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mikecross's review against another edition
5.0
A masterpiece by a verbose and well-stated author! Much more than just politics, and a great mix of history and philosophy. I you like the author, this is basically a culmination of all his political thoughts. A must read!
phaedosia's review against another edition
3.0
I admit I picked this up because I confused George Will with Robert George. I like that Robert George and Cornell West present together and so wanted to deeply understand each of their stances and maybe understand how they are still able to engage in civil discourse in a time when that seems impossible.
This book needed an editor. It was meandering and repetitive. I did come away with a better understanding of conservatism, but I wish I had picked up something more concise and pointed. Even though there were things I disagreed with, I appreciated that he really does love this country and seems to hope for the best.
This book needed an editor. It was meandering and repetitive. I did come away with a better understanding of conservatism, but I wish I had picked up something more concise and pointed. Even though there were things I disagreed with, I appreciated that he really does love this country and seems to hope for the best.
steven_weinstein's review against another edition
5.0
Quite enjoyed this. Good to learn the underpinnings of conservatism: Locke, Burke, etc. The idea of a human nature that can be shaped/modified by govt is not then really a human nature.
jpwright87's review against another edition
3.0
A conservative libertarian (or vice-versa) attempts to define American conservatism. What's being conserved is the beliefs/ideals of the founding generation:
1. modest expectations of what can be achieved
2. belief in a human nature and the natural rights that that allows
3. maximum social space in society to allow dynamism from below
4. freedom from traditional ties to tribe and race
5. federalism
The vague picture of how those beliefs were brought to bear through American history requires that it be a sensibility. Will sidesteps a lot of historical questions by focusing on defining his conservatism, not proving that his conservatism truly existed at any time or even that it was correct. This is essential, as what he's defining as conservatism shows up in some unexpected places (such as in defense of non-English immigrant schools against pressure to uniformity by the government, which is understood as progressive, progressivism essentially meaning social engineering.). And as far as important figures goes, Madison is the creator and Wilson the destroyer. Will never mentions the T word, and with his long-term perspective he no doubt hopes that the Trump phenomenon will remain that, with populist conservatism melting away.
He offers most of the typical conservative solutions along with a few unexpected ones (return election of senators to senate legislatures). The limitations of the view are also typical, with little to say about the individualist-breaking effects of poverty and other social ills. There's certainly a lot I agree with, such as reducing the power of the executive in order to force the legislative to take responsibility, and re-emphasizing our federalist structure to maybe cool off the culture wars.
The book goes into great depth on a lot of well-trodden ground, and it often feels like the work of someone nearly at the end of their life: as a summary of things said for the hundredth time or as if the past is more alive to them than the present. Not sure that bodes well for its influence on the present, but I'll be lucky if I can read books at age 80, much less write them.
1. modest expectations of what can be achieved
2. belief in a human nature and the natural rights that that allows
3. maximum social space in society to allow dynamism from below
4. freedom from traditional ties to tribe and race
5. federalism
The vague picture of how those beliefs were brought to bear through American history requires that it be a sensibility. Will sidesteps a lot of historical questions by focusing on defining his conservatism, not proving that his conservatism truly existed at any time or even that it was correct. This is essential, as what he's defining as conservatism shows up in some unexpected places (such as in defense of non-English immigrant schools against pressure to uniformity by the government, which is understood as progressive, progressivism essentially meaning social engineering.). And as far as important figures goes, Madison is the creator and Wilson the destroyer. Will never mentions the T word, and with his long-term perspective he no doubt hopes that the Trump phenomenon will remain that, with populist conservatism melting away.
He offers most of the typical conservative solutions along with a few unexpected ones (return election of senators to senate legislatures). The limitations of the view are also typical, with little to say about the individualist-breaking effects of poverty and other social ills. There's certainly a lot I agree with, such as reducing the power of the executive in order to force the legislative to take responsibility, and re-emphasizing our federalist structure to maybe cool off the culture wars.
The book goes into great depth on a lot of well-trodden ground, and it often feels like the work of someone nearly at the end of their life: as a summary of things said for the hundredth time or as if the past is more alive to them than the present. Not sure that bodes well for its influence on the present, but I'll be lucky if I can read books at age 80, much less write them.
rebleejen's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
This book feels even longer than it is because it's so dense, but it's the best articulation of non-partisan conservatism I've ever read.
Although it's not meant to be, it is also one of the more depressing books I've read, so there's that.
Although it's not meant to be, it is also one of the more depressing books I've read, so there's that.
jameshendrickson's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great history of the US and some of the fundamental beliefs held by the founders of the United States. Dr. Will clearly articulates what it means to "conserve" the constitution and the nations founding principles but he fails offer a viable solution for where we are today and how we (whether conservative or liberal) can find our way through these difficult times.
From a right leaning perspective Dr. Will is a champion for the past doctrines that founded our nation and he does a great job making the case for the universalism of those beliefs.
From a left leaning view Dr. Will shows all that is wrong with conservatism in America: Conservatives look back and not forward, they long for days gone by when beliefs and values meant more than they do today, and that these beliefs are vanishing or already gone as the central tenet of the conservative.
This books loses some credibility by not offering any real suggestions to improve government today (other than the predictable, and bland, exhortations to look backwards to when things were better (or felt that they are were better). This book is more comfortable telling us how we've lost our way but offers nothing on how to find it again.
Finally, the smug cheap-shots at views differing from those of the author are just tiresome and and unnecessary and lowers his moral purpose and standing.
I highly recommend this book for a history of American politics but it cannot be used to take any meaningful action to change the place we are in.
From a right leaning perspective Dr. Will is a champion for the past doctrines that founded our nation and he does a great job making the case for the universalism of those beliefs.
From a left leaning view Dr. Will shows all that is wrong with conservatism in America: Conservatives look back and not forward, they long for days gone by when beliefs and values meant more than they do today, and that these beliefs are vanishing or already gone as the central tenet of the conservative.
This books loses some credibility by not offering any real suggestions to improve government today (other than the predictable, and bland, exhortations to look backwards to when things were better (or felt that they are were better). This book is more comfortable telling us how we've lost our way but offers nothing on how to find it again.
Finally, the smug cheap-shots at views differing from those of the author are just tiresome and and unnecessary and lowers his moral purpose and standing.
I highly recommend this book for a history of American politics but it cannot be used to take any meaningful action to change the place we are in.
alex_pritz's review against another edition
5.0
Pessimistic optimism
Weirdly enough, provides a hopeful message for the future of our Republic by reminding the reader of where we have come from.
Weirdly enough, provides a hopeful message for the future of our Republic by reminding the reader of where we have come from.
theartolater's review against another edition
5.0
Probably the best book on conservatism and conservative politics/beliefs I've read in over a decade. Deserves to be in the overall canon alongside Goldwater's Conscience of a Conservative and Sowell's The Vision of the Anointed as a great resource about what conservatism is in light of how Trump's last four years have cast a shadow over the movement.
nicolascoleman3's review against another edition
2.0
Well written, presented in a civil and conscise manner. Still wrong.