The most neglected period in the history of American conservatism has been the first half of the twentieth century. Yet it was a period that laid the intellectual groundwork for many of the ideas central to political and social theory today: the necessity for limited government, the primacy of private property, the need for economic decentralization, and the value of America's tradition of federalism. This volume brings together a representative sample of conservative thinking during this period.
What They're Saying...
"You can't understand the history of American thought without this critically important volume."
— John Podhoretz
"Here is the first generation of American conservative intellectuals, in all their uncomfortable glory; prickly, quirky, unclubbably aristocratic and as individual a the idiosyncratic philosophies they espoused. Compassionate conservatives they most definitely weren't, and their angry anti-modernism has not yet lost its power to startle and provoke. For those short-sighted youngsters who think conservatism started with Ronald Reagan or Barry Goldwater—or even Bill Buckley—this admirably edited collection will supply a swift kick in the preconceptions."
— Terry Teachout
"Theirs was a DIFFERENT conservatism, principled and void of odious pragmatism. Now you can read the works that helped lay the foundation for today's emphasis on limited government, private property, economic decentralization, and traditional American federalism . . ."
— Conservative Book Club
"This book has variety enough of authors and points of view to please no one, if the reader is looking for an agreeable few hours of innocent pleasure. On the other hand, if you can tolerate varying opinions and enjoy statements that are clearly written though not of your persuasion, you might find the book a delight."
— The St. Croix Review