The conservative mind : from Burke to Eliot

Description

The Conservative Mind by Russell Kirk is arguably one of the greatest contributions to twentieth-century American Conservatism. Brilliant in every respect, from its conception to its choice of significant figures representing the history of intellectual conservatism, The Conservative Mind by Russell Kirk launched the modern American Conservative Movement. A must-read. Review ''[It] is inconceivable even to imagine, let alone hope for, a dominant conservative movement in America without [Kirk's] labor.'' --William F. Buckley, Jr. ''Kirk is assured a place of prominence in the intellectual histories for helping to define the ethical basis of conservatism. He has tried to pull conservatism away from the utilitarian premises of liberalism, toward which conservatism often veers, toward a philosophy rooted in ethics and culture.'' --Wall Street Journal About the Author RUSSELL KIRK (1918-1994), historian of ideas, critic, essayist, editor, and novelist, was the author of thirty-two books. Among them are The Roots of American Order, The Politics of Prudence, Enemies of the Permanent Things, and six works of fiction. He received twelve honorary doctorates from American universities and many awards, including the Presidential Citizens Medal. Content: The making of The Conservative Mind -- Foreword -- The idea of conservativism -- Burke and the politics of prescription -- John Adams and liberty under law -- Romantics and Utilitarians -- Southern Conservatism: Randolph and Calhoun -- Liberal Conservatives: Macaulay, Cooper, Tocqueville -- Transitional Conservatism: New England sketches -- Concervatism with imagination: Disraeli and Newman -- Legal and historical conservatism: a time of foreboding -- Conservatism frustrated: America, 1865-1918 -- English Conservatism adrift: the Twentieth Century -- Critical Conservatism: Babbitt, More, Santayana -- Conservatives' promise -- Notes.