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garzonr's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
3.75
The first five chapters give a quick yet informative survey of conservative intellectual history in Europe and America. I found it to be well written, interesting, and filled with useful references to other work. I'm not expert on this tradition though, so I can't speak to its accuracy.
The last chapter, concerned primarily with modern conservatism in America an Europe, says it is generally based on two pillars: opposition to political correctness and militant Islam. This chapter was, in my view, really weak. It came across as a pathological desire for intellectual victimhood and ahistorical mewling.
The last chapter, concerned primarily with modern conservatism in America an Europe, says it is generally based on two pillars: opposition to political correctness and militant Islam. This chapter was, in my view, really weak. It came across as a pathological desire for intellectual victimhood and ahistorical mewling.
jedwardsusc's review against another edition
3.0
It's a decent, if limited, introduction to Anglo-American conservatism. I'd consider recommending it to students looking for historical background and as a tool for exploring the strengths and (although mostly unacknowledged by Scruton) weaknesses of the Anglo-American conservative tradition.
chinney's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Survey of conservative thought over 600 years, including separation from liberalism and libertarianism. Worth re-reading.
obscurereads's review against another edition
5.0
This book will really speaks to you on a fundamental level if, like me, you feel that things aren't as they should be. It reaches back, not with an unrealistic sense of nostalgia, but with a sober view of what objectively constitutes beauty, culture, and meaning. It offers a rich framework from which we can build up an idea of liberty and freedom. In opposition to an unbridled and utopian "progressivism" which seeks to tear down established orders in pursuit of an ideal, this picture of Conservatism offers a real moderating force. A grassroots idea of culture and meaning upon which we can reign in abstract ideas such as socialism/marxism before they get out of hand. It's honestly a very attentive, mature and impressive book.
deletednullfakeuser's review against another edition
4.0
A good overview of the origins and development of conservative thought. I think it very clearly, though unwittingly, demonstrates the extremely ad-hoc and unsophisticated origins of much of the ideas it seeks to proselytize for. A consequence of holding on to liberalism when in reality it's fundamentally contrary to all the things conservatives claim to be seeking. A very frequent theme seems to be people with horrible/incorrect ideas (classical liberals, marxists, athiests etc.) seeing what happens when those ideas come into reality and hating the result, but then not reassessing their principles but using the analysis that was the source of the problems to look for solutions to it.
A vague sense of religion and reverence for old things they don't actually understand can never heal the wounds the lack of it created. Nearly all of the thinkers he makes reference to are great examples of people who want to maintain their snobbish separation from the classical and genuinely religious (from the little I know Scruton may have been in this camp as well, or was at least Anglican which isn't much better), but somehow maintain the good things that can only come from that integrity. Trying to maintain things for social utility is just lying and can only lead to chaos.
They still had many very good insights into society/culture/politics and he touches on the valuable things they did seek to conserve, but unfortunately the contradictions inherent in the project of trying to maintain some of those modern ideas while rejecting the fruits has only led to a long history of impotence and decline.
Though I'm critical of the project I think this book does convey it quite clearly for better or worse. Your evaluation on conservativism will depend on your estimation of marxists and other liars who think Religon and family are nice because they prevent the full consequences of their evil ideas from coming to fruition.
A vague sense of religion and reverence for old things they don't actually understand can never heal the wounds the lack of it created. Nearly all of the thinkers he makes reference to are great examples of people who want to maintain their snobbish separation from the classical and genuinely religious (from the little I know Scruton may have been in this camp as well, or was at least Anglican which isn't much better), but somehow maintain the good things that can only come from that integrity. Trying to maintain things for social utility is just lying and can only lead to chaos.
They still had many very good insights into society/culture/politics and he touches on the valuable things they did seek to conserve, but unfortunately the contradictions inherent in the project of trying to maintain some of those modern ideas while rejecting the fruits has only led to a long history of impotence and decline.
Though I'm critical of the project I think this book does convey it quite clearly for better or worse. Your evaluation on conservativism will depend on your estimation of marxists and other liars who think Religon and family are nice because they prevent the full consequences of their evil ideas from coming to fruition.
rheckner's review against another edition
4.0
Provocative, probing, and stimulating. A tour of the intellectuals that Scruton sees as constituting the conservative heritage. This short but incisive book should be read by anyone seeking to seriously understand conservatism today, especially if one is inclined to disagree with conservatives generally of Scruton in particular.
As I continue to find and articulate a political philosophy that I find best, my thoughts on conservatism will make some reference to this book. If, indeed, it is correct in labeling some of the intellectuals as cornerstones of modern conservative I will be pushed away for conservatism inasmuch as I disagree with those thinkers. Nevertheless, Scruton has offer a clear and concise picture of a conservative intellectual heritage.
As I continue to find and articulate a political philosophy that I find best, my thoughts on conservatism will make some reference to this book. If, indeed, it is correct in labeling some of the intellectuals as cornerstones of modern conservative I will be pushed away for conservatism inasmuch as I disagree with those thinkers. Nevertheless, Scruton has offer a clear and concise picture of a conservative intellectual heritage.
matttrevithick's review
4.0
Interesting primer running through the highlight reel of conservative / classical liberal thought from the last 500 years or so, with an emphasis on the US - Anglo take but heavy inclusion of French and German thought. He tips his hand in more than a few places but it’s generally one of those small books where most pages are thought provoking.
Most interesting for me was a basic observation - how, for all the novelty of the modern world, so many of the discussions we have around human nature and the specific role of government in working with / constraining / enabling that nature have been going on literally verbatim since the 1500s - equality of outcome vs equality of opportunity, excessive individualism vs stifling culture, Utopianism (govt towards an end) vs skepticism (govt as dealing with humans as they are). All of these themes can be ripped straight from today’s headlines.
Most interesting for me was a basic observation - how, for all the novelty of the modern world, so many of the discussions we have around human nature and the specific role of government in working with / constraining / enabling that nature have been going on literally verbatim since the 1500s - equality of outcome vs equality of opportunity, excessive individualism vs stifling culture, Utopianism (govt towards an end) vs skepticism (govt as dealing with humans as they are). All of these themes can be ripped straight from today’s headlines.
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