While he does devote a few chapters to the his ideas towards a conservative ascendancy, Tyrrell writes a part history, part memoirs of observing and participating in the conservative movement since the 1960s.

Having grown up in the conservative movement, I know my history loosely, but only lately have I focused on the philosophical roots and history of the movement. Tyrrell’s book aligns more closely with Levin’s Liberty and Tyranny and Jonah Goldberg’s Liberal Fascism.

As a colleague of William F. Buckley, Tyrrell has spent the last few decades at the center of the vast right-wing conspiracy. His tightly written book with the occasional snarky comment is a fascinating read. He details the difference between a liberal and modern-day progressive Liberal, and a conservatives as the modern version of a classical liberal.

Having worked in the philanthropy field for a number of years, I appreciated his focus on the development of think tanks in the movement. Since I’ve worked with a number of these in the past, it was fascinating to see how they were developed.

Tyrrell doesn’t mince words when he dislikes someone or something. He correctly asserts repeatedly that conservatism worked in the past because conservatives worked together. Now, writers, pundits, personalities, bloggers, journalists, etc. are willing to attack friends and colleagues to get ahead. In order to make the current groundswell last, we need to collaborate not fight.

Not surprisingly, Tyrrell goes after what he calls “RCs” (reformed conservatives). The ones who jumped ship in 2008 and are now slowly crawling back. At the top of his list: David Frum and David Brooks (whom he calls the Davidians), Christopher Buckley and Ross Douthat.

My favorite part of After the Hangover was Tyrrell’s focus on the engaging in the culture war. As he describes, Democrats have greater political libido and will wage a war on all fronts. Conservatives have completely disengaged in popular culture. While counter-culture movements are emerging thanks to the web, the right purposely chose not to take action.

Tyrrell describes how President Reagan was warned that movement conservatives needed to get beyond politics to win the hearts and minds of Americans, but the Reagan White House and conservative leaders decided not to pursue cultural outreach.

This has led to a stranglehold of culture by the left, which is why Hollywood, music, books, entertainment and the news media are all left-wing. Conservatives missed their shot to get involved.

I’d highly recommend this entertaining and informative book. It fills the niches of memoirs, history and political analysis.

Per compliance with the FTC, I agreed to review this book for Thomas Nelson Publishing through BookSneeze. In return, they provided a complimentary copy.

Liberal Fascism, Jonah Goldberg
This is the best book that I’ve read in a while. I love studying political movements. I’m determined to finish this book quickly. I appreciate Goldberg’s sarcastic writing style. Sarcasm is under-appreciated in our society. It’s not dense, but it’s long. There’s a lot of material in each chapter, and most of it is completely unfamiliar. Having attended a Christian elementary and high school, I’m familiar with many of these concepts since history was taught with a Judeo-Christian worldview. However, Goldberg’s book shocks because it exposes so many different perspectives.

The Road to Serfdom, F.A. Hayek
There might be an impromptu book club around this. It’s on Read to Lead and is a conservative classic.

After the Hangover, R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.
A few weeks ago, I discovered BookSneeze through Thomas Nelson Publishing. They give bloggers free copies of books in exchange for reviews. The only problem is that you can only get one book at a time. I’ve also seen numerous reviews of this book lately, so I’m excited to read it.
Completed May 17, 2010

Spoken from the Heart, Laura Bush
I’ve been waiting for the release of this book. Reading the reviews, it should be good.

Sign Me Up! A Marketer’s Guide To Email Newsletters that Build Relationships and Boost Sales, Blumberg, et al. &
The Truth About Email Marketing, Simms Jenkins
These are a priority this month. In a previous post Mr. Jenkins was nice enough to comment here, so I look forward to reading his book!
Sign Me Up! Completed: May 9, 2010

Writing to Change the World, Mary Pipher
I keep wanting to start this, but other things happen. I will read this book in May.
Completed: May 16, 2010

Conscious of a Conservative, Barry Goldwater
This is another conservative classic that’s been on my reading list for a while. It’s also on Read to Lead. Today, Goldwater’s classic was on clearance at Barnes & Noble. Clearance stickers and books make a dangerous combination.
Completed: May 8, 2010

Were I already not overwhelmed with books, I would have picked up Carrie Fisher’s biography because it looks hilarious, and the new biography on Anne Boleyn by Alison Weir. Boleyn is a fascinating character, and biographers have only recently given her attention. Last year, I read a biography from the 70s that essentially chronicled her through the spin that Henry VIII created during her trial and death. I’ve also read newer biographies of Elizabeth I that have been much more sympathetic to her mother. Weir’s perspective looks interesting.

If anyone ever gets the impression that I’m a stuffy high-brow conservative, who only reads biographies and political books, rest assured that my taste is also middle America plebeian. Earlier, I penciled in the release of Dead in the Family, the latest Sookie Stackhouse novel by Charlaine Harris, on my calendar. I ran to Target when it was released on Tuesday and bought it. I only have about 30 more pages to read. I try to feed the brain with more “smart books,” but who can resist the occasional fun novel?
Completed May 7, 2010