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Being Conservative from A to Z: An Anthology and Guide for Busy Conservative-Minded People
This book, which could be described as an anthology of conservative analysis and insights on some key issues, is for readers who wish to acquaint themselves with conservative political thought and to get a critical and comparative perspective on what passes for political, social, economic, and cultural conservatism in their own time and place.
The book is intended for both European and American readers. It provides readings from European and American thinkers, which besides may help to call attention to some of the peculiarities of American conservatives, who, for instance, believe in Progress even more than liberals do. Last but not least, as the subtitle reads, this volume wants to be a teaching tool and a guide “for busy conservative-minded people,” even though I must confess that I don’t know what “busy people”—whether conservative-minded or not—exactly means…
The book is intended for both European and American readers. It provides readings from European and American thinkers, which besides may help to call attention to some of the peculiarities of American conservatives, who, for instance, believe in Progress even more than liberals do. Last but not least, as the subtitle reads, this volume wants to be a teaching tool and a guide “for busy conservative-minded people,” even though I must confess that I don’t know what “busy people”—whether conservative-minded or not—exactly means…
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 18, 2014
8 people want to read
About the author
S.R. Piccoli
4 books20 followersSamuel Robert Piccoli was born on the Island of La Maddalena, off the northeast coast of Sardinia, to an American mother, from Philadelphia, and an Italian father, from Treviso. When he was very young his family moved to Rome. He studied political science at the University of Rome. He then moved to Venice. S.R., best known in the social media world as “Rob,” attended the Ca’ Foscari University, where he graduated in philosophy. He also studied English at San Francisco State University. A blogger, a History teacher (until a few years ago), a writer, Rob is based in the Venice area and lives with his wife, his daughter, and their dog. In 2012 he published Breviario del giovane politico (in Italian) and Blessed Are the Contrarians. In 2014 he published his third book, Being Conservative from A to Z. In February 2021 he published his fourth book, Blessed Are the Free in Spirit.
He is currently a contributor at American Thinker and a columnist Atlantico Quotidiano.
He is currently a contributor at American Thinker and a columnist Atlantico Quotidiano.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 18, 2015
Quick read and a great book for those who want to deepen their understanding and origins of Conservative thought. Piccoli has captured the core and it makes me stagger at the thought of Piccoli's library and reading the volumes of literature required to pick out and isolate potent and meaningful segments of Burke, Kirk, Kristol ...to name just a few.
I highlighted many eye-opening passages in this powerful little book. If I'd had a hard copy and used a pen, I might have ran out of ink. I will definitely return to this book.
Being an author, I spend time on various social networks. I inevitably cross paths with Liberals because they - unfortunately - dominate the landscape of literature in these contemporary times. They often say I am "ideological" and I've never been content with my own answer to that. If I remember anything about this book it will be Piccoli's insightful words, "Conservatism is not an ideology, it's a disposition." That made me realize, better than ever, that Conservatives recognize reality and deal with it whereas Liberals want to impose grand schemes and/or systems to deny reality and march to Utopia.
I highlighted many eye-opening passages in this powerful little book. If I'd had a hard copy and used a pen, I might have ran out of ink. I will definitely return to this book.
Being an author, I spend time on various social networks. I inevitably cross paths with Liberals because they - unfortunately - dominate the landscape of literature in these contemporary times. They often say I am "ideological" and I've never been content with my own answer to that. If I remember anything about this book it will be Piccoli's insightful words, "Conservatism is not an ideology, it's a disposition." That made me realize, better than ever, that Conservatives recognize reality and deal with it whereas Liberals want to impose grand schemes and/or systems to deny reality and march to Utopia.
October 11, 2015
Being Conservative from A to Z, by S.R. Piccoli, is a brief investigation of conservative thought from the last two centuries to the present. It answers questions like, “What does it mean to be a Conservative?” and “What does a conservative feel and think about this or that issue/topic/event?” Piccoli shares this about his book:
“This book, which could be described as an anthology of conservative analysis and insights on some key issues, is for readers who wish to acquaint themselves with conservative political thought and to get a critical and comparative perspective on what passes for political, social, economic, and cultural conservatism in their own time and place.”
Piccoli considers conservative thought on topics like family values, guns, education, religion, welfare, justice, and the law. Each topic is addressed briefly by viewing the thoughts of well-known conservatives throughout the centuries. Piccoli quotes often from authorities like Theodore Roosevelt, Barry Goldwater, Edmund Burke (the Father of Modern Conservativism), and Russel Kirk (a well-known American political theorist).
Since gun control is a hot topic in the U.S. right now, I particularly enjoyed studying historical and current thought on the subject. Cesare Beccaria, an 18th-century Italian philosopher, said this in advocacy of gun ownership, “if guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.” These are the kinds of historical snippets you will get throughout the book.
In the book, Piccoli isn’t trying to persuade others to be conservative. He presents historical, conservative thought in a neutral, concise, and academic fashion. If you are interested in learning more about conservative views, look no further than Being Conservative from A to Z.
“This book, which could be described as an anthology of conservative analysis and insights on some key issues, is for readers who wish to acquaint themselves with conservative political thought and to get a critical and comparative perspective on what passes for political, social, economic, and cultural conservatism in their own time and place.”
Piccoli considers conservative thought on topics like family values, guns, education, religion, welfare, justice, and the law. Each topic is addressed briefly by viewing the thoughts of well-known conservatives throughout the centuries. Piccoli quotes often from authorities like Theodore Roosevelt, Barry Goldwater, Edmund Burke (the Father of Modern Conservativism), and Russel Kirk (a well-known American political theorist).
Since gun control is a hot topic in the U.S. right now, I particularly enjoyed studying historical and current thought on the subject. Cesare Beccaria, an 18th-century Italian philosopher, said this in advocacy of gun ownership, “if guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.” These are the kinds of historical snippets you will get throughout the book.
In the book, Piccoli isn’t trying to persuade others to be conservative. He presents historical, conservative thought in a neutral, concise, and academic fashion. If you are interested in learning more about conservative views, look no further than Being Conservative from A to Z.
October 24, 2015
What an enjoyable, concise and intelligently written study of conservative thought! Being Conservative from A to Z, by S R Piccoli should act as a primer for those new to conservatism or for those looking to understand what it means to be a conservative.
Along with his own keen insight, Piccoli borrows from such writers as Edmund Burke, Ronald Reagan, Russel Kirk and others in such a choice manner as to create the desire to delve further into the concepts presented.
Every topic from A to Z is dissected with cool deliberation and unassailable facts(All except Q that is. I think we can all agree Q is the weak point here since so few good words begin with Q. The book should have been called: Being Conservative from A to Z except for Q because Q always sucks. But that’s just my opinion.)
My favorite topics that he explored: The manacles of PC thought, the integral part virtue plays in our government, the slavery of welfare, and, just because it was fun, the different types of conservatives found in America. (I especially liked the explanation of the fabled Crunchy Con, a creature as rare Big Foot sightings these days)
All in all a fast-paced, enjoyable book that should be in every school library.
Along with his own keen insight, Piccoli borrows from such writers as Edmund Burke, Ronald Reagan, Russel Kirk and others in such a choice manner as to create the desire to delve further into the concepts presented.
Every topic from A to Z is dissected with cool deliberation and unassailable facts(All except Q that is. I think we can all agree Q is the weak point here since so few good words begin with Q. The book should have been called: Being Conservative from A to Z except for Q because Q always sucks. But that’s just my opinion.)
My favorite topics that he explored: The manacles of PC thought, the integral part virtue plays in our government, the slavery of welfare, and, just because it was fun, the different types of conservatives found in America. (I especially liked the explanation of the fabled Crunchy Con, a creature as rare Big Foot sightings these days)
All in all a fast-paced, enjoyable book that should be in every school library.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews