Neo-Conservatism by Irving Kristol, Arving Kristol

From the Publisher

The most comprehensive selection of Mr. Kristol's influential writings on politics and economics, and the best of his now-famous essays on society, religion, culture, literature, education, and--above all--the values issues that have come to define the neoconservative critique of contemporary life. Often persuasive and very wise. --Andrew Sullivan, New York Times Book Review

Andrew Sullivan

Often persuasive, and very wise. . . . From the beginning, Mr. Kristol's writing has exhibited a wealth of common sense and understated wit. This book is full of both.

James Nuechterlein

Mr. Kristol possesses a genius for making his sophisticated and nuanced arguments appear the commonplaces of everyman. . . . He has thought and written with admirable clarity, honesty, and courage.

Publishers Weekly

This hefty collection of some 40 articles and essays written since the 1950s represents a kind of summation for neocon doyen Kristol, editor of the Public Interest. Particularly interesting is his previously unpublished opening memoir concerning influences such as Lionel Trilling, Leo Strauss and army life as well as the founding of his magazine and his work with the American Enterprise Institute to extend conservatism beyond free enterprise to reflect ``on the roots of social and cultural stability.'' The articles are a varied lot. Some denigrate such topics as multiculturalism and the ``consumers' protection movement'' or declare that the 1960s counterculture was essentially unprovoked. More compelling essays reflect on the ``true purposes'' of the American Revolution, the 1960s growth of the ``new class'' and the ``perverse consequences'' of Great Society programs that ignored universal applicability. Kristol also includes several essays on Jews in America and on the country's latter-day shift to conservatism. (Sept.)

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents