Conservative Book List --- What's Howard Reading?

     After watching Part I and in anticipation of Part II, I've decided to read Atlas Shrugged.

     This Ayn Rand classic still holds up after 50 years.

Conservative Book List --- What's Howard Galt Reading?

Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West, by Hampton Sides is an excellent book for anyone who wants to know more about the Old West. Centered around military action in New Mexico and California, Sides also discusses the importance of Kit Carson and various Indian Nations in the shaping of America's history. Special attention is given to the Navajo Nation, whose defense of their sacred land is one of the great stories of American history.

Conservative Book List --- What's Howard Reading?

This week.  I just finished this book by Larry Schweikert:

I also am getting some laughs from this book by David Brenner:

Conservative Book List --- What's Howard Reading?

When government has nothing to sell, bribery is useless.

--Dr. Ron Paul from End The Fed

I believe that this book is an instant classic.

This book is just plain classic.

Conservative Book List --- What's Howard Reading?

What Howard's Reading This Week

     Rich Dad's Real Estate Advantages 

is a decent book that gives me some ideas of how to save taxes.  I just have to remember to check with my local CPA first.

Matt Jensen - Savage Territory 

is a good book from William Johnstone's "Last Mountain Man" Series. The link above is for the Kindle version.  

Conservative Book List --- What's Howard Reading?

  I'm usually reading two books at once.  Or, more accurately, I usually read one book at home and have a recorded book in my vehicle.  I thought some Conscious Conservatives might be interested in books that will either broaden their education, be entertaining or both.  Here's what I'm reading.

Righteous Warrior:  Jesse Helms and the Rise of Modern Conservatism

by William A. Link 

The Real Book of Real Estate:  Real Experts.  Real Stories.  Real Life.

by Robert Kiyosaki

 Feel free to add your own reading suggestions in the comments section.

Conscious Conservative Book Review--American Theocracy

     In the book American Theocracy: The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century, Kevin Phillips puts forward the proposition that the United States is headed for a perfect storm that may end the country as it currently exists.  He believes that the current peril is created by energy (especially oil) interests, undue influence of end times theologians and runaway personal and public debt.  He compares the United States to other empires (including the British, Dutch and Hapsburg empires) which he states failed for similar reasons.   
     American Theocracy gives a detailed description of the history of oil production.  It does a decent job of showing how energy supremacy relates to world supremacy by comparing Dutch wind technology to British coal technology to American oil technology.  The book also discusses how oil interests affect both military and economic policy in the United States and Britain.
     As the title American Theocracy suggests, a major part of the book concerns a turn towards dogmatic religious beliefs at the end of many empires.  Although the book provides plenty of data, it does not make a strong enough argument to show a causative effect.  It may be that people reach for their religion of choice when they sense a decline in lifestyle.  It may also be that when a country can no longer show superiority by economic or military might, politicians still try to assert that their government is superior because, "God said so."  One important point the book makes is how the peculiar breed of "end times theology" popular in the United States and Britain affects both  environmental policy and foreign policy decisions about the middle east.
     Mr. Phillips appears especially concerned about the Bush dynasty.  I like his references to "Bush the Elder" and "Bush the Younger."  I have the advantage of reading this book several years after it was published and of seeing how some of the books predictions have played out and how the world looks since Bush the Younger has left office.  America's credit problems actually turned out worse than predicted by Phillips.  As I write this, the credit crunch that American Theocracy warns about has happened and we are in the middle (hopefully) of a "lost decade" of economic stagnation.  However, there is still ever increasing public debt and the "lost decade" threatens to continue to 15 years or longer.  Bush the Younger has been replaced by Barack Obama.  President Obama has continued the economic and military policies of Bush despite Candidate Obama's campaign pledges.  Mr. Phillips may be correct that there are interests more powerful than the Presidency at work.
    American Theocracy is not light reading.  It is full of complex arguments and loaded with statistics to back those arguments.  It compares current conditions in the United States to those at the end of other empires.  I believe it is required reading for those who wish to go beyond the simple "Democrats vs. Republicans," or "Big Oil Bad," sound bite arguments and truly want to learn some of the subtle yet powerful forces and belief systems that guide policy decisions in the United States.