The Conscience of a Conservative

by Barry M. Goldwater, CC Goldwater, Sean Wilentz, George F. Will, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Overview

In 1960, Barry Goldwater set forth his brief manifesto in The Conscience of a Conservative. Written at the height of the Cold War and in the wake of America's greatest experiment with big government, the New Deal, Goldwater's message was not only remarkable, but radical. He argued for the value and importance of conservative principles—freedom, foremost among them—in contemporary political life. Using the principles he espoused in this concise but powerful book, Goldwater fundamentally altered the political landscape of his day—and ours.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691131177
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	04/23/2007
Series:	The James Madison Library in American Politics , #1
Edition description:	With a New afterword by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	358,291
Product dimensions:	4.70(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Barry M. Goldwater (1909-1998) was a five-term U.S. senator from Arizona whose 1964 campaign for president is credited with reviving American conservatism. His books include With No Apologies and a memoir, Goldwater. CC Goldwater is the granddaughter of Barry Goldwater and the producer of the HBO documentary Mr. Conservative: Goldwater on Goldwater

Table of Contents

General Editor's Introduction vii
Foreword by George F. Will ix
Preface xxi
Chapter 1: The Conscience of a Conservative 1
Chapter 2: The Perils of Power 7
Chapter 3: States’ Rights 17
Chapter 4: And Civil Rights 25
Chapter 5: Freedom for the Farmer 33
Chapter 6: Freedom for Labor 39
Chapter 7: Taxes and Spending 53
Chapter 8: The Welfare State 63
Chapter 9: Some Notes on Education 71
Chapter 10: The Soviet Menace 81
Afterword by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. 121
Index 139

Editorial Reviews

"The book lays out, clearly and succinctly, [Goldwater's] uncompromising views. Goldwater held freedom as the highest value in American society: freedom from law, freedom from government, freedom from anybody else's vision but your own. You can argue with him on the particulars, but there's something compelling about his quintessentially American notion of self-reliance."—-David Ulin, Los Angeles Times

"The new Conscience of a Conservative takes what might be called the 'anti-fusionist' side in the Goldwater wars...The Conscience of a Conservative continues to be read today because it isn't a political tract, a soulless campaign book of the sort generated by every other modern presidential effort."—-Daniel McCarthy, The American Conservative

"Praise for the original edition: "Goldwater's conservatism is not isolationism, nor is it a cold-blooded commitment to the 'haves' as against the 'have-nots.' It is the creed of a fighter who has both a warm heart and a clear mind."—-John Chamberlain, Wall Street Journal

"Praise for the original edition: There is more harsh fact and hard sense in this slight book than will emerge from all of the chatter of this year's session of Congress. . . . Sen. Goldwater is one of a handful of authentic conservatives. . . . [H]e has the clarity of courage and the courage of clarity."—-George Morgenstern, Chicago Tribune

"It is good that C.C. Goldwater brings us this new edition. It directs new attention to a political figure who, though fiery, was never mean-spirited or unfairly partisan."—-Max J. Skidmore, European Legacy

From the Publisher

It is good that C.C. Goldwater brings us this new edition. It directs new attention to a political figure who, though fiery, was never mean-spirited or unfairly partisan.

European Legacy - Max J. Skidmore

Praise for the original edition: There is more harsh fact and hard sense in this slight book than will emerge from all of the chatter of this year's session of Congress. . . . Sen. Goldwater is one of a handful of authentic conservatives. . . . [H]e has the clarity of courage and the courage of clarity.

Chicago Tribune - George Morgenstern

Praise for the original edition: Goldwater's conservatism is not isolationism, nor is it a cold-blooded commitment to the 'haves' as against the 'have-nots.' It is the creed of a fighter who has both a warm heart and a clear mind.

Wall Street Journal - John Chamberlain

The new Conscience of a Conservative takes what might be called the 'anti-fusionist' side in the Goldwater wars...The Conscience of a Conservative continues to be read today because it isn't a political tract, a soulless campaign book of the sort generated by every other modern presidential effort.

The American Conservative - Daniel McCarthy

The book lays out, clearly and succinctly, [Goldwater's] uncompromising views. Goldwater held freedom as the highest value in American society: freedom from law, freedom from government, freedom from anybody else's vision but your own. You can argue with him on the particulars, but there's something compelling about his quintessentially American notion of self-reliance.

Los Angeles Times - David Ulin

It is good that C.C. Goldwater brings us this new edition. It directs new attention to a political figure who, though fiery, was never mean-spirited or unfairly partisan.
— Max J. Skidmore

European Legacy

The new Conscience of a Conservative takes what might be called the 'anti-fusionist' side in the Goldwater wars...The Conscience of a Conservative continues to be read today because it isn't a political tract, a soulless campaign book of the sort generated by every other modern presidential effort.
— Daniel McCarthy

The American Conservative

The book lays out, clearly and succinctly, [Goldwater's] uncompromising views. Goldwater held freedom as the highest value in American society: freedom from law, freedom from government, freedom from anybody else's vision but your own. You can argue with him on the particulars, but there's something compelling about his quintessentially American notion of self-reliance.
— David Ulin

Los Angeles Times

Praise for the original edition: There is more harsh fact and hard sense in this slight book than will emerge from all of the chatter of this year's session of Congress. . . . Sen. Goldwater is one of a handful of authentic conservatives. . . . [H]e has the clarity of courage and the courage of clarity.
— George Morgenstern

Chicago Tribune

Praise for the original edition: Goldwater's conservatism is not isolationism, nor is it a cold-blooded commitment to the 'haves' as against the 'have-nots.' It is the creed of a fighter who has both a warm heart and a clear mind.
— John Chamberlain

Wall Street Journal