What’s on Your Reading List?

What are the best books you’ve ever read on America, conservatism, and the United States Constitution? We’d love to hear your recommendations! We thought we’d take a minute to share some of our favorites with you too. Have you read any of the books listed below? If not, hopefully you’ll add these books to your must-read list and crack them open soon! These books are full of treasures.

1) Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville:

While visiting America in 1831, the Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville wrote down his brilliant observations, comparing and contrasting America with the European aristocratic systems. He presents sage advice on how to reap the benefits of democracy, while avoiding its pitfalls. He also gives a stellar game plan to prevent tyranny from arising in America. Buy Now from Amazon.

2) Roots of American Order by Russell Kirk: 

Buckle up for a ride through Jerusalem, Athens, Rome, and London, as Russell Kirk shows how those cities influenced the documents drafted in Philadelphia at America’s founding. The American Founders drew from the divine revelation, moral framework, and faith of biblical Jerusalem, and adopted some of the philosophy of ancient Athens. They leaned on ancient Rome’s system of political order and law as well as London’s common law tradition. If you want to know the history of Western Civilization that formed our nation, then this book is for you. Buy Now from Amazon.

3) Liberty, Order, and Justice by James McClellan:

This book is not for the faint of heart—you’ll need to brew a strong cup of coffee to get through this 629-page book! However, it’s worth the long journey through this book. We often talk about how unique and vital our Constitution is, but many of us don’t even know what is actually in it, the meanings behind the words, and how challenging it was to bring about such a remarkable and free system of Constitutional government. This book gives a deeper understanding of each article in the Constitution and makes the strong case for Federalism and separation of powers. It lays out the defining debates that took place at our country’s founding and the struggles for Constitutional liberty. Buy Now from Amazon.

4) The Conservative Mind by Russel Kirk:

American conservativism owes a great debt of gratitude to this book: it helped revitalize conservativism in the 1950s. If you are conservative yet have not read this book, it’s almost like being a Christian who hasn’t read the Bible! Russell Kirk clarifies in this book what it really means to be a conservative, and he traces conservative thought back to the 18^th century, when it started with Edmund Burke. From there, he outlines all the major players who have shaped conservative thought. If you’re a conservative, this book will reveal your “family tree” and heritage. Buy Now from Amazon.

Well, there you have it—four great books to get started on. Do you only have time to read a few chapters in each of these books? Then shoot us an email, and we’d be happy to recommend the most important chapters to read.

Happy reading!