The 13 Books That Every Young Conservative Must Read

Business Insider ^ | 03/29/2013 | Grace Wyler and Paul Szoldra

[SeekAndFind]

At any book store in the country, you can find hundreds of titles from right-leaning authors — and they are selling like hotcakes.

Over the past few years, the Tea Party groundswell and the presidency of Barack Obama has fueled a new and growing crop of conservative authors, as well as renewed interest in the canon of nonfiction works that have shaped conservative thought in American culture and politics.

The following is a list of 13 books that are staples to any Republican bookshelf. While the list by no means comprehensive, its a good starter guide for any young conservative looking to get his or her feet wet in the movement.

1) "The Conscience of a Conservative" by Barry Goldwater

The 1960 publication of Goldwater's book is often credited with reigniting the conservative movement and boosting the Arizona Senator's 1964 bid for the White House.

In the opening chapter, Goldwater makes a clear distinction between the right and left, writing, "the conscience of the Conservative is pricked by anyone who would debase the dignity of the individual human being. Today, therefore, he is at odds with dictators who rule by terror, and equally with those gentler collectivists who ask our permission to play God with the human race." More than 50 years since its publication, The Conscience of a Conservative, has endured and continues to inspire conservative thought.

2) "Democracy in America" by Alexis de Tocqueville

In 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville and Gustave de Beaumont embarked upon a nine-month quest across the American landscape. Leaving behind their post-revolutionary homeland, they saw a flourishing democracy they believed could serve as a model for other nations (including their own).

They traveled to 17 out of the 24 states in the union, interviewing settlers, lawyers, bankers, and even two presidents,

[gbscott1954]

These are all good books and I have read some of them. But guess I am just a little old fashioned. Shouldn’t the Bible be on the list? Our founding fathers thought that it was a bedrock upon which our nation was founded.

[gbscott1954]

I was very fortunate concerning where I attended college. I got a minor in poli sci at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. This was in the early to mid 70’s. Most of the poli sci profs were moderately liberal. But they could not pigeon holed. I remember that it was from a “liberal” professor, believe it or not, that I got my first appreciation for life and opposition to abortion. He contended that it was the only true liberal position to protect those who were least able to protect themselves. I do remember that they encouraged different views, and yes, I got A's, even though I was an outspoken conservative. Guess things have changed alot on the college campus now!

[goodwithagun]

For both children and adults: Johnny Tremain (appologies for no italics!) by Esther Forbes.

[folkquest]

Ping

[bigbob]

Nothing Alinsky says can’t be used against the Left. It’s more a book about how to fight and win than which side you’re on.

[MomwithHope]

I can’t believe that none of Mark Levin’s book are on the list and that Ann Coulters made it on! His 3 books, Men in Black (about the Supreme Court), Liberty & Tyranny, and Ameritopia. All outstanding books and IMO should be required reading in every college.

[cornelis]

Weaver’s nominalism

Haven't heard that name in a while.

[Joe 6-pack]

"Robert Bork’s Slouching Towards Gomorrah"

Yep. I thought that was a pretty serious ommission. Written almost 20 years ago and pretty much dead on accurate as to where the culture war was/is headed and why.

[Constitution Coalition]

Another great book is Ayn Rands Capitalism the unknown idea. In the book she compares George Romney to Karl Marx and some excerpt from Alan Greenspan when he didn’t loose his mind.
http://constitutioncoalition.blogspot.com/

[tsomer]

Edmund Burke's Reflections on the Revolution in France belongs on any conservatives reading list.

Two other bedrock thinkers are glaringly absent: John Locke and Adam Smith.

We have a lot of work to do in getting these ideas into some chronological and theoretic order for popular dessimination, but its got to be done.

[Popman]

I can’t believe that none of Mark Levin’s book are on the list

I can...thought all three books you listed are good informative reads...they are not very profound or deep books...

Compared to most of the books listed...they are a light read..

[Popman]

I would add Allan Bloom's The Closing of the American Mind

This was the first comment after the article...I've forgotten how great this book is..

Great book...definitely a must read...

[Ramius]

Actually... A pretty good starter list.

[aberaussie]

And it’s a monumental read along the same lines as “Atlas Shrugged.” It is very raw, but that’s part of the reason I recommend it.

I agree, yet I have not been able to bring myself to read it again, nor did I want my teens to read it. I also have not wanted to get rid of it!

[rarestia]

It speaks truth to a lot of things Ina very cerebral way and ideates certain things that we think but no one has the stones to do.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

I agree...it is also replete with a description of human nature...which the Libs ignore in their delusional search for a Utopia.

If you want to talk about “communism”...the only time it ever “worked” was in monastaries and convents.HA! Take THAT Karl Marx.

[detective]

My list would be:

1. The Road to Serfdom. Hayek was in Austria. He was in London at the LSE at the same time as Keynes and he was at University of Chicago. He was an excellent thinker and writer who was far ahead of his time. Hayek's logic is impeccable and he influenced many including Milton Freidman and Ronald Reagan.

2. 1984. Orwell is key to understanding many of the deceptions of the left. Orwell created so many concepts like “thought crime”, “big brother”, “newspeak” and so many others. Orwell's essays are also excellent.

3. Witness. This was the book that converted a young liberal actor to a principled conservative and later a great president. Reagan often spoke of how reading Witness moved him.

4. Blacklisted by History. One of the greatest lies of the left concerns Senator Joe McCarthy and “McCarthyism”. You sometimes even see conservatives falsely use the term “McCarthyism” to describe smear tactics. M. Stanton Edwards does an invaluable job of telling the truth and setting the record straight in this excellent biography.

5. Wall Street and the Bolshevik Revolution. I would recommend all of Antony Sutton's works. He meticulously researched the connections between the totalitarians and Communists and their supporters in the west.

6. The Conservative Mind. Russell Kirk gives an interesting overview.

7. The 50 Thousand Year Leap and The Naked Communist. Mark Skousen was very insightful. His work still holds up today.

8. Everything by William F. Buckley. Buckley was a true intellectual. God and Man at Yale was written in the 1950’s. Buckley wrote great books throughout his life. Buckley's brother in law Brent Bozell wrote Conscience of a Conservative for Barry Goldwater.

9. The Black Book of Communism. A must read. It is full of necessary information.

10. Coming Apart. Charles Murray provides a cogent analysis of the breakdown of American society. Like his earlier book, Losing Ground, Murray tells the truth that the MSM and the intellectuals refuse to talk about.

There are many other great books for conservatives. This is just a short list. I may have missed some.

[Yardstick]

I might've put The Politics of Bad Faith by David Horowitz on the list. It's my favorite book of his, with huge insight into why leftists think and feel as they do.

[Yardstick]

Yes, that’s a good one. That little book influenced me more than any of her fiction did.

[outofsalt]

pfl