The first book I read dealing with politics was “Conscience of a Conservative” by Barry Goldwater. I was about 14 at the time. It was one of several books that made a lasting impression on me. Capitalism and Freedom by Milton Friedman and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand were two others.
One thing about that book is how it describes in detail the GOP’s shift leftward even back when first published.
Goldwater had me at “Conscience of a Conservative.” As a young news reporter, I had the privlege of covering a post-election speech he gave at an Ohio college. Meeting him in person was one of the political highlights of my life. A photo of me and Barry Goldwater continues to sit on my office desk along with the Book he wrote that continues to influence the right side of history.