Books to recommend to tentative conservative convert

Vanity

[Betaille]

I have a "liberal" friend that is interested in "broadening his political horizons". He has asked me to recommend some books to him. I have already given him "Free to choose" by Milton Friedman. What books would you recommend I suggest he read? What books were most formative for you?

[West Coast Conservative]

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

[dfwgator]

Anything by PJ O'Rourke, especially "Eat the Rich."

[Prime Choice]

I think I started down the conservative path after reading "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu. That was decades ago.

I also liked "Goldwater" by (naturally) Barry Goldwater.

[Betaille]

"Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand."

I have that, and read the first several pages before losing interest. This was 5 years ago when I was still a liberal (though already capitalist). I don't think that's the best idea for someone just getting started in right-wing ideology. I find Rand's writing very slow... though maybe I'm just an ADDtard

[GSlob]

Friedrich von Hayek's "Road to Serfdom" could be useful.

[lunarbicep]

bttt

[Betaille]

"Anything by PJ O'Rourke, especially "Eat the Rich.""

I've actually never read him. Is "Eat the Rich" economically informative or is it a partisan shout-book?

[Paleo Conservative]

Conscience of a Conservative by Barry Goldwater.

[West Coast Conservative]

I enjoyed Atlas Shrugged. But I agree, her writing is pretty tedious and slow.

[Prime Choice]

Also check out "State of Fear" by Michael Crichton. He, very unapologetically, takes on the "global warming" idjits.

Well, looks like this thread has been thrown into General Chat, so I'm afraid it's going to die a premature death.

[Betaille]

"Friedrich von Hayek's "Road to Serfdom" could be useful."

Yes very good idea... I'm a little worried about readability though. I have a choice between "Road to Serfdom" by Hayek, and "Capitalism and Freedom" by Friedman... which would you prioritize?

[segis]

The Road to Serfdom by FA Hayek.

[clifcrds]

My son is a History major (I think he is working on his masters – I’m am not sure, I just get the bills every semester). Of all the books he has – he says the ones he uses most often when he has to defend a conservative position against “people of diversity and tolerance” are the books I bought him :
Weapons Of Mass Distortion by Brent Bozell
Do-Gooders by Mona Charen
Why The Left Hates America by Daniel J. Flynn
Hoodwinked by Jack Cashill
The Death Of Right & Wrong by Tammy Bruce (Former head of LA NOW)

I would definitely by any conservative college student the last two on the list – chock full of facts that completely dispels many liberal myths and perceptions. The book by Tammy Bruce contradicts not only every facet of liberal ideologies but the section on feminism is totally exposed from the inside out.

[dfwgator]

O'Rourke goes to different parts of the world, Cuba, Sweden, Albania, and comments on their economic systems. It is a critique on socialism.

[Betaille]

Good idea, but do you think "Conscience of a Conservative" might be dated (I've not read it so I honestly don't know)? I gave him Friedman to start because I think that what Friedman says is timeless and will always be applicable.
I noticed that the foreword is by Pat Buchanan... and he is NOT my kind of conservative. I also don't think my friend would take kindly to him.

[185JHP]

"A Conflict Of Visions" by Thomas Sowell.

[dfwgator]

Also, The Tragedy of American Compassion, by Marvin Orlovsky.

[Betaille]

Interesting, I hadn't thought of Sowell. Could you please elaborate a bit on "A conflict of visions"?

[Betaille]

"Friedrich von Hayek's "Road to Serfdom" could be useful."

I think "Road to Serfdom" is the winner. So that will be the second book I give him educating him that socialism is wrong/destructive... does anybody have a particular book to recommend to give him a broad understanding of social conservatism?