CONSERVATIVE "MUST READ" BOOK LIST
- Many of these books may be ordered from your local bookstores, as well as from one of the web sites or book clubs listed below. We highly recommend that you browse the different web sites. There are many excellent books available that we do not list. Please send us your favorite books and we will add them to this list.
Conservative Philosophy:
- A Christian Manifesto
- Francis A. Schaeffer. This is a must read for conservative Christians. Schaeffer shows why law and government no longer provide a foundation of justice and morality but have become the means of licensing moral perversions of all kinds. Education has become the enemy of religious truth and values. And the media have provided the means for propagating the change. Schaeffer challenges Christians to change the course of history.
- Original Intent
: The Courts, The Constitution, and Religion - David Barton. Discover how the United States Supreme Court has reinterpreted the Constitution, diluting the Biblical foundations upon which it was based. Filled with hundreds of the Founders' quotes revealing their beliefs on the role of religion in public affairs, the proper roles of the courts, the intended limited scope of federal powers, States' rights, and numerous other current issues.
- Advice to the Young and Moral Catechism
- Noah Webster (a reprint of a 1783 and 1832 originals - WallBuilder Press). Webster understood that the ability of our new government to endure would depend upon the quality of our educational system. Consequently, he became a leading educator and for almost six decades authored textbooks designed to transmit to subsequent generations the principles embodied in the government he had helped create. These two powerful works are beneficial not only for America's current students, but for former students never exposed to these works in their school textbooks.
- The Women Behind the Declaration of Independence
- Excerpted from The Pioneer Mothers of America, originally published in 1912 (reprinted in 1997 - WallBuilder Press). This book describes those women who, alongside their husbands, experienced the trials and triumphs of the struggle for independence and the challenge of building a new nation. These women were at the heart of every soul-stirring historic event. This book is about the heart of America.
- God and Man at Yale
- William F. Buckley Jr. This book (1951) has been called, "one of the seminal books in modern American conservatism."
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- Stephen R. Covey. This is a powerful book for personal change. Covey presents a holistic, integrated, principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems. Covey reveals a step-by-step pathway for living with fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity.
- Ethics--An Early American Handbook
- Benjamin B. Comegys (a reprint of an 1890 original - David Barton). This work will inspire citizens of all ages to a greater elevation of their own character and therefore of the nation's character. George Washington said, "A good moral character is the first essential. It is highly important not only to be learned but to be virtuous."
- Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence
- Benson J. Lossing (a reprint of an 1848 original - David Barton). This book provides a brief biography of each signer of the Declaration. Through this book, long used in American schools, we, too, can discover the private and public virtues of those venerated Americans who helped create the most stable enviable nation in the world.
- Keys to Good Government
- David Barton. Learn the Founders' counsel on good government, and how to reclaim the quality of government we once enjoyed.
- The Foundations of American Government
- David Barton. Learn why the current doctrine of "separation of church and state" was never intended by the Founders.
- Spirit of the American Revolution
- David Barton. Discover the spirit that motivated the Founders to risk all to establish a new nation, and witness their faith in God.
Economics:
- Basic Economics
- Clarence Carson. This is a great book for an introduction to the framework of economics. It covers the impact of government, what is property, the production and distribution of goods (money, markets, competition, production, and the distribution of wealth), and politico-economic systems (feudalism, mercantilism, free enterprise, capitalism, welfarism, communism).
- God and Government
- Gary DeMar. This three volume series gives a Christian perspective to the founding and development of American government.
Environment:
History:
- The Christian History of the Constitution of the United States of America
- (known as one of "The Red Books") - a compilation by Verna M. Hall. This volume consists of the account of our country's Christian heritage, which has not been taught in our school system for over one hundred years. Reading this book is an eye-opener for every American.
- Teaching and Learning America's Christian History
- (known as one of "The Red Books") - developed by Rosalie J. Slater. This volume is the study of basic principles from the text, The Christian History of the Constitution of the United States of America - Verna M. Hall.
- Ideological Origins of the American Revolution
- Bernard Bailyn. This is not a "fun" read. It is not per se a conservative book, but it clearly affirms that the patriots would risked all to overthrow
British tyranny saw the world through a lens that today's modern conservatives share. Bailyn uses the word "liberal" in its classical, Lockean sense. It is generally considered one of the most important works in the field of early American history and New Left historians, despite their best efforts, have yet to knock it from its pedestal.
- The Story of Liberty
- Charles C. Coffin (a reprint of an 1879 original - Maranatha Publications). Most Americans are ignorant of the fact that the fruits of civil liberty, which they enjoy, have their origin in Christianity. This is a true narrative. It covers a period of five hundred years, and is an outline of the march of the human race from Slavery to Freedom.
Education:
- Education and the Founding Fathers
- David Barton. Examine our Founders' educational system and the schools and textbooks that made America great.
Issues:
- Issues 2000
- The Candidate's Briefing Book on CD-ROM - The Heritage Foundation. This is one of the best resources for knowledge about the major conservative political issues in our nation. The website for Heritage is listed below under websites/bookclubs.
- The Second Amendment
--Preserving the Inalienable Right of Individual Self-Protection
- David Barton. Barton has compiled the writings of our Founding Fathers regarding this controversial amendment. Read their words and examine their early laws and State constitutions on this subject. The conclusion is inescapable that the guarantees of the Second Amendment pertain to every citizen individually. Also, learn of the Founders' timeless proposals made two centuries ago on how to deal with the gun violence that today shatters communities and causes the loss of innocent life.
Fiction:
- The Bear and the Dragon
-Tom Clancy…. This book was paid the highest compliment
by some nutty critic who said reading it was like enduring a multi-day Rush Limbaugh monologue. Tom Clancy books are not only page-turners, they tend to uphold the institutions important to conservatives.
- Rainbow Six
- Tom Clancy…. This book was an excellent dissection of radical environmentalist, and what some (not all) would like to do to return to a pre-Man, pristine state of nature.
- All books by C.S. Lewis, both fiction and nonfiction, are fine expositions into ideas important to Christians and to conservatives.
- The Pilgrim's Progress
- John Bunyan. This Christian classic is known a "the greatest allegory ever written." The book depicts, in Part 1, the life of "Pilgrim," the central figure, as he makes his Christian journey--a journey similar to that experienced by others for over 2000 years. In Part 2, the story relates the journey of Pilgrim's wife "Christianna," her children, and friends.
Creation Science:
- After the Flood
--The early post-flood history of Europe traced back to Noah - Bill Cooper B.A. Hons. This book shows how European history can be traced right back to the flood and the descendants of Japheth, through contemporary accounts and a table of nations. Order through Institute for Creation Research (ICR) at
www.icr.org.
One Blood--The Biblical Answer to Racism - Ken Ham, Carl Wieland, and Don Batten. In this groundbreaking book, you will read, perhaps for the first time, about racism's evolutionary connections, and the powerful answer from Genesis. Order through Institute for Creation Research (ICR) at www.icr.org.
- The Creation Interpretation
- A Biblical View of Science and Natural History - Catie Frates. Finally, a book to help you understand how evolutionary scientists determine those ancient dates in this easy-reading, entertaining book. This book offers a simple chronology starting with the days of creation and the pre-flood world, traveling through the geologic and tectonic effects caused by the devastating Genesis flood and on into the events that precipitated the post-flood Ice Age. Order through Censored Science 813-786-4038.
- Censored Science Video Seminar
- Catie Frates. A layperson friendly, fast-paced video seminar offering fifth graders and up the much censored scientific evidence for the Biblical Creation Model of Origins. Comes with a study-guide outline. Order through Censored Science 813-786-4038.
- Men of Science Men of God
- Henry M. Morris. Unique collection of brief biographies and the Christian testimonies of great Bible-believing scientists of the past…many who were "founders" of modern science. Clearly shows that one can be a great scientist and a creationist Christian.
Web sites/Book Clubs:
www.conservativebookclub.com This site has a very interesting selection of conservative books. It is well worth a browse. They offer books for young adults and children as well.
www.heritage.org This site offers a wonderful selection of conservative books. If you're looking for political information, this is one of the best sites to visit.
www.townhall.com This site also is a wonderful source for conservative political information and great books to read.
www.wallbuilders.com David Barton is the founder of this ministry. This is one of the best sites for learning our Founding Fathers' true intent for the First Amendment and the place of religion in our nation's government and public affairs. WallBuilder's offer a wide selection of conservative books for adults, young adults, and children.
www.icr.org Institute for Creation Research. This site is a wonderful resource for learning about creation science. ICR has a wide selection of books for adults, young adults, and children.
www.discovercreation.org Alpha Omega Institute. This is an educational organization dedicated to teaching the Biblical and scientific evidences of creation throughout the world. They even sponsor family vacations all across our nation teaching creation science.
www.lifetimebooksandgifts.com This is a wonderful resource for conservative Christian books. It is favorite site for homeschool and private teachers.