introduction to the great debates which foreshadow the War between the States. As much of Calhoun as may be usefully gathered in one volume!" -- M.E. Bradford, University of Dallas

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Product Details

• Paperback: 460 pages
• Publisher: Transaction Publishers (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765806673
• ISBN-13: 978-0765806673
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,975,818 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Attacking Calhoun is not a review of the book, December 9, 2006

By	a reader - See all my reviews

John C. Calhoun was a man who defended the ideas of States' Rights (also pushed by Thomas Jefferson by the way) and Nullification. The Senator from South Carolina was one of the most eloquent defenders of the South. Dr. Wilson is an expert on Calhoun, having compiled his papers into 28 large volumes. For those who do not want to spend that much time reading, this book is an excellent distillation of those papers into one volume.

0 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Calhoun: Racist Southerner and Pro-Slaver, June 29, 2006

By	BUKOWSKI BUM (EAST LA) - See all my reviews

His ideas are regularly regurgitated by Neo-Confederates and others who are still enamored of slavery and Jim Crow.