“This book has been one of the most influential books I have ever read. I have always been a traditionalist at heart, and Russell Kirk's book helped to outline and elaborate the political tradition of my heritage. Kirk discusses the lives and ideas of major conservative politicians, scholars and writers from Edmund Burke through the early twentieth century. As this book demonstrates, conservatism is a resistance against new and innovating political and social ideas, in favor of what has been tested through time and has served as a bower for civilization; routed and weak, but still hopeful and insistent. Conservatism is non-ideological as its basis is not a system of beliefs but a series of observations. It is noble and realistic, because it looks to high ideals while keeping well in its sight the essentially flawed nature of humanity. It is a philosophy based on humility, on awe and veneration, and on community and diversity. Kirk's achievement is even more useful today, as it refers to first principles in an age that has forgotten its roots; and as and conservatism is largely mistaken for cupidity and unthinking stubbornness. A mammoth of a book (in scope and depth as well as in physical size), yet worth every word of every page.”
Michael wrote this review Tuesday, September 16 2008.
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