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Missing Monarchy: What Americans Get Wrong About Monarchy, Democracy, Feudalism, And Liberty
380 pages, Hardcover
Published May 24, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 27, 2024
I enjoyed reading “Missing Monarchy, Correcting Misconceptions About The Middle Ages, Medieval Kingship, Democracy, and Liberty.” When one is reading ancient history - and I’ve been a student of recent history (from about 1800) for over sixty years, the phrase, ‘how lucky we are,’ rolls off the tongue when we consider our comparative western luxury. But I guess that after reading this reminder of real history and the way our ancient ancestors lived, one begins to question the democratic authoritarianism that most of us now take for granted as part of our culture.
I am a Christian. Jeb presents an argument for Christianity and it's necessity in Western culture. I do not live in America and cannot comment on the implications of restoring monarchy, nevertheless I seriously question the suggestions raised in ‘Appendix A’ titled ‘Possibilities’, due to man’s sinful nature. (page 344 para 3 part quote - “The founders allowed man’s natural sinful impulses to rule while dismissing the idea of a purposeful Christian nation. They undermined the foundation for liberty by not placing the king of kings on the nation’s throne, thus ensuring eventual secular tyranny. I do not think everyone should have the liberty to do as they please. There is genuinely right and wrong; a realm should be based on this rather than personal beliefs and opinions.” (end quote)
I spent several weeks reading, re-reading and digesting it’s contents. This book contains many lessons about modern western societies and gives readers plenty to think about.
I received this book from LibraryThing for an honest review and I award it 4 stars.
I am a Christian. Jeb presents an argument for Christianity and it's necessity in Western culture. I do not live in America and cannot comment on the implications of restoring monarchy, nevertheless I seriously question the suggestions raised in ‘Appendix A’ titled ‘Possibilities’, due to man’s sinful nature. (page 344 para 3 part quote - “The founders allowed man’s natural sinful impulses to rule while dismissing the idea of a purposeful Christian nation. They undermined the foundation for liberty by not placing the king of kings on the nation’s throne, thus ensuring eventual secular tyranny. I do not think everyone should have the liberty to do as they please. There is genuinely right and wrong; a realm should be based on this rather than personal beliefs and opinions.” (end quote)
I spent several weeks reading, re-reading and digesting it’s contents. This book contains many lessons about modern western societies and gives readers plenty to think about.
I received this book from LibraryThing for an honest review and I award it 4 stars.
December 5, 2024
Exceptional...If you think the medieval era is synonymous with the Dark Ages, think again. Smith's informative and extensively researched Missing Monarchy first dispels long-held myths about the medieval period, kingship, and life in the Middle Ages, then delivers an eloquent and devastating critique of democracy. After reading, one begins to question the democratic authoritarianism and politicization of modern society that we all take for granted, while also feeling a sense of nostalgia and a longing for the freedoms of our medieval predecessors...For anyone who has ever dreamt of escaping modernity's Matrix, this book is an eye-opening must-read.
-Micheal Warren Davis is an Editor with Sophia Institute Press and the author of The Reactionary Mind and After Christendom.
This book is a marvelous step in the effort to rehabilitate the place of the Middle Ages in the western tradition. The modern fixation on classical political rhetoric and government forms is due to the early modern nuveu-riche and their attempts to seize power from lawful and effective aristocratic lineages. Jeb does a great job of illustrating this process, the gradual loss of real freedoms for perceived "security" gifted by powerful central bureaucracies. Slowly, medievalists are finding their voices in modern social dialogues heard because of poignant works such as this one.
-Joe Morrel Adjunct Professor of History at University of Dallas
Most think it is obvious modern democracy is better than medieval feudalism. But, even if it is, perhaps we're exaggerating the goodness of the former and overstating the badness of the latter. This fascinating book will give readers plenty to think about on these topics.
-Jason Brennan is the Robert J. and Elizabeth Flanagan Family Professor of strategy, economics, ethics, and public policy at Georgetown University
Adopting a religion of force and technical mastery, modern men and women empowered the state - the overarching apparatus of compulsion and coercion...Inevitably, they got ever bigger wars and ever stricter regulations of their individual freedom...In telling the story of how medieval man tried to forestall a relapse into Ancient Rome's religion of force, power and grandeur by institutionalizing a religion of wisdom, reason and humility at every level of society, Jeb Smith's book holds a wealth of valuable lessons, not only about the Middle Ages but also about our modern predicaments.
-Dr. Frank van Dun, Philosopher of Law (ret.), Universities of Ghent (Belgium) and Maastricht (The Netherlands)
When you think of democracy, what comes to mind? Freedom, justice, equality? In author Jeb Smith's new book, Missing Monarchy... you'll uncover startling truths about the systems we hold so dear...and why our democratic utopia could be a mirage. This isn't a critique of political sides but an exploration into the foundations of our governance... groundbreaking exploration of history and government...unlock the secrets of the past, to understand our present.
-Brian Lehrer, The Brian Lehrer Show iheart Radio
Missing Monarchy: Correcting Misconceptions About The Middle Ages, Medieval Kingship, Democracy, And Liberty is a unique, eye-opening take on the feudal system of the Middle Ages. It covers the benefits of the current broken system of democracy and compares and contrasts the kings and lords of yesteryear versus the slimy politicians of today...The further you go back, the more rights the people had....Missing Monarchy is a must-read for anyone who wants to open their eyes to the way the government exerts its power over us to control and squeeze every penny possible from our bank accounts to feed their agendas. All this is done behind the scenes and under the guise of free choice through democracy.
-San Diego Book Review 5 Star Review
"Missing Monarchy" emerges not merely as a historical examination but as a profound challenge to our understanding of freedom, governance, and the very essence of democracy itself. This book beckons to those daring enough to question the foundation of their beliefs and discover that perhaps, in the echoes of history, lies a truth far more liberating than previously imagined.
-Geoff Carter The flagship UK Talk Radio Breakfast Show Reviews
Smith challenges the prevailing misconceptions and romanticized visions of democracy that dominate contemporary American thought..."Missing Monarchy" is both scholarly and provocative...Smith's arguments are well-researched and compellingly presented, making the book a significant contribution to political and historical discourse. Jeb Smith's "Missing Monarchy" challenges readers to question deeply held beliefs about governance and the nature of power. It is a thoughtful, well-argued, and timely critique of democracy through the lens of historical monarchy, providing a fresh perspective on what governance could look like if informed by the past. The book is recommended for those interested in political theory, history, and critiques of modern governance systems.
-Luciano Anastasi Medieval History
"a fascinating and powerful critique of modern governance, centered around the myth of "democracy." We all like to imagine the medieval world as poor, nasty and brutish. We do this in order to glorify the modern era. Missing Monarchy uses the keen edge of medieval monrachy to cut asunder the ruse of contemporary arrogance."
-The Postil Magazine
Jeb Smith's Missing Monarchy is a thought-provoking exploration of historical and modern governance. By challenging conventional beliefs about the Middle Ages and democracy, Smith offers readers a fresh perspective on freedom and political systems. His arguments encourage a deeper understanding of the complexities of power and governance and highlight the potential for developing societies that truly value and protect individual liberties. Whether you are interested in history, political science, or simply looking for new insights on governance, Missing Monarchy promises a captivating and enlightening read.
-Creative Minds Paxjones
-Micheal Warren Davis is an Editor with Sophia Institute Press and the author of The Reactionary Mind and After Christendom.
This book is a marvelous step in the effort to rehabilitate the place of the Middle Ages in the western tradition. The modern fixation on classical political rhetoric and government forms is due to the early modern nuveu-riche and their attempts to seize power from lawful and effective aristocratic lineages. Jeb does a great job of illustrating this process, the gradual loss of real freedoms for perceived "security" gifted by powerful central bureaucracies. Slowly, medievalists are finding their voices in modern social dialogues heard because of poignant works such as this one.
-Joe Morrel Adjunct Professor of History at University of Dallas
Most think it is obvious modern democracy is better than medieval feudalism. But, even if it is, perhaps we're exaggerating the goodness of the former and overstating the badness of the latter. This fascinating book will give readers plenty to think about on these topics.
-Jason Brennan is the Robert J. and Elizabeth Flanagan Family Professor of strategy, economics, ethics, and public policy at Georgetown University
Adopting a religion of force and technical mastery, modern men and women empowered the state - the overarching apparatus of compulsion and coercion...Inevitably, they got ever bigger wars and ever stricter regulations of their individual freedom...In telling the story of how medieval man tried to forestall a relapse into Ancient Rome's religion of force, power and grandeur by institutionalizing a religion of wisdom, reason and humility at every level of society, Jeb Smith's book holds a wealth of valuable lessons, not only about the Middle Ages but also about our modern predicaments.
-Dr. Frank van Dun, Philosopher of Law (ret.), Universities of Ghent (Belgium) and Maastricht (The Netherlands)
When you think of democracy, what comes to mind? Freedom, justice, equality? In author Jeb Smith's new book, Missing Monarchy... you'll uncover startling truths about the systems we hold so dear...and why our democratic utopia could be a mirage. This isn't a critique of political sides but an exploration into the foundations of our governance... groundbreaking exploration of history and government...unlock the secrets of the past, to understand our present.
-Brian Lehrer, The Brian Lehrer Show iheart Radio
Missing Monarchy: Correcting Misconceptions About The Middle Ages, Medieval Kingship, Democracy, And Liberty is a unique, eye-opening take on the feudal system of the Middle Ages. It covers the benefits of the current broken system of democracy and compares and contrasts the kings and lords of yesteryear versus the slimy politicians of today...The further you go back, the more rights the people had....Missing Monarchy is a must-read for anyone who wants to open their eyes to the way the government exerts its power over us to control and squeeze every penny possible from our bank accounts to feed their agendas. All this is done behind the scenes and under the guise of free choice through democracy.
-San Diego Book Review 5 Star Review
"Missing Monarchy" emerges not merely as a historical examination but as a profound challenge to our understanding of freedom, governance, and the very essence of democracy itself. This book beckons to those daring enough to question the foundation of their beliefs and discover that perhaps, in the echoes of history, lies a truth far more liberating than previously imagined.
-Geoff Carter The flagship UK Talk Radio Breakfast Show Reviews
Smith challenges the prevailing misconceptions and romanticized visions of democracy that dominate contemporary American thought..."Missing Monarchy" is both scholarly and provocative...Smith's arguments are well-researched and compellingly presented, making the book a significant contribution to political and historical discourse. Jeb Smith's "Missing Monarchy" challenges readers to question deeply held beliefs about governance and the nature of power. It is a thoughtful, well-argued, and timely critique of democracy through the lens of historical monarchy, providing a fresh perspective on what governance could look like if informed by the past. The book is recommended for those interested in political theory, history, and critiques of modern governance systems.
-Luciano Anastasi Medieval History
"a fascinating and powerful critique of modern governance, centered around the myth of "democracy." We all like to imagine the medieval world as poor, nasty and brutish. We do this in order to glorify the modern era. Missing Monarchy uses the keen edge of medieval monrachy to cut asunder the ruse of contemporary arrogance."
-The Postil Magazine
Jeb Smith's Missing Monarchy is a thought-provoking exploration of historical and modern governance. By challenging conventional beliefs about the Middle Ages and democracy, Smith offers readers a fresh perspective on freedom and political systems. His arguments encourage a deeper understanding of the complexities of power and governance and highlight the potential for developing societies that truly value and protect individual liberties. Whether you are interested in history, political science, or simply looking for new insights on governance, Missing Monarchy promises a captivating and enlightening read.
-Creative Minds Paxjones
December 19, 2024
"Missing Monarchy" by Jeb Smith is a superb, revelatory work that boldly dismantles the romanticized illusions of so-called modern democracy and offers a deeply resonant argument for the restoration of divinely ordained kingship. I found Smith’s thesis brilliantly convincing and morally clarifying.
Smith dares to take on the sacred cow of our age: the idea that democracy, with its frenzied elections and faithless politicking, leads to freedom. Instead, he exposes how it fosters an insidious form of enslavement, subjecting the individual to the chaotic whims of mass opinion and endless ideological wrangling. In democracy’s leveling zeal, we lose the right to contract individually with those who would lead us, whether it be a lord, king, or city berger.
The author painstakingly illustrates how, in contrast to our contemporary servitude to temporal passions, the medieval feudal system—though frequently misunderstood—actually nurtured a deeply personal sort of freedom. Within the time-honored hierarchy under a king, each man, woman, and family enjoyed a known place in the social order and had amazing freedom to choose the laws and lords they would live under on an individual basis. Their security, dignity, and duties flowed from a sanctified arrangement in which ultimate power and responsibility rested not with a fickle populace.
"Missing Monarchy" stands as a resounding call for a re-examination of the past and a willingness to learn from its ordering principles. It is a powerful reminder that true freedom, dignity, and wholeness can be found not in the shifting sands of public opinion, but in the firm foundation of God-led monarchy. Smith’s work is essential reading for anyone who has suspected that today’s political status quo, far from liberating us, has instead shackled our souls.
Smith dares to take on the sacred cow of our age: the idea that democracy, with its frenzied elections and faithless politicking, leads to freedom. Instead, he exposes how it fosters an insidious form of enslavement, subjecting the individual to the chaotic whims of mass opinion and endless ideological wrangling. In democracy’s leveling zeal, we lose the right to contract individually with those who would lead us, whether it be a lord, king, or city berger.
The author painstakingly illustrates how, in contrast to our contemporary servitude to temporal passions, the medieval feudal system—though frequently misunderstood—actually nurtured a deeply personal sort of freedom. Within the time-honored hierarchy under a king, each man, woman, and family enjoyed a known place in the social order and had amazing freedom to choose the laws and lords they would live under on an individual basis. Their security, dignity, and duties flowed from a sanctified arrangement in which ultimate power and responsibility rested not with a fickle populace.
"Missing Monarchy" stands as a resounding call for a re-examination of the past and a willingness to learn from its ordering principles. It is a powerful reminder that true freedom, dignity, and wholeness can be found not in the shifting sands of public opinion, but in the firm foundation of God-led monarchy. Smith’s work is essential reading for anyone who has suspected that today’s political status quo, far from liberating us, has instead shackled our souls.
July 24, 2025
Have You Ever Missed Monarchy? You Should!
Jeb Smith’s Missing Monarchy is a bold and refreshingly unorthodox reexamination of how we view monarchy, democracy, and liberty. In this meticulously researched and daring work, Smith dismantles the widely held myths surrounding modern democracy and presents a provocative case for the overlooked strengths of medieval monarchies.
Far from the caricatures of tyranny and absolutism, Smith shows how historical monarchies often fostered decentralized power, legal continuity, and strong local autonomy—features that modern democracies frequently lack. With clarity and scholarly depth, he challenges the assumption that democracy is inherently freer or more just, suggesting instead that the Middle Ages may have offered a more stable and liberty-respecting political order.
What makes Missing Monarchy stand out is not just its thesis, but the precision—and, dare one say, passion—with which it’s argued. Best of all, Smith’s critique of our modern system is always grounded in deep historical insight and supported by an abundance of evidence. Even if one remains committed to the ideals of 1789, Smith's arguments will deepen one's understanding of political history—and invite reflection on the strengths and assumptions of the system the modern West holds dear.
Missing Monarchy is a brilliant and genuinely eye-opening read. Not a monarchist yet? Read Smith’s book. He just might change your mind.
Jeb Smith’s Missing Monarchy is a bold and refreshingly unorthodox reexamination of how we view monarchy, democracy, and liberty. In this meticulously researched and daring work, Smith dismantles the widely held myths surrounding modern democracy and presents a provocative case for the overlooked strengths of medieval monarchies.
Far from the caricatures of tyranny and absolutism, Smith shows how historical monarchies often fostered decentralized power, legal continuity, and strong local autonomy—features that modern democracies frequently lack. With clarity and scholarly depth, he challenges the assumption that democracy is inherently freer or more just, suggesting instead that the Middle Ages may have offered a more stable and liberty-respecting political order.
What makes Missing Monarchy stand out is not just its thesis, but the precision—and, dare one say, passion—with which it’s argued. Best of all, Smith’s critique of our modern system is always grounded in deep historical insight and supported by an abundance of evidence. Even if one remains committed to the ideals of 1789, Smith's arguments will deepen one's understanding of political history—and invite reflection on the strengths and assumptions of the system the modern West holds dear.
Missing Monarchy is a brilliant and genuinely eye-opening read. Not a monarchist yet? Read Smith’s book. He just might change your mind.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews