Conservatism in America: The Thankless Persuasion

by Clinton L. Rossiter, Geoge F. Will (Foreword)

An examination of conservatism traces its traditions and discusses the periods of history during which it has evolved

Genres: Politics, History, American History

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Clinton Lawrence Rossiter III was an award-winning American historian and political scientist who taught at Cornell University from 1947 until his death in 1970.

Reviews

[Ted Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foundational work back when conservatives meant something.

[David Mayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in 1955, this book was an assigned university text I read in 1968, when Nixonism was emerging, William Buckley was still alive, Vietnam and the counter-culture were exploding. To this day, I still refer to the book, its main themes, and concepts. The book captures "capital C" Conservatism: principled, intellectual, and. philosophical, and in my view true conservatism. The neo-fascist, destructionist, Qanon, ultra-religious conservatism today represents the tragic downfall of moral conservatism.

It still remains relevant as we again encounter the Trumpist extreme right and plutocracy.

[Alan · Rating 2 out of 5]

More useful as a period piece than any history or analysis of the topic.