Conservatism in America : making sense of the American right /

This is a survey of post-WW II American conservatism by an intellectual historian, Gottfried (Elizabethtown College), thoroughly disillusioned by what he sees as its movement to the center-left. Chapter 1 reflects his attachment to the Continental conservative tradition, and here he notes that the American variety is "intrinsically different." Next, he argues that, with the increasing influence of neoconservatives, many of whom are urbanites and former Leftists, this distinction became even greater. The following three chapters offer Gottfried's analysis of the neoconservatives' move to "the top of the heap" through their control of philanthropy, media, and government policy positions. He is especially harsh on their treatment of more traditional conservatives, who he charges have been "thrown from the bus," and his penultimate chapter suggests parallels between the approaches of communist ideologues and of neoconservatives. The author then examines possible objections to his analysis and concludes that American conservatism has essentially abandoned its traditional moorings, basically for political convenience. Despite disjointed injections of German politics, numerous barbs of nastiness, and a personalized perspective, the author has provided information on the internecine battles of American conservatism not easily located elsewhere. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers. R. Heineman Alfred University