The Conscience of a Conservative (The James Madison Library in American Politics) Revised ed. Edition

by Barry M. Goldwater (Author), Sean Wilentz (Editor, Introduction), CC Goldwater (Editor),

335 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0691131177

ISBN-10: 0691131171

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In 1960, Barry Goldwater set forth his brief manifesto in The Conscience of a Conservative. Written at the height of the Cold War and in the wake of America's greatest experiment with big government, the New Deal, Goldwater's message was not only remarkable, but radical. He argued for the value and importance of conservative principles--freedom, foremost among them--in contemporary political life. Using the principles he espoused in this concise but powerful book, Goldwater fundamentally altered the political landscape of his day--and ours.

Editorial Reviews

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"The book lays out, clearly and succinctly, [Goldwater's] uncompromising views. Goldwater held freedom as the highest value in American society: freedom from law, freedom from government, freedom from anybody else's vision but your own. You can argue with him on the particulars, but there's something compelling about his quintessentially American notion of self-reliance."---David Ulin, Los Angeles Times

"The new Conscience of a Conservative takes what might be called the 'anti-fusionist' side in the Goldwater wars...The Conscience of a Conservative continues to be read today because it isn't a political tract, a soulless campaign book of the sort generated by every other modern presidential effort."---Daniel McCarthy, The American Conservative

"Praise for the original edition: "Goldwater's conservatism is not isolationism, nor is it a cold-blooded commitment to the 'haves' as against the 'have-nots.' It is the creed of a fighter who has both a warm heart and a clear mind.""---John Chamberlain, Wall Street Journal

"Praise for the original edition: "There is more harsh fact and hard sense in this slight book than will emerge from all of the chatter of this year's session of Congress. . . . Sen. Goldwater is one of a handful of authentic conservatives. . . . [H]e has the clarity of courage and the courage of clarity.""---George Morgenstern, Chicago Tribune

"It is good that C.C. Goldwater brings us this new edition. It directs new attention to a political figure who, though fiery, was never mean-spirited or unfairly partisan."---Max J. Skidmore, European Legacy

About the Author

Barry M. Goldwater (1909-1998) was a five-term U.S. senator from Arizona whose 1964 campaign for president is credited with reviving American conservatism. His books include With No Apologies and a memoir, Goldwater. CC Goldwater is the granddaughter of Barry Goldwater and the producer of the HBO documentary Mr. Conservative: Goldwater on Goldwater

Series: The James Madison Library in American Politics
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Princeton University Press; Revised ed. edition (April 23, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0691131171
ISBN-13: 978-0691131177
Product Dimensions: 4.8 x 0.8 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 335 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,029,117 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #234 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > International & World Politics > Arms Control
- #1026 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Specific Topics > Civics & Citizenship
- #1091 in Books > Textbooks > Social Sciences > Political Science > Political Ideologies

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Brady Williams

I am glad I exposed myself to the thinking of Barry Goldwater

May 7, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Let me be clear, I am a progressive liberal who strongly opposes the ideology and policies of Barry Goldwater. However, I think it is intellectually irresponsible to solely read the positions of those with whom you agree. Exposing yourself to opposing viewpoints helps you become a much more well-rounded and less biased thinker. I am glad I exposed myself to the thinking of Barry Goldwater, and I benefited considerably from doing so. In this book, I found the true intellectual foundation of the political right that is all too often warped, skewed, and destroyed by moronic politicians and pundits. Prior to this book, I would perceive pundits or politicians on the right making their fallacious arguments and I thought that the entire political ideology of the right must be devoid of intellect. However, this book has shown me that there truly is an intellectual philosophy of the political right, regardless of however much I disagree with it. Besides exposing me to an intellectually sound conservative philosophy, I found the substance of Goldwater's arguments to sometimes call my own liberal positions into doubt. I overwhelmingly disagree with Goldwater's positions, however I found several topics about which he pointed out genuine liberal inconsistencies. In particular, his comments on labor unions have certainly called into doubt the unwavering support I had previously granted big labor. In sum, I highly recommend this book to liberals and conservatives alike.

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Erica

A Thinking-man's Conservative

March 2, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Full disclosure: I am not a Conservative, or a Republican, or a Liberal, or a Democrat. I am an Independent voter, from the DC Metro area (where National news *are* our local news), and I vote exclusively on the issues and who I believe can best handle them, meaning I've voted a split-ticket many times.
Given the current political landscape, I was drawn to further research this politician I've heard a mixed-bag of discourse about. Barry Goldwater's curious path through decades of dramatic social and political change is the kind of story a novelist wouldn't dream of trying to sell - it's that fantastic. His larger than life character is what is, perhaps, best remembered, especially his rants and outbursts on the campaign trail that may have cost him the presidency, and the support of his own party. Given that simple description, it's no wonder that some talking heads are comparing a certain current presidential candidate to the powerhouse that was Barry Goldwater.
But what is lacking in that comparison, and what Goldwater's "Conscience of a Conservative" highlights so well, is the underlying, deep-seated, thoughtful and intelligent prose of a man obviously full of conviction. His knowledge of the Constitution, and his desire to not trample on it is unyielding. He's not unreasonable, as so many would have us believe. He acknowledges that certain aspects of life are not what they should be in the late 50s. But he suggests - nay, he commands, that the path to rectifying these situations must be through the proper paths laid out by the Constitution. Admittedly, when he wrote, he was much more eloquent than when he seemed to get overly excited on the campaign trail.
I adored the majority of this book. Whether I agreed with his views or not, it was obvious they were well thought out and intelligent. I could see why his arguments might make sense. I did become frustrated towards the end of the book. His views on anti-communism, while sound, seemed to go off on quite a passionate tangent - almost to the point of a rant. Reminded me of what happens with many publications by well-known political figures: their agenda gets the best of them at some point, and without an editor reeling them in, the tangent takes over. He has some interesting commentary during this section about negotiations, which you almost wonder if some of today's politicians have snatched up verbatim to use regarding current events.
I highly recommend this book to anyone planning to cast a ballot - ever. I think it's important to be an informed voter, and Goldwater can teach all of us a few things about the Constitution.

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Alan

An Excellent Primer for "Realizing Freedom: Libertarian theory, History and Practice"

January 31, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Data, issues, politics and challenges change with time, but the principles which support sound logic are immutable. The Libertarian principles which underlie the conclusions in this book are as valid today as they were in 1960. Over decades, the players may have changed, and the "noise" of special interests may have misdirected the argument under the false guise of freedom. If you feel like you are in the minority of those who really understand freedom, this book is the plain truth of Liberty. Unfortunately, Atlas (had) Shrugged 10 years earlier.

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styarbrough

After there was Hayek...the reality in America is addressed by Goldwater. We need to understand History or....

May 26, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A true understanding of what it is to be a CONSERVATIVE before the GREAT SOCIETY, LBJ, even Reagan, and what it means to understand what the Founding Fathers realized and their reasons for our being Conservatives. I knew Goldwater, but this is far better than even I remember. I am glad even today that I worked for him and in truth had he won, we would not be in the mess we are today. NONE of it...he addresses that even then the Congress was thinking not how the cut the Government and the spending. Rather HOW MUCH TO INCREASE the Government and spending every session...never the thought of CUTTING...it grew like TOPSY!!! And the monster is still GROWING and we are becoming a country of SERFs, seems someone else addressed that.

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