Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Without any other ideas of what to discuss, how about we get a sense of what the folks have been reading and what you think about them. My suggestion is this:

List, in order, your favorite three conservative books that you recently read. Use your judgment on what "recent" is. If you read "See I Told You So" seven or eights years ago, no, that doesn't count. If you only got around to reading it in the last year or so, okay, include it. But really, I'm interested in finding the books many of us have enjoyed, so that the rest of us can go seek these out. (We can do "books to pass by" another time.)

Please, list only (or at most) three, and please, list only books that you've read and enjoyed, not the ones that you're hoping to read and hope you'll enjoy, or ones that you were told by someone whose opinion you really trust that it is good and you're going to get around to reading it as soon as the library has it available. (You'd be surprised at the conversations I've had concerning books.)

With luck, we'll get a nice response, and I can tally them up when the posting stops.

I start, which will be easy because I've only read three in the past year or so:


  1. At Any Cost: How Al Gore Tried to Steal the Election, Bill Sammon
  2. Who's Looking Out for You, Bill O'Reilly
  3. Let Freedom Ring, Sean Hannity

Again, forget about what you think about them personally, they're both good reads.

By the way, I would have liked to have added Reagan's book of letters, but, sadly, I've been quite busy and I only managed to get a small fraction of the way through the book before I had to return it to the library. (Couldn't renew it -- someone had it on hold.)

TS

1 posted on 02/24/2005 6:11:52 PM PST by Tanniker Smith
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies ]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-48 next last
To: Tanniker Smith

"Misunderestimated" by Bill Sammon.


2 posted on 02/24/2005 6:16:47 PM PST by silent_jonny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith

If you have a ping list, would you put me on it?

If you wish to discuss political books, you are going to have discussions of politics and not of books.

Convervatives need to begin discussing Literature, in the worst way.

Liberals dominate the arts; almost always with very shoddy theories (p.c., an affinity for anything that is 'dark' and 'edgy' and so on);

There are often very good threads on movies; in which the movies are discussed for their story line, photography, actors, characters, etc. with politics secondary. I am not the one starting this thread and perhaps I shouldn't butt in with an alternative idea and Tanniker's taking on the work is much appreciated,

and it is just a suggestion, but might we discuss fiction? (ducking...)


3 posted on 02/24/2005 6:19:00 PM PST by squarebarb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith

I'm currently working on "The Case for Democracy" by Natan Sharansky.

While it's not really directly tied to conservatism, I highly suggest Eric Hoffer's "The True Believer." It's a collection of thoughts on what drives fanatical mass movements, the types of individuals who become members of mass movements, and the personalities that start mass movements. I find it invaluable in understanding the mindset of the fundamentalist Muslims that seem so intent on destroying Western civilization. And a number of passages are also very apt descriptions of the liberal moonbats that we find so infuriating. It's important to know one's enemy.

Another excellent title is "A Conflict of Visions" by Thomas Sowell. It's an intriguing look into why the mindset so many liberals have that, despite their own moral relativism, anyone who disagrees with them is genuinely evil.


4 posted on 02/24/2005 6:22:15 PM PST by AQGeiger (Have you hugged your soldier today?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith

5 posted on 02/24/2005 6:22:42 PM PST by carlr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith
On my nightstand and getting ready to start:
A Patriots History Of The United States: From Columbus's Great Discovery To The War On Terror
Larry Schweikart, Michael Patrick Allen
 
Next up: The Case For Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror
Natan Sharansky, Ron Dermer, Anatoly Shcharansky
 
 Now reading :The Pentagon's New Map
Thomas P. M. Barnett
 
And one I am just ordered and am waiting for (release date March 1):
 
Taking Heat : The President, the Press, and My Years in the White House
Ari Fleischer
 

Add me to your ping list if you have one, thanks :)

9 posted on 02/24/2005 6:25:53 PM PST by arbee4bush (Then, in a clattering crescendo of keystrokes, the issue exploded in cyberspace.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith

Hey, the comedian George Carlin had his own book club......does anyone remember his "Join the Book Club" skit? I was listening to it on CD a few days ago--it's HILARIOUS!!!!!


13 posted on 02/24/2005 6:27:23 PM PST by libertyman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith

BUMP!!!


15 posted on 02/24/2005 6:28:43 PM PST by PatriotGirl827 (Member of the Vast Right Wing Pajama Party)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith
What a lovely idea!

As the proud parent of a toddler, my leisure reading consists of whatever part of the paper I get through before the babe decides to take over my time. She doesn't understand why I'd read a big floppy paper when there are dozens of great board books to read to her!

I recently finished How to Speak to a Liberal (if you must) By the divine Ms. Ann Coulter

I must admit, her sarcasm grates the nerves of my better half, but I just love her biting wit. She handily tears down the motivation and mindset of the left, and she writes as carefree and comfortable with who she is as she speaks.

If you enjoy reading her columns but haven't read as many as you would like, this is the book for you. Her comments on 9/11 and the aftermath are particularly pithy.

A really good read, especially for those of us who can't get through a book too quickly, because each column can be read individually, without having to remember where you left off.

17 posted on 02/24/2005 6:30:39 PM PST by sandalwood (The sky was yellow and the sun was blue)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith
The three that I have most recently read...

Unfit For Command by John E. O`Neill

Every one read that one so moving right along

For Shame (The Loss of Common Decency in American Culture) By James B Twitchell

Enjoyable but it will make you squirm a bit.

Good to Great by Jim Collins

Ok not exactly a conservative book but this one book gave me more insight into why our nation's government is structured the way it is. And why having a great system is better then having a great leader. Great (or level 5 leaders) are needed to build the system but they build it with the view that they are not going to be around forever so they build it so it will withstand a poor leader.

I swear every GOP leader should read this book.

22 posted on 02/24/2005 6:39:11 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Apparently, this is the only job for which I am suited. I am beset by the ironies of my life)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith

But seriously, now...here's a few excellent books you should check out:

--"THE LAW" by Frederic Bastiat (written in 1850; you can also find it on the Constitution Society's web page);

--"THE CONSTITUTIONAL THOUGHT OF THOMAS JEFFERSON", by David N. Meyer;

--"BASIC AMERICAN GOVERNMENT", by Clarence Carson;

--"LOST RIGHTS: THE DESTRUCTION OF AMERICAN LIBERTY", by James Bovard;

--"THE REAL LINCOLN", by Thomas DiLorenzo; &

--"A REPUBLIC, NOT AN EMPIRE", by Pat Buchanan


23 posted on 02/24/2005 6:40:24 PM PST by libertyman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith

Could you add me to your ping list when you make it? Thanks! :)


26 posted on 02/24/2005 6:43:04 PM PST by exnavychick (There's too much youth; how about a fountain of smart?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith

Will check back in later. Cheers for the FR Book Club!

(For all of you interested in Burn24's suggestion, jump over to Amazon to check out Cities of the Plain).


29 posted on 02/24/2005 6:47:21 PM PST by squarebarb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith
Great thread!. Here's my reading list from the last twelve-eighteen months.

Freeper LS's "A Patriot's History of America" and his upcoming "September Day".

Freeper Travis McGee's "Enemies Foreign and Domestic" and his upcoming "Domestic Enemies".

Freeper James Macomber's "Art & Part" and "Bargained for Exchange".

The entire "Prelude to Glory" series (all nine volumes) about the revoultionary war and constitutional convention by Carter.

All of Michael and Jeff Shaara's books about the Revolutionary and Civil wars.

James Alexander Thom's "Long Knife" and "Pamnther in the Sky" novels about George Rogers Clark and Tecumseh respectively.

Norman Shwarzkopf's "It doesn't take a Hero".

John Eisenhower's, "So far from God", about the Mexican American War.

Tyrone Martin's, "A Most Fortunate SHip", about the USS Constitution.

Samuel Elliot Morison's, "The Two Ocean War", about the US Navy in World War II.

...and finally, all of Allan Eckert's "Winning America" series, starting with, "The Frontiersman".

30 posted on 02/24/2005 6:47:59 PM PST by Jeff Head (www.dragonsfuryseries.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith

Bttt


33 posted on 02/24/2005 6:49:17 PM PST by aberaussie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith

If you like fiction with a message, State of Fear by Michael Crighton was good - I particularly liked the charts, graphs, and checkable sites for debunking the global warming nuts.


34 posted on 02/24/2005 6:49:24 PM PST by oldmom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith

This is a great idea and I'd like to be added to your ping list.


35 posted on 02/24/2005 6:50:36 PM PST by SilentServiceCPOWife (Romeo&Juliet, Troilus&Crisedye, Bogey&Bacall, Gable&Lombard, Brigitte&Flav)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith
Wealth and Poverty by George Gilder is a must-read for anyone who espouses the principles of supply-side economics.
36 posted on 02/24/2005 6:51:34 PM PST by Alberta's Child (I'm not expecting to grow flowers in the desert.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith; squarebarb

1. Please add me to the ping list.

2. I would like to second (or third ... or fourth) squarebarb's suggestion. Political books, particularly current books, are going to be discussed here anyway. Literature may not.


40 posted on 02/24/2005 7:16:18 PM PST by Celtjew Libertarian (Shake Hands with the Serpent: Poetry by Charles Lipsig aka Celtjew http://books.lulu.com/lipsig)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith
Ping me, ping me!!

Holy War on the Home Front by Harvey Kushner is the scary book I'm reading now.

p.s.That blue underlined word was self formatted.

42 posted on 02/24/2005 7:20:30 PM PST by Brasil ("The path to safety is the path of action." GWB)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: Tanniker Smith

Picked this up at MWR. Don't get much time to read, though.

43 posted on 02/24/2005 7:23:05 PM PST by Cannoneer No. 4 (Kandahar Airfield -- “We’re not on the edge of the world, but we can see it from here")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-48 next last

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson