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The Conservative's Handbook: Defining the Right Positions on Issues from A to Z
This book may inform you, humor you, or enrage you. The Conservative's Handbook provides a conservative viewpoint on a wide range of guns, global warming, drugs, partial birth abortion, education, political correctness, entrepreneurs, and the wisdom of Ronald Reagan. If, as some have said, conservatives are ruled by facts and liberals by emotions, one would be hard-pressed to find a better illustration of the aphorism than popular radio talk-show host Phil Valentine's The Conservative's Defining the Right Position on Issues from A to Z.
The Conservative's Handbook provides a conservative viewpoint on a wide range of issues and The knowledge Valentine imparts is more than just information - it's ammunition for conservatives when they are caught up in discussions with friends and arguments with those on the Left.
Many arguments between liberals and conservatives degenerate into name-calling and unsubstantiated claims. The Conservative's Handbook distills those raw emotions and extraneous thoughts into a cohesive argument for conservative principles and values, covering the full array of today's fiscal and social issues in a manner that is comprehensive without being overwhelming.
The Conservative's Handbook provides a conservative viewpoint on a wide range of issues and The knowledge Valentine imparts is more than just information - it's ammunition for conservatives when they are caught up in discussions with friends and arguments with those on the Left.
Many arguments between liberals and conservatives degenerate into name-calling and unsubstantiated claims. The Conservative's Handbook distills those raw emotions and extraneous thoughts into a cohesive argument for conservative principles and values, covering the full array of today's fiscal and social issues in a manner that is comprehensive without being overwhelming.
- GenresPoliticsNonfiction
480 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2008
48 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Phil Valentine
8 books46 followersPhil Valentine is the #1 bestselling author of The First Face of Janus.
He's also a syndicated talk show host with Westwood One. He's the recipient of 20 AIR Awards in Nashville and Philadelphia and the winner of the prestigious Gold Worldmedal from the New York Festivals.
His screenwriting has won the California Film Awards, the Nevada Film Festival, the Colorado Film Festival, and was a finalist in 10 other festivals, including the American Movie Awards and the Beverly Hills Film Festival. He's also an award-winning movie producer.
He's also a syndicated talk show host with Westwood One. He's the recipient of 20 AIR Awards in Nashville and Philadelphia and the winner of the prestigious Gold Worldmedal from the New York Festivals.
His screenwriting has won the California Film Awards, the Nevada Film Festival, the Colorado Film Festival, and was a finalist in 10 other festivals, including the American Movie Awards and the Beverly Hills Film Festival. He's also an award-winning movie producer.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 17, 2012
Wish all my liberal friends would read this & then try to argue why they still vote for the liberals.
August 5, 2013
Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Full of information about....well EVERYTHING!! I'm a teen and I still liked it (not that that says much because I act like I'm 30 but whatever). Not boring like most people would think.
September 14, 2019
This book is extremely subjective and often lacks much depth beyond buzzword claims akin to 'liberty is good so let's have more of it.' Such arguments assume the reader understands the author's idea of all that such a term could/does imply. With that in mind, it seems like this was clearly a book written to confirm one's beliefs and not necessarily to challenge another's beliefs. I would've greatly appreciated more nuance and quantitative approaches; clearly that kind of audience was not in mind when the book was written. It is what it is.
Overall it just seems like a lot of conflicting principles based on one man's perspective- and there are > 7 billion other human perspectives all basing opinions on their limited viewpoints of their environment as well.
An example of conflicting principles from page 184:
"If I don't drive any other point home in this book, please understand that our failure to secure our borders is the single most serious threat to our freedom. Running a close second is the cavalier way in which we willingly choose to forfeit our freedom for security."
Isn't only taking measures to secure a border a cavalier approach that could easily lead to forfeiture of freedom for security? This kind of claim would very likely be retracted/altered if pressed for more information but, in your own book, why not make an effort to be accurate and thorough? The author being a professional talking head, I have theories about why he chose not to do that...
That's just one example, but much of the book seems like a collection of extremely biased half-logic. Eye opening read, but odd. I'd be just as disappointed with a "Liberal Handbook." All told, if I knew half as much as this guy thinks he knows...
Overall it just seems like a lot of conflicting principles based on one man's perspective- and there are > 7 billion other human perspectives all basing opinions on their limited viewpoints of their environment as well.
An example of conflicting principles from page 184:
"If I don't drive any other point home in this book, please understand that our failure to secure our borders is the single most serious threat to our freedom. Running a close second is the cavalier way in which we willingly choose to forfeit our freedom for security."
Isn't only taking measures to secure a border a cavalier approach that could easily lead to forfeiture of freedom for security? This kind of claim would very likely be retracted/altered if pressed for more information but, in your own book, why not make an effort to be accurate and thorough? The author being a professional talking head, I have theories about why he chose not to do that...
That's just one example, but much of the book seems like a collection of extremely biased half-logic. Eye opening read, but odd. I'd be just as disappointed with a "Liberal Handbook." All told, if I knew half as much as this guy thinks he knows...
September 24, 2008
I received this book as a First Reads giveaway book. I thought it would be interesting to see what all it said, and I expected it to bore me to death!
I was quite pleasantly surprised that it was interesting to see what it said, AND it was actually an enjoyable read. Valentine has a conversational writing style that I found to be very engaging. And, he shows facts to back up each point. Yes, I'm conservative, and I always have been. But I think now I'm even more so, as there were issues I wasn't as informed about that this helped me understand better.
That said, I'd love for someone on the liberal side of the spectrum to write a book like this with their takes on everything so I can fully understand their point of view. I doubt it'd make me turn liberal, but I'd like to better understand where they're coming from.
Anyway, I thought this was a wonderful book. Well-written, and very informative. I was amazed to find myself enjoying the book and reading more because I was curious about what his points were on the next issue in the book.
I was quite pleasantly surprised that it was interesting to see what it said, AND it was actually an enjoyable read. Valentine has a conversational writing style that I found to be very engaging. And, he shows facts to back up each point. Yes, I'm conservative, and I always have been. But I think now I'm even more so, as there were issues I wasn't as informed about that this helped me understand better.
That said, I'd love for someone on the liberal side of the spectrum to write a book like this with their takes on everything so I can fully understand their point of view. I doubt it'd make me turn liberal, but I'd like to better understand where they're coming from.
Anyway, I thought this was a wonderful book. Well-written, and very informative. I was amazed to find myself enjoying the book and reading more because I was curious about what his points were on the next issue in the book.
July 16, 2017
This book is enjoyable to read, and is certainly a good reference to understand the typical conservative rationale for a wealth of topics, but it cannot be rated highly due to the construction of many of the supporting arguments. I would say that roughly 50% of the topics addressed are oversimplified to a degree that it renders the following logic futile. Many of those also use sources that are far from respectable, and yet he accepts the information as undisputed fact. The presentation of leftist motivations is very poorly done as is to be expected.
Nevertheless, there are still plenty of good arguments in this book to support various conservative views. It was refreshing to read those that were well done since most conservative TV commentators and pundits are notoriously bad at effectively presenting their positions.
However, the undoing that plagues most of the conservative perspectives contained in this book, and those that we're all commonly familiar with, is that there's an underlying fear that acknowledging a fault with a principle or system of which there is shared responsibility will lead to a complete breakdown and is unacceptable. Having this obstacle forces boxed in thinking which inevitably leads to inaccurate perspectives. A poetic example of this is when discussing Jefferson's "vigilance is the price of freedom" quote, Valentine added "vigilance denotes an outward attention, hands shading eyes affixed to the open sea." I disagree. If vigilance is keeping a careful watch, then shading your eyes is the last thing you should be doing.
An interesting quote from the book that I enjoyed thinking about was "We must not let our intellect rule our principles, we must let our principles rule our intellect."
Nevertheless, there are still plenty of good arguments in this book to support various conservative views. It was refreshing to read those that were well done since most conservative TV commentators and pundits are notoriously bad at effectively presenting their positions.
However, the undoing that plagues most of the conservative perspectives contained in this book, and those that we're all commonly familiar with, is that there's an underlying fear that acknowledging a fault with a principle or system of which there is shared responsibility will lead to a complete breakdown and is unacceptable. Having this obstacle forces boxed in thinking which inevitably leads to inaccurate perspectives. A poetic example of this is when discussing Jefferson's "vigilance is the price of freedom" quote, Valentine added "vigilance denotes an outward attention, hands shading eyes affixed to the open sea." I disagree. If vigilance is keeping a careful watch, then shading your eyes is the last thing you should be doing.
An interesting quote from the book that I enjoyed thinking about was "We must not let our intellect rule our principles, we must let our principles rule our intellect."
October 16, 2020
It’s always a great pleasure to read a book that rationally lays out good, sensible conservative ideas and values! Nicely arranged so you can go directly to a topic if you need some facts regarding a particular discussion you may be having with someone! Liked it a lot and learned some additional facts on some of what was presented! Great read if you are a conservative and a good read if you are a liberal and want to hear arguments from the other side!
December 5, 2021
So good. The book is from 2008 but it is almost as if the author had a crystal ball bc a lot of the stuff he brings up we are still taking about today and some is a serious issue with our country (illegal immigration for example) and he has the sources and facts to back everything up.
All Americans should read this book.
All Americans should read this book.
Read
June 24, 2019It is a great way to understand the conservative point of view about many critical aspects of today´s political debate. it presentes nice and valuable arguments to understand how conservative people understands the world.
March 9, 2018
No thanks, read ironically, regret everything.
January 28, 2019
Lots of stats supporting his position.
August 26, 2014
Radio host Phil Valentine does an excellent job at illustrating his conservative vision, breaking it down issue by issue, using a colloquial style and vivid (and often funny) anecdotes. He also highlights the core principles that underpin conservatism, if in an unsystematic and almost haphazard way: he goes about in no particular order in tackling the usual suspects: religion, character, drugs, entrepreneurs, families, guns.... He defends his positions quite well, by providing considerable data to back them. For example, he cites the statistic that guns are used on average 2 million times a year, five times more often for protection than for committing crimes, and 128 times the total number of murders. That runs counter to the common perception that guns are used mainly to break the law, and that when they are used they result in murder. Another interesting statistic is that the famous 1% of US taxpayers pays almost 40% of taxes, whereas the bottom 50% pays only 3%. In other words, by and large rich people fund the bulk of public spending! Facts such as these debunk many myths about conservative positions being utterly irrational and based solely on ideology to serve the interests of the well-off. Valentine reminds us that politics is not only about core tenets, but also about coldly assessing the facts: many liberal positions run counter to those facts, but are commonly accepted because they are more palatable or sound more endearing.
However, politics is also about one's belief system, and I think Valentine is being a bit Manichaen in presenting some of his beliefs - I would use the term "political credo" - as totally rational and unbiased. His putting freedom and personal responsibility at the very top of his value system - above solidarity, social equality, compassion, protection of the most vulnerable - is quite debatable, as are virtually all moral/ethical issues. I'm not saying I don't agree with many of his positions, but that I would've presented them for what they are: a very specific political philosophy, not revealed truths. A more honest and balanced assessment of the liberal arguments would not have hurted: sometimes I found myself feeling sorry for the undefended liberal in the book, who receives so many bashings without the right of reply! But, at the end of the day, Valentine intended to write a "handbook", and handbooks are meant to give instructions, not to explain and justify the reasons that underpin them...
Having said that, some parts were memorable for me. I totally agree with the chapter: "you and you alone are ultimately responsabile for your own destiny", which lies at the heart of the conservative mindset. Life is about using your freedom responsibly and creatively, not about waiting for someone - be it your family or the government - to give you your supposed "entitlements" or to bail you out of your bad decisions. Instead of envying successful people and asking the State to tax them harder we should be inspired by them and find our own version of success. We should also not apologize for or shy away from who we are, both individually and collectively. Our identity is important, and affirming it does not imply any less respect for other people and cultures, unless they trample on the fundamental principles we believe in. Moral relativism in nonsense, it leads to nihilism, not to cosmopolitanism. Not all beliefs were created equal, and we should be always be ready to defend our ideals of individual liberty, free market, rule of law and human rights. Valentine's positions on abortion, guns, the traditional family, China, drugs, welfare benefits are debatable, and I can't say I agree with all of them (ban trade with China? really?), but I do see eye to eye with him on the fundamental principle that government should be limited, and that individuals and civil society should take care of many things that are currently (mis)managed by the central bureaucracy. The State should empower individuals, not create states of perpetual dependency. Citizens should be viewed and should view themselves not as victims, but as proactive, able-bodied individuals who have the resources not only to survive, but also to thrive by themselves in a free-market environment. If you take away this fear, which is also a fundamentally exhilarating drive, you cut all motivation short and turn citizens into passive, disenfranchised beings.
However, politics is also about one's belief system, and I think Valentine is being a bit Manichaen in presenting some of his beliefs - I would use the term "political credo" - as totally rational and unbiased. His putting freedom and personal responsibility at the very top of his value system - above solidarity, social equality, compassion, protection of the most vulnerable - is quite debatable, as are virtually all moral/ethical issues. I'm not saying I don't agree with many of his positions, but that I would've presented them for what they are: a very specific political philosophy, not revealed truths. A more honest and balanced assessment of the liberal arguments would not have hurted: sometimes I found myself feeling sorry for the undefended liberal in the book, who receives so many bashings without the right of reply! But, at the end of the day, Valentine intended to write a "handbook", and handbooks are meant to give instructions, not to explain and justify the reasons that underpin them...
Having said that, some parts were memorable for me. I totally agree with the chapter: "you and you alone are ultimately responsabile for your own destiny", which lies at the heart of the conservative mindset. Life is about using your freedom responsibly and creatively, not about waiting for someone - be it your family or the government - to give you your supposed "entitlements" or to bail you out of your bad decisions. Instead of envying successful people and asking the State to tax them harder we should be inspired by them and find our own version of success. We should also not apologize for or shy away from who we are, both individually and collectively. Our identity is important, and affirming it does not imply any less respect for other people and cultures, unless they trample on the fundamental principles we believe in. Moral relativism in nonsense, it leads to nihilism, not to cosmopolitanism. Not all beliefs were created equal, and we should be always be ready to defend our ideals of individual liberty, free market, rule of law and human rights. Valentine's positions on abortion, guns, the traditional family, China, drugs, welfare benefits are debatable, and I can't say I agree with all of them (ban trade with China? really?), but I do see eye to eye with him on the fundamental principle that government should be limited, and that individuals and civil society should take care of many things that are currently (mis)managed by the central bureaucracy. The State should empower individuals, not create states of perpetual dependency. Citizens should be viewed and should view themselves not as victims, but as proactive, able-bodied individuals who have the resources not only to survive, but also to thrive by themselves in a free-market environment. If you take away this fear, which is also a fundamentally exhilarating drive, you cut all motivation short and turn citizens into passive, disenfranchised beings.
June 29, 2020
I debated between giving this book 2 or 3 stars. I settled on 3. But I think there was a plethora of misinformation and a failed objective of the book.
I went into this book excited based on the foreword and introduction suggesting this book was purely based on facts supporting conservative rhetoric. This didn't hit the target. Much of it was opinionated and made conclusion that were not supported by the facts provided. As someone who has published scientific papers I immediately notice broadly overreaching claims. He strings together bad statistics and then continues further into his point when hes already slipped up. If one were too look into the articles and papers he references they would see that the conclusion in these chapters don't always align with what the says. There is way too much generalization here.
Valentine mentions this is great book to read and reference before having a debate with a liberal. I can tell you a knowledgeable liberal can poke holes in this pretty quickly so I'd look elsewhere for that. You will pull some good information here but its more of a book for liberals to ready and recognize the invalidity of many of these conservative perspectives.
I went into this book thinking I was pretty independent. I usually describe myself as a social democrat and fiscal conservative. I think this book pushed me farther to the left. If this truly is the conservative/republican ideology I hope they consider some shifts in their belief system or I don't see them being relevant much longer. This book was written in 2008 so perhaps some of his views have shifted and he sees where his arguments in this book are wrong.
Despite Donald Trump winning the presidency, the ideology of this book is not the platform he ran on winning him the election. The supporters of this book nowadays would probably be a pretty fringe group of conservatives and I believe (possibly wishfully) the republican party has taken a more populist stance on politics.
I went into this book excited based on the foreword and introduction suggesting this book was purely based on facts supporting conservative rhetoric. This didn't hit the target. Much of it was opinionated and made conclusion that were not supported by the facts provided. As someone who has published scientific papers I immediately notice broadly overreaching claims. He strings together bad statistics and then continues further into his point when hes already slipped up. If one were too look into the articles and papers he references they would see that the conclusion in these chapters don't always align with what the says. There is way too much generalization here.
Valentine mentions this is great book to read and reference before having a debate with a liberal. I can tell you a knowledgeable liberal can poke holes in this pretty quickly so I'd look elsewhere for that. You will pull some good information here but its more of a book for liberals to ready and recognize the invalidity of many of these conservative perspectives.
I went into this book thinking I was pretty independent. I usually describe myself as a social democrat and fiscal conservative. I think this book pushed me farther to the left. If this truly is the conservative/republican ideology I hope they consider some shifts in their belief system or I don't see them being relevant much longer. This book was written in 2008 so perhaps some of his views have shifted and he sees where his arguments in this book are wrong.
Despite Donald Trump winning the presidency, the ideology of this book is not the platform he ran on winning him the election. The supporters of this book nowadays would probably be a pretty fringe group of conservatives and I believe (possibly wishfully) the republican party has taken a more populist stance on politics.
April 3, 2015
Covers lots of topics and gets to some of the most basic arguments for the Conservative's standpoint as the author sees it.
He makes a lot of interesting points, but the logic doesn't always connect.
The writing is ok, but the subtitle: "Facts, not Emotions" didn't really carry through very well. I don't think the book would have been as interesting had we not had some of the author's quirky attitudes toward the issues.
The book oversimplifies the issues (sometimes to its detriment, sometimes in its favor), but I think that's necessary for a book that claims to be a handbook and does discuss as many topics as this book discusses.
There's a few chapters in the book that aren't really that useful. The chapter on "Good Character" is more of a Clinton bashing tirade and could have been summed up better. The chapter about "Liberalism is doomed to fail" is supposedly the best chapter of the book, but it kinda doesn't get to the failure point - it just says that liberals have flawed logic. How that means that liberalism is destined to fail is unclear. And, the author doesn't do a very good job reconciling his "Red China" dislikes with his approach to having free(ish) trade and more competitive markets.
Ultimately, a quick read that gives a decent view of several of the core aspects of conservatism.
He makes a lot of interesting points, but the logic doesn't always connect.
The writing is ok, but the subtitle: "Facts, not Emotions" didn't really carry through very well. I don't think the book would have been as interesting had we not had some of the author's quirky attitudes toward the issues.
The book oversimplifies the issues (sometimes to its detriment, sometimes in its favor), but I think that's necessary for a book that claims to be a handbook and does discuss as many topics as this book discusses.
There's a few chapters in the book that aren't really that useful. The chapter on "Good Character" is more of a Clinton bashing tirade and could have been summed up better. The chapter about "Liberalism is doomed to fail" is supposedly the best chapter of the book, but it kinda doesn't get to the failure point - it just says that liberals have flawed logic. How that means that liberalism is destined to fail is unclear. And, the author doesn't do a very good job reconciling his "Red China" dislikes with his approach to having free(ish) trade and more competitive markets.
Ultimately, a quick read that gives a decent view of several of the core aspects of conservatism.
September 11, 2016
I really think everyone should read this book. The arguments set forth for every topic were well though out and interesting. The conservative mindset of less is more can really work if we would only stop and actually think things through. This book is a great primer for that thought process.
August 11, 2009
So far I love this book. I'm not quite finished, though by the time I log back into this site it'll be more than done. I'm very far left on most political issues but I am well informed on all. I'm not going to lie when I say I bought this book as a joke for my very far right grandmother. I ended up reading it first and it is a great read with a fair ounce of humor. A great insight into the mind of the right. Though be warned, like many of the far right works of art, this can be very propaganda filled.
July 19, 2012
I tend to lean left in all my political viewpoints and decided to get some more insight on the foundation of the GOP. This book gave me an idea of what some of the right-wing politicians philosophy. It had its good points and questionable ones, but in the end if you enjoy seeing both sides of the coin, you'll enjoy this book.
p.s. the only reason i gave it 3 stars is because I will continue to vote democrat.
p.s. the only reason i gave it 3 stars is because I will continue to vote democrat.
September 30, 2008
This book was the BEST political book I've yet to read. It is very informative and pursuasive with footnotes for every statement. It has changed my view on many things and given me a new way of looking at things which I believe will benefit every person. I would reccomend this book to anyone who leans at least a little to the right.
March 31, 2014
I enjoyed this book when I read it years ago; unfortunately, looking back with a more-educated and impartial viewpoint, Valentine's text is full of poor writing, errors, and flat-out lies. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, not because I'm simply not a hard-line conservative, but because I think people should read books that aren't clearly demonstrably false.
July 7, 2011
Excellent book so far. I'm hooked.
February 20, 2009
I've been a Reagan fan since 8th grade. This book helped me define why.
June 11, 2010
Simple and brief enough.
August 29, 2010
Very informative book. These are my values and beliefs in print. Great book.
May 17, 2011
Well, I cannot consider myself a full blown Conservative. I do consider myself a Semi-Conservative, as I do not agree on every position of the Far Right. After all, I am a gay man.
June 24, 2012
Hard to put down once you get started!
September 16, 2012
A thought provoking, eye opener ! Very instructive.
May 7, 2023
The book contains great detail of what a Conservative's view point really is. A must read for any Conservative.
November 3, 2015
A must-have for the conservative thinker. Even a left-leaning thinker might discover some facts and make decisions around facts instead of emotions. I can't seem to get it back from my Dad!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews