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Episode 36 - Books Every Conservative Should Read

Saving Elephants | Millennials defending & expressing conservative values

Release Date: 07/16/2019

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Saving Elephants | Millennials defending & expressing conservative values

As Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis is wont to do, here is yet another episode exploring the political and philosophical brilliance of Edmund Burke.  But this time he is aided by scholar and professor Daniel Klein to examine the late writings of Burke’s life as Europe was descending into revolutionary chaos.  What was Burke’s understanding of liberty and natural rights, and how did it differ from many of his more radical contemporaries?  How did Burke distinguish between reforms that were constructive or destructive, and why did he seem so reluctant to use them in some...

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Saving Elephants | Millennials defending & expressing conservative values

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Saving Elephants | Millennials defending & expressing conservative values

“The biggest takeaway from the 2024 election,” , is that “independents have officially broken the duopoly and now share the title of America’s largest political group with Republicans.”  But what is an independent, exactly?  What do they want and how are they different from those who proudly affiliate with the Republican or Democratic parties?  And what might this portend for the future of American politics?   Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis is joined by pollster Brett Loyd to make sense of the rise of the independents in the electorate.   About Brett Loyd...

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Saving Elephants | Millennials defending & expressing conservative values

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Saving Elephants | Millennials defending & expressing conservative values

Saving Elephants meticulously avoids many cringeworthy tropes in today’s “conservative” media and opts instead for deeper conversations on the conservative worldview and what it can offer Millennials.  As such, there is much low-hanging-fruit among the fruitier parts of the Left that isn’t as vigorously explored as it is in the aforementioned “conservative” media.  But that doesn’t mean these topics are off limits—just that they’re to be approached with conviction and clarity.   Josh Lewis welcomes Kimberly Ross back to the podcast for a wide-ranging discussion...

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Saving Elephants | Millennials defending & expressing conservative values

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance square off for the first—and likely only—vice presidential debate that’s sure to leave pundits chattering, social media accounts fighting, and late economists spinning in their graves. The debate begins at 9PM ET. Join us immediately following the debate for another livestream roundtable to restore some inkling of sanity back to this election. Panelists include Scott Howard, Jeffery Tyler Syck, and John Giokaris.

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Saving Elephants | Millennials defending & expressing conservative values

In a world where both political parties are moving away from free market oriented policy solutions, a robust defense of our international allies, and traditional social norms, where does the conservative go from here? Saving Elephants host Josh Lewis is joined by special returning guests Cal Davenport, Erik Kohn, and Justin Stapley for a roundtable discussion on what the future holds for the conservative movement. This episode first dropped as a livestream on the new Saving Elephants YouTube channel., featuring full-length episodes, exclusive shorts, and even live events! Check it out here:

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Saving Elephants has got your summer reading list covered!  In this episode Josh walks through classic, foundational books that every conservative should read, as well as some great books that speak to Millennials in particular.  Ranging from pithy and digestible to massive, complex, and dry, Josh gives a brief outline of the book and shares why it’s important to understanding conservatism.

 

While summer is traditionally reserved for light reading, it can also be the perfect time of year to tear into something quite challenging.  Reading hard books—if they’re good books—can sharpen our minds and develop our character.  Even reading of people with strong character can develop our character.  As Russell Kirk put it, “Reading of great lives does something to make decent lives.”

 

Here is the list of the books and authors referenced throughout the episode

 

Edmund Burke, British statesman and the “Father of Conservatism”:

Reflections on the Revolution in France

 

Russell Kirk, political theorist, moralist, historian, social critic, and literary critic:

The Conservative Mind

Concise Guide to Conservatism

Ten Conservative Principles

 

Barry Goldwater, Senator and 1964 Republican nominee for president:

Conscience of a Conservative

 

Roger Scruton, English philosopher:

How to be a Conservative

 

Irving Kristol, journalist and the “Godfather of Neoconservatism”:

Neo-Conservatism

 

Patrick Deneen, political theorist:

Why Liberalism Failed

 

Thomas Sowell, economist and social theorist:

Black Rednecks and White Liberals

A Conflict of Visions

Basic Economics

 

Jonah Goldberg, columnist, author, commentator, podcaster:

Suicide of the West

 

Timothy Carney, journalist and editor:

Alienated America

 

Ben Sasse, Senator:

Them

 

Joseph Sternberg, journalist:

The Theft of a Decade

 

  1. S. Lewis, author, theologian, professor:

The Abolition of Man

 

And here are some other great books that I didn’t have time to get through in the podcast but are still worth a read:

 

The Essential Russell Kirk arranged by George Panichas

 

The Great Debate by Yuval Levin

 

The Price of Greatness by Jay Cost

 

Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

 

John Adams by David McCullough

 

The Selfie Vote by Kristen Soltis Anderson