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Posted: 10/12/2005 6:22:00 AM EST
A long time ago I had a list of books that were supposedly [or at least labeled] "Mandatory Reading for the conservative mind."

My father and I got together and decided to read each of these books [in order of preference as listed on the list] and discuss each book together.  We were both very excited about doing this - as my father and I have really never been close and it was something we both shared, a conservative mind and a love for literature.

Anyway, the top of the list was "The education of Henry Adams" [cousin to John and Samuel].  OH MY how that book was boring .  It was all I could do to finish it.  My father didn't and there died our feeble attempt to have a father/daughter moment.

Lately Dad and I have been visiting about David McCullough's "1776" and its been fun as the book is wonderful and has really spurred a fun debate with Dad.  I just finished reading McCullough's  "The Course of Human Events" its fantastic [high recommend reading this short essay].  Dad hasn't read it yet.  So I have to wait until he does to debate it with him.  

Until then, what would you say is mandatory reading for a conservative? - I'm ready for my next book.  [I actually just got McCullough's book on Truman but its hard to think of Truman as a conservative, even though in today's standards he undoubtedly was].  I also got Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" for my birthday [which I've always wanted but my daughter is reading it right now].

Patty
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 6:26:13 AM EST
[#1]
The Constitution.

The Federalist Papers.

Link Posted: 10/12/2005 6:29:40 AM EST
[#2]

Quoted:
The Constitution.

The Federalist Papers.




Good idea.  I've read them both but I don't know if Dad has.  Everyone should also read their state charter too.  Patty
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 6:42:13 AM EST
[#4]
not exactly conservative. two books about theodore roosevelt. the rise of theodore roosevelt then theodore rex, by edmund morris. very good books very enjoyable to read and it will give some perspective on politics, conservatism, liberalism who they worked then and now (not much has changed) and how someone with a vision and political smarts operates.

two other very good books to read (about churchill another very intersting person). the last lion: visons of glory and churchill:alone. very interesting read about a person who started out very liberal and became conservative based on experiences.

both books also provide very interesting info about the period at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, the world wide arms race that started in the late 19th century with ships (battleships) and the growth of the curent world powers, the creation of israel setc.

books are/were best sellers.. which means they are enjoyable to read. i read a ton and if a book bores me, no matter how important i cant finish. the above stuff is better than well written fiction.
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 6:48:37 AM EST
[#5]
SOLD! st0newall, I've always wanted to read about Churchhill and haven't.  I read a few books on Margaret Thatcher, one was excellent, one was boring.  I hate boring books.

I read once [can't remember where] that all great minds read "How to Make War" by Napoleon Bonaparte so naturally being [or at least trying to be preceived as having] a great mind, I've always secretly desired reading it but have always found something else.

Patty
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 6:50:27 AM EST
[#6]
Hmm,  good question....   Here's a few suggestions:

Democracy in America by de Tocqueville
Animal Farm by George Orwell
The Book of Virtues by William Bennett
Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 6:57:09 AM EST
[#7]

Quoted:
Hmm,  good question....   Here's a few suggestions:

Democracy in America by de Tocqueville Can you give me a reader's digest critique?
Animal Farm by George Orwell - Oh gosh, I read this in College, that's an excellent idea.The Book of Virtues by William Bennett - Read that, thank you for bringing it up though, my youngest is in Kindergarten and the child that memorizes the most poems wins a prize - gotta help the boy with his poems!
Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography<rubs hands together> I didn't realize Franklin wrote an autobiography!.

Link Posted: 10/12/2005 6:59:23 AM EST
[#8]
Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 7:12:29 AM EST
[#9]
OMG--I don't think it's possible to give a "readers digest critique" of On Democracy in America"

If you like Ben's autobiography, (it's a little difficult wading though the old style of writing, but definitely worth it!),  search online for his letter to Madame Brillon about the story of the whistle.
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 7:15:06 AM EST
[#10]

Quoted:
OMG--I don't think it's possible to give a "readers digest critique" of On Democracy in America"

If you like Ben's autobiography, (it's a little difficult wading though the old style of writing, but definitely worth it!),  search online for his letter to Madame Brillon about the story of the whistle.


Will do.  Have you [or anyone] read the books "Ben and Me" supposedly about a little mouse that road around in Franklin's hat?  McCollough mentions it in his book and says although purely fictional, gives excellent insight on Franklin himself and though written by a well known author of the time - suggests that Ben in fact wrote them himself.

Anyway, spurred my curiosity none the less.

Thanks again for the suggestions.  Patty
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 7:16:49 AM EST
[#11]
The God of the Machine by Isabel Paterson (how religion fit into the scheme of things)
Road to Serfdom by Fred Hayek (Nobel prize winning economist and easy to understand)
Discovery of Freedom by Rose Wilder Lane (ex-socialist gets enlightened...Ayn Rand fan of sorts)
Conflict of Vision by Thomas Sowell  (probably the best explanation of the difference between the liberal and conservative mind.)

The Concise Conservative Encyclopedia by Brad Miner lists 200 of the most important ideas, individuals, incitements, and institutions that have influenced the movement.

Link Posted: 10/12/2005 7:19:14 AM EST
[#12]

Quoted:
SOLD! st0newall, I've always wanted to read about Churchhill and haven't.  I read a few books on Margaret Thatcher, one was excellent, one was boring.  I hate boring books.

I read once [can't remember where] that all great minds read "How to Make War" by Napoleon Bonaparte so naturally being [or at least trying to be preceived as having] a great mind, I've always secretly desired reading it but have always found something else.

Patty



the two churchill books are by william manchester. to be read in the order of visions of glory, then alone. the last book goes up to the point where churchill was made prime minister right before wwII when britain declared war (finally). manchester was going to write the last book but he was old and died within the last year. there has been some talk about using his notes to do the final book with someone else. is a real shame because manchester obvioulsy loved churchill and he was a very good writter.
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 7:20:49 AM EST
[#13]
For those who can't reconcile conservatism with GWB and his ideals while a President....

GWB and Conservativism


Link Posted: 10/12/2005 7:23:42 AM EST
[#14]
I'll 2nd the call for Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand and add "A Patriot's History of the United States : From Columbus's Great Discovery to the War on Terror".

- CD
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 7:26:42 AM EST
[#15]
Capitalistic free enterprise economics is a foreign language in America today.  I would start with any Thomas Sowell book and go from there.
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 10:22:47 AM EST
[#16]
The Federalist Papers:  Owners' Manual for the Constitution.

The Anti-Federalist Papers:  Vital to understand how and why the BIll of Rights came to be.  Remember that the Second Amendment reflects Anti-Federalist more than Federalist thought.

George Orwell's "Politics and the English Language".  It's an essay about how almost all political evil is facilitated by the corruption of language.  Read it and think about what we're seeing in modern liberalism.  Think about the MSM's newfound love of the word "militia" when describing any random bunch of dirtbags with guns in the third world.

Any poetry by Rudyard Kipling.  "If" should be required reading for everyone.  "Tommy", "Fuzzy-Wuzzy"....will move you to tears.  I don't care for much poetry, but I have his complete works.
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 10:26:26 AM EST
[#17]
okay, thanks - I'll write these down.  Patty
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 11:15:20 AM EST
[#18]

"The Road to Serfdom" by Friedrich Hayek.  You've probably come across people who think the Republicans are nazis but think that communism was great.  Written during World War 2 by an Austrian, it describes how the differences between Socialism/Communism, and Fascism/Naziism are superficial.  It also includes a primer on economics and why centrally-planned economies are so poor at allocating resources where needed.

"Eat the Rich" by P.J. O'Rourke.  An economic treatise that will make your sides hurt.  P.J. O'Rourke describes himself as a journalist who travels to foreign countries and trouble spots, and makes fun of them.  Once you finish this one, you'll want to read "Parliament of Whores," "Peace Kills," and "All the Trouble in the World."

"Carnage and Culture" by Victor Davis Hanson.  This book explores why Western cultures have kicked so much ass over the centuries.  The author is a military historian, and he describes ancient and modern warfare in exquisite, gory detail.  

"Basic Economics" and "Applied Economics," Thomas Sowell.  All his books are great, but these two are quick economics tutorials.  Read his others too, just know that they take longer.

"The Skeptical Environmentalist: Measuring the True State of the World" by Bjorn Lomborg.  Lomborg is a Danish statistics professor.  He set out to disprove statements by conservatives that the the environment isn't as bad as everyone says.  To his surprise, he found that they're mostly right.  This book is thick, but it has lots of figures, and he documents everything thoroughly.  Lomborg is hated by the hairy armpit/soapophobe environmental types.
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 12:19:29 PM EST
[#19]
I'd also recommend both Rush Limbaugh's books.   They are a pretty good articulation of why (and how) modern conservatism works.  They aren't chock full of deep thoughts and social theory, but he does talk a lot of common sense.
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 12:32:43 PM EST
[#20]
A true Conservative only need but ONE book:

JK

Link Posted: 10/12/2005 12:47:44 PM EST
[#21]

Quoted:
I'd also recommend both Rush Limbaugh's books.   They are a pretty good articulation of why (and how) modern conservatism works.  They aren't chock full of deep thoughts and social theory, but he does talk a lot of common sense.



I read both of Limbaugh's books.  They're fun reads but I can't say I walked away feeling smarter for it.  OF course after reading John Adams by David McCollough I felt much stupider!

Patty
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 3:02:14 PM EST
[#22]
"The Road to Serfdom" by Friedrich Hayek. You've probably come across people who think the Republicans are nazis but think that communism was great. Written during World War 2 by an Austrian, it describes how the differences between Socialism/Communism, and Fascism/Naziism are superficial. It also includes a primer on economics and why centrally-planned economies are so poor at allocating resources where needed.

+1

Also, +1 on Ayn Rand.  And anything and everything by Robert Heinlein.
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 3:05:45 PM EST
[#23]
Bible
Locke's Second Treatis of Government
Montesqueiu's Spirit of Laws
Blackstones Common Law

Which are the most quoted books by the Founders.
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 3:21:56 PM EST
[#24]
Ayn Rand's work is particularly enganging as it sets for the principles of logical thought and the importance of individual freedom and responsibility within the framework of fictional novels...this makes for easier reading than some texts.  It also AUGMENTS many of the essential texts discussed by putting many of those theories into thought experiments.

Ayn Rand:  the Fountainhead

      also:  Atlas Shrugged

of course, as has been mentioned The Federalist Papers, The Delaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights and The Constitution.


 I also highly reccommend studying Mid-Evil and Rennescience history as a coutnerpoint to Individual Liberties.....it gives on a good sense of WHY the Founding Fathers did what they did.
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 3:30:47 PM EST
[#25]
damn fine book


he even mentions the case of the guy from Arfcom, Rebelgray
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 4:52:16 PM EST
[#27]
I'll second "The Ten Things You Can't Say in America."  Great book.
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 5:04:23 PM EST
[#28]
"Unintended Consequences"?

I thought it was pretty good...
Link Posted: 10/12/2005 9:20:11 PM EST
[#29]
1984
The Prince
The Creature from Jekeyll Island
The Shadows of Power
The Incredible Bread Machine
The Anti-Federalist Papers
Fahrenheit 451
Democracy in America
Ann Coulter's books
They Preached Liberty
Link Posted: 10/13/2005 4:30:00 AM EST
[#30]
All right I checked Ayn Rand's book "Atlas Shrugged" and will begin reading it.  Hopefully Dad will too.
Patty
Link Posted: 10/13/2005 4:40:41 AM EST
[#31]
Liberalism is a Mental Disorder


Michael Savage
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