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A conservative reading list
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The following is a list of books that I would encourage all conservatives to read. Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list, and there are dozens of other excellent books available on conservative thought, by some brilliant thinkers. The following are pieces that I have read personally; some have influenced me, and others are simply entertaining reads. If anyone has suggestions of their own, I would be glad to take a look.
1. The United States Constitution. Always start at the beginning. Absolutely essential reading. I am constantly amazed by the fact that so many people, including some politicians and so-called political pundits, have no idea what the Consitution actually says.
2. The Federalist Papers. If you want to understand the Consitution, what better source than the men who helped to write it? If you have time, you should read them all, but if you can't, make sure to read No. 10 (by Madison, on the threat of factions) and everything by Hamilton. Most, if not all of them, are presumably available on-line.
3. Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. The best biography I have ever read. Chernow paints an informative and intimate portrait of our least understood, most brilliant, and possibly most influential founding father. Formerly dismissed as a die-hard monarchist and enemy of democracy, Hamilton has thankfully enjoyed a sort of reinvention among modern historians. If George Washington is the father of our country, Hamilton is the father of our economy.
4. The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith. One of Hamilton's favorite books, and the Bible of free market economics, Smith's treatise had a huge influence on our founding fathers. Again, if you can't find the time to read the entire treatise, find time to read the first two chapters, which are availabe on-line
6. The Road to Serfdom by F.A. Hayek. I was introduced to Hayek when I took a class called "Conservative Political Thought" at UW-Madison. How the professor, who was probably the only conservative in the entire political science department, got this class approved at UW remains a mystery. A brilliant work by a brilliant thinker.
6. Reflections on the Revolution in France by Edmund Burke. Another book I discovered in that class at UW. Burke, one of the greatest statesmen in British history, dissects the French Revolution and its dissent into anarchy and tyranny.
7 and 8. Capitalism and Freedom and Free to Choose, both by Milton Friedman. Friedman was one of the most influential economists of the last 100 years, and a stauch supporter of free market capitalism. Capitalism and Freedom, first published in 1962, was ahead of its time in discussing issues ranging from welfare to school vouchers. Free to Choose is sort of a companion piece. Both are enlightening and entertaining.
9. The Tempting of America by Robert Bork. Bork was one of the most controversial of all Supreme Court nominees, but this book establishes that he was more than qualified to sit on the highest court in the land. Bork destroys judicial activism as a philosophy and practice, urging courts to interpret the Constitution according to the original understanding of the framers. Newer editions of this book include his personal account of his nomination hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. I can't recommend this book enough.
10. 100 People Who are Ruining America (and Al Franken is No. 37) by Bernard Goldberg. Goldberg deserves applause by taking a shot at Al Franken before you even open the book. Goldberg does attack at least one figure who is revered by many on the Right (Michael Savage), but the book remains a withering and entertaining criticism of liberals in all of their wacky glory. He is especially hard on college professors such as Ward Churchill and his ilk. This one is a real page turner.
I hope you enjoy reading these works as much I did.
Until next time, stay sharp.
