I've yet to see a list out there of foundational books for conservatism. I've read a lot of Thomas Sowell and both of Jonah Goldberg's books, as well as others representing modern conservatism. I recently read Hayek's Road to Serfdom, but besides that I haven't really read any foundational works, and I don't really know where to look. So I'm looking for recommendations. Again, I'm looking for classical foundational books, answering the question, "where did the ideas come from?"
As an aside, if I had to recommend only one book for a person to read, from my own experience I would opt for Sowell's Basic Economics. If only more people had a better understanding of the "dismal science".
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Answer by Joseph Stanko
Great question! Some suggestions:
- Edmund Burke - Reflections on the Revolution in France
- The Federalist Papers
- Russell Kirk - The Conservative Mind
- George H. Nash - The Conservative Intellectual Movement in America
- Richard M. Weaver - Ideas Have Consequences
- Frank S. Meyer - In Defense of Freedom
- Irving Kristol - Reflections of a Neoconservative
- Milton Friedman - Money Mischief
- Robert Nisbet - Prejudices
whatmeworry: Great lists given thus far. I would add Russell Kirk - Roots of American Order. I know you said Sowell however, just in case I'll add A Conflict of Visions.
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- · May 29, 2012 at 2:35am
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: Just start with Nash's The Conservative Intellectual Movement in America for a great overview. Read each new book mentioned and you will have an great understanding of our conservative roots!
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- · June 8, 2012 at 2:29pm
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Answer by Furius Camillus
This is not a a definitive list but one drawn from recent experience where much of my conversion from an ignorant moderate-social libertarian to conservative has taken place.
World History:
- The Conquest of Gaul by Julius Ceasar
- Carnage and Culture by Victor Davis Hanson
- Modern Times by Paul Johnson
- Intellectuals by Paul Johnson
Literature
- The Politically Incorrect Guide to English and American Literature by Elizabeth Kantor
American History
- America: The Last Best Hope by William J. Bennett
- The Forgotten Man by Amity Schlaes
- Unheralded Victory: The Defeat of the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army by Mark W. Woodruff
SCOTUS
- Men In Black by Mark Levin
- Scalia Dissents, Kevin Ring
Finance and Banking
- The Ascent of Money by Niall Ferguson
Political Theory
- Liberty and Tyranny and Ameritopia by Mark Levin
These podcasts, less burdensome, might also be helpful:
- American Conservative University
- Ashbrook Events
- Uncommon Knowledge
YouTube has the following:
- "Free to Choose" series with Milton Friedman
- Prager University
VictorHanson.com has free, short essays for the reading as well.
Advanced study would have to include Eric Hoffer's The True Believer and the enemy's playbook, Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky.
Answer by
The best list of foundational books on conservatism that I found so far is Leadership Institute President Morton Blackwell's list. He says "Over the years, I have often been asked to recommend books I consider of particular value for conservatives. What follows is a core library of 26 books. I introduce the authors in alphabetical order. Every conservative leader should read (and re-read) these books."
You can find it here (along with reviews of each book). I have also reproduced it below for your convenience.
-
The Seven Fat Years
by Robert Bartley -
The Law
by Frederic Bastiat -
Up from Liberalism
by William F. Buckley, Jr. -
Selected Writings and Speeches of Edmund Burke collected
by Dr. Peter Stanlis -
Suicide of the West
by James Burnham -
Witness
by Whittaker Chambers -
Ronald Reagan
by Dinesh D'Souza -
Advise and Consent
by Allen Drury -
The Theme Is Freedom
by M. Stanton Evans -
Capitalism and Freedom
by Milton Friedman -
Conscience of a Conservative
by Barry Goldwater -
The Road to Serfdom
by F. A. Hayek -
The Fatal Conceit
by F. A. Hayek -
Economics in One Lesson
by Henry Hazlitt -
Dedication and Leadership
by Douglas Hyde -
Modern Times
by Paul Johnson -
The Conservative Mind
by Dr. Russell Kirk -
Liberty and Tyranny
by Mark Levin -
The Rise of Radicalism
by Eugene Methvin -
Defense of Freedom
by Frank Meyer -
What Is Conservatism?
by Frank Meyer -
Atlas Shrugged
by Ayn Rand -
Plunkitt of Tammany Hall
by William Riordon -
Knowledge and Decisions
by Thomas Sowell -
The New Right: We're Ready To Lead
by Richard Viguerie -
Ideas Have Consequences
by Richard Weaver
: In fact, I am currently working my way through reading the books on this list.
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- · June 3, 2012 at 12:52pm
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Ryan M: Up From Liberalism is excellent... and Economics in One Lesson may be my favorite (not best, just personal favorite) economics book of all time, and a MUST read. There are many other good ones on that list.
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- · August 24, 2012 at 8:13am
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Answer by Eric Wallace
Here's a few reading lists I've kept handy:
Jonah Goldberg's Conservative Canon
Answer by Valin
May I suggest
Ratification: The People Debate the Constitution, 1787-178
Pauline Maier
Answer by Clamor Undobad
I wouldn't consider this "canon" precisely, but Russ Roberts (in his EconTalk podcast) does an excellent job of explaining some of the more counter-intuitive concepts of economics. Seems to me that economic ignorance is the single biggest source of the "knowing so much that isn't so" in the world.
crizzyboo: The 5,000 Year Leap by Cleon Skousen
Ty Wilkins: I would suggest Heritage Foundation's Reading the Right Books- A Guide for The Intelligent Conservative. It's an annotated bibliography of various books on different sections of Conservatism anywhere from Public policy to Statesmanship. Enjoy!
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