Top Books of 2023: The Federalist Edition
Get ready for the annual Federalist notable-books-of-the-year column! We’re taking stock of the books we read in 2023 and sharing our recommendations. This isn’t just a list of books that came out this year, but rather the ones that our writers found worthy of recommending.
Madeline Osburn
Let me tell you about my eccentric college professor, Dr. Weathers. One day, he brought a grocery store birthday cake to class with the words, “Make it witchy,” piped in red icing. It was a New Journalism class, and we were reading Joan Didion’s essay, “The White Album.” Little did I know, that was just the tip of the iceberg. After reading Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O’Neill, I realized there was so much more to the Charles Manson murders.
Chaos is a mind-blowing story that challenges everything we thought we knew about Charles Manson and the Tate murders. Tom O’Neill takes us on a journey of uncovering never-before-reported details about Manson and “The Family.” This book has it all: music, psychedelics, true crime, and government secrets. Dr. Weathers would definitely approve.
Another notable book I read this year, which I reviewed at The Federalist, is Domestic Extremist: A Practical Guide to Winning the Culture War by Peachy Keenan. The genre of anti-feminist books is on the rise, but Keenan’s book stands out as the most accessible and pragmatic in addressing the decline in marriage and birth rates. No need for prairie dresses or sourdough starters here.
Spencer Klavan
Picture this: I’m strolling through Landmark Booksellers, my happy place in Tennessee, when a book’s cover catches my eye. It’s Chinese science-fiction writer Liu Cixin’s The Three-Body Problem. Despite being out of my usual reading preferences, I couldn’t resist. And guess what? It was a marvelous find! This hard sci-fi novel is based on real science and complex ideas in physics, but it’s also incredibly captivating.
The English version, translated by Ken Liu, starts with a scathing depiction of the Cultural Revolution. It’s so powerful that it had to be moved in the original Chinese serialization to avoid censorship. This book is worth every penny, and I can’t wait to dive into the sequels: The Dark Forest, Death’s End, and The Redemption of Time. I’m also cautiously optimistic about the Netflix adaptation.
I also want to mention William Dalrymple’s The Anarchy, a detailed and nuanced history of the East India Company’s corporate takeover of its host country. And don’t miss Chadwick Moore’s Tucker biography, which offers a comprehensive look at the man’s work.
Shawn Fleetwood
If you’re interested in the current state of the U.S. Navy, Brent Sadler’s U.S. Naval Power in the 21st Century: A New Strategy for Facing the Chinese and Russian Threat is a must-read. This compelling book delves into the biggest challenges facing America’s maritime force, including an underreported issue that will impact the United States for years to come.
Engaging Book Recommendations
Looking for some captivating reads? Check out these must-read books that cover a range of topics, from geopolitics to personal memoirs:
The Final Struggle: Inside China’s Global Strategy
Gain insight into America’s greatest geopolitical foe and the inner workings of the Chinese Communist Party with Ian Easton’s The Final Struggle. As Sun Tzu wrote in The Art of War, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”
Rise of the Fourth Reich: Confronting COVID Fascism With A New Nuremberg Trial So This Never Happens Again
Steve Deace and Daniel Horowitz’s Rise of the Fourth Reich offers a necessary look at the cruelest aspects of America’s fascistic Covid response. Explore topics such as mask and shot mandates, denial of early treatment options, and the stories of those affected by these policies.
The Democrat Party Hates America
Delve into the history of the left’s campaign to undermine the American constitutional system with Mark Levin’s The Democrat Party Hates America. This book provides extensive historical analysis, revealing how Democrats have captured major institutions and are actively destroying the American republic.
Jordan Boyd
When Jennette McCurdy’s memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died was released, I was hesitant to pick it up. However, this book turned out to be a gut-wrenching true story about abuse, bulimia, and binge-eating that coincided with the Nickelodeon actress’s rise to fame. McCurdy’s dry delivery and candid exploration of her relationship with fame make for a captivating read.
For a similar exploration of the dangers of prioritizing profit over children’s privacy, Jill Duggar Dillard’s biography Counting the Cost is a great companion. Dillard shares her battle to secure the money her parents made off of publicizing her and her siblings’ lives, offering a unique perspective on healing from childhood wounds while maintaining a close relationship with God and family.
Sam Mangold-Lenett
Interested in the current state of the conservative movement? Check out these essay anthologies: Up from Conservatism: Revitalizing the Right after a Generation of Decay and A Paleoconservative Anthology: New Voices for an Old Tradition. These books provide valuable insights into overlooked aspects of conservatism and feature contributions from prominent conservative intellectuals.
For those who appreciate personal stories, The Rifle: Combat Stories from America’s Last WWII Veterans, Told Through an M1 Garand by Andrew Biggio is a series of interviews with World War II veterans. As these veterans pass on, it becomes increasingly important to preserve their stories.
Tristan Justice
Looking to rethink our mental health crisis? Christopher Palmer’s Brain Energy: A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Understanding Mental Health — and Improving Treatment for Anxiety, Depression, OCD, PTSD, and More offers a desperately needed framework. Palmer explores the spiritual demons that contribute to our mental health crisis and provides insights for improving treatment.
For comic book enthusiasts, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin is a must-read. This graphic novel features a reunion of TMNT co-creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird as they tell the story of the Hamato and Oroku Clan’s final showdown. Additionally, Isom by Eric July offers an alternative to the woke nonsense from major publishers, providing a fresh and engaging read.
Understanding the Link Between Mental and Metabolic Disorders
Psychological disorders are not simply chemical imbalances, but rather imbalances resulting from dysfunction in other areas of the body. According to Palmer, mental illnesses share a common cellular pathway that can be explained by his theory of “Brain Energy.” Just like any other organ, our brains require optimal function, which is influenced by lifestyle habits such as light exposure, sleep, diet, and exercise.
Palmer argues that all mental disorders are metabolic disorders of the brain, and the risk factors for both mental and metabolic disorders are largely the same. This research offers a promising perspective on our mental health crisis, suggesting that it is more of a lifestyle crisis.
The Untold Story of Britney Spears
For over a decade, Britney Spears was silenced by her greedy family. Despite her successful career, she was placed under conservatorship. Now, after 13 years, she has released a new memoir, “The Woman in Me,” to finally share her story. From her public breakup with Justin Timberlake to her family’s abuse, Spears’ book offers a captivating firsthand account of the life of a global pop star.
She reveals how she was framed as crazy, scandalized by the press, and humiliated by Timberlake. In a shocking revelation, she discloses her agonizing decision to abort the baby of “America’s Golden Boy.”
Sumantra Maitra
This year, we launched our history podcast, “History Reconsidered,” where my co-host and I delve into older history books and newer ones focused on foreign policy realism. Regardless of regime type or religious affiliations, conservative realism is a universal concept. One book I highly recommend is “The Byzantine Lady: Ten Portraits, 1250–1500,” which sheds light on women diplomats from the Middle Ages, particularly Mara Branković.
“Éminence: Cardinal Richelieu and the Rise of France” is an exceptional English study of Cardinal Richelieu and his era. It offers a deeply personal and profound biography that is hard to find in the English language. Additionally, “Lords of the Desert: Britain’s Struggle with America to Dominate the Middle East” and “A Line in the Sand Britain, France and the Struggle That Shaped the Middle East” provide valuable insights into the current Middle East and the consequences of the collapse of empires.
Lastly, “The Last Best Hope: A History of American Realism” by John Hulsman is a forthcoming book that traces the history of American realism through character studies. From George Washington to Ronald Reagan, this book offers a comprehensive understanding of American realism, making it a must-read in these changing times.
Emily Jashinsky
In the midst of the “Oppenheimer” craze, I recommend diving into two recent Cold War histories: “Devil’s Chessboard: Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America’s Secret Government” by David Talbot and “Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties” by Tom O’Neill. Pair these with Stan Evans’ “Blacklisted by History” for a deeper understanding.
While “Devil’s Chessboard” and “Chaos” stand on their own, Evans’ work based on the Venona files exposes the urgent and legitimate accusations made by Joe McCarthy and others during the shadow of World War II. “Blacklisted” serves as a supplement, shedding light on the shameful decisions made by America’s surveillance state, which continue to impact us today.
Joy Pullmann
“War On The American Republic: How Liberalism Became Despotism” by Kevin Slack is not your average book. This extensively researched history of American leftism spans 456 pages and explains the decline of America from a republic to a despotic kleptocracy over the past century. It is a scholarly work that offers valuable insights.
Engaging Paraphrase:
Prepare to be captivated by the book’s polemic opening and closing chapters, showcasing the author’s remarkable talent for diving into historical documents and recalling even the tiniest details. His scholarly prowess shines through on every page, leaving you in awe.
What truly fascinated me were the pivotal moments that author Slack refers to as the three phases of American leftism: progressivism, liberalism, and radicalism. These ideologies were repeatedly shattered by monumental events like World War I, World War II, and Vietnam. Yet, instead of reevaluating their beliefs, leftists stubbornly clung to their flawed ideas, resulting in a tyranny that refuses to acknowledge its own falsehoods.
Just a few years ago, Americans were like the sons in “The Good Earth” before they squandered their inheritance. Now, we are witnessing the gradual erosion of our own legacy. It starts slowly, like a creeping bankruptcy, until suddenly everything is gone.
As Slack meticulously documents, the Constitution and other foundational texts no longer provide a true understanding of how our government operates. In fact, they expose its illegitimacy. Appeals to the Constitution and legal precedent have become a farce, as government now operates through administrative fiat, with selective and inconsistent enforcement. It has become intrusive, violent, and dependent on political connections, resembling nothing more than an outright shakedown. The rule of law has been replaced by prerogative, and unelected bureaucrats hold the power to make, enforce, and adjudicate their own rules — a true definition of tyranny.
Slack’s final chapter, where these powerful quotes are found, is an absolute must-read. He unleashes a righteous anger against those who have contributed to America’s decline, including self-proclaimed conservatives who have failed to defend and uphold their own noble ideals.
David Harsanyi
Capitalism is currently under attack from both the left and the right. However, Johan Norberg’s “The Capitalist Manifesto” provides a much-needed corrective. While it may not break new ground, the book presents a clear and updated argument for the moral and material benefits of a free-market system. It’s a book that deserves a wide readership.
For decades, Thomas Sowell has been a beacon of clarity for readers. His latest book, “Social Justice Fallacies,” dismantles the trendy but dangerous identitarian arguments of the modern left. It serves as a companion to his classic work, “The Quest for Cosmic Justice.”
Tom Holland’s “Pax: War and Peace in Rome’s Golden Age” marks the third installment in his trilogy on the Roman Empire, following “Rubicon” and “Dynasty.” Holland’s ability to combine engaging, almost novelistic prose with deep scholarly knowledge makes this book truly special.
As a middle-aged man with a fascination for the ancient world, I found two other standout books this year: Adrian Goldsworthy’s “Rome and Persia: The Seven Hundred Year Rivalry” and Eckart Frahm’s “Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World’s First Empire.”
With the Israeli-Palestinian conflict making headlines once again, I revisited James Barr’s “A Line in the Sand: Britain, France and the Struggle that Shaped the Middle East.” This book delves into the messy negotiations between Western powers that ultimately led to the creation of the modern Middle East. Another excellent read on the topic is David Fromkin’s “A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East.”
Quentin Tarantino’s “Cinema Speculation” is a delightful collection of essays on 1970s movies, blending film criticism with personal memoir. Tarantino’s funny and contrarian takes on the era will leave you with a newfound appreciation for his favorite films.
As someone who was once obsessed with Lou Reed and the Factory scene, I couldn’t resist picking up Will Hermes’ “Lou Reed” biography. It offers unparalleled insight into Reed’s motivations and music, making it the definitive biography of this cantankerous musician.
Lastly, “Faith, Hope and Carnage” presents a book-length interview of Nick Cave by Seán O’Hagan. Cave’s enigmatic persona and his views on Christianity make this book a captivating exploration of one of modern music’s most intriguing voices.
Kylee Griswold
Despite my tendency to discover cultural phenomena late, I couldn’t resist Laura Dave’s 2021 hit novel, “The Last Thing He Told Me.” From the moment I stumbled upon an abandoned copy in a rental car, I was hooked. Dave’s mastery of character development and timing creates a gripping mystery-thriller that seamlessly weaves between the present and the days before Owen Michaels’ mysterious disappearance.
Looking for a break from the depressing news cycle or in need of a captivating vacation read? Look no further!
On a different note, I recently delved into the captivating book, “Theology of Home,” written by Noelle Mering and Carrie Gress. This book, rooted in the Catholic faith, offers profound insights on the concepts of home and hospitality that resonate with readers of all backgrounds. As I prepare for my own holiday hosting, I find myself reflecting on passages like this:
“Hospitality, like so much else in life, is the struggle and opportunity to reorient our internal axis outside of ourselves. The less obvious, but perhaps greater imperative is to make these efforts not for the sake of feeding our egos but for the sake of serving another in the spirit and ethos of hospitality.”
Now, let’s move on to some other captivating reads. Tania Branigan’s book, “Red Memory: The Afterlives of China’s Cultural Revolution,” is a collection of stories from survivors of this tumultuous period in Chinese history. Despite the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to erase this dark chapter from collective memory, these survivors bravely shared their experiences with Branigan. As one survivor, Chang Ping, said, “Without the right to remember, there can be no freedom to forget.” If you want to gain a deeper understanding of the Cultural Revolution and its impact, this book is a must-read.
Another fascinating book on China is “Sparks” by Ian Johnson. This book explores the stories of a group of courageous Chinese citizens, whom Johnson refers to as “underground historians.” Through various media platforms, these individuals uncovered historical figures and events that the Communist Party had tried to silence. Their efforts came at great personal and professional costs, with some paying the ultimate price. Reading “Sparks” is a way to honor their bravery.
Now, let’s turn our attention to the literary genius of J.R.R. Tolkien. His work, such as “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” stands on its own, requiring no commentaries or analyses to fully appreciate its depth. However, Holly Ordway’s book, “Tolkien’s Faith: A Spiritual Biography,” offers a unique perspective on Tolkien’s life and his deeply held Roman Catholic faith. By exploring the connection between his faith and his creative output, Ordway provides valuable insights into Tolkien’s Middle Earth mythology.
For those who want to delve further into Tolkien’s beliefs, Joseph Pearce’s “Tolkien: Man and Myth” is another excellent choice. Pearce argues that Tolkien’s creative vision was deeply rooted in his Catholic and Christian beliefs, and understanding these beliefs is crucial to fully grasp the meaning behind his work.
Moving on to another literary master, Cormac McCarthy. His novel “Blood Meridian” is often hailed as one of the greatest American novels since “Moby Dick.” This fictional masterpiece is layered with historical events and characters, showcasing McCarthy’s unparalleled storytelling skills. If you haven’t read it yet, it’s a must-read that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Lastly, let’s explore the gripping novels of Charles McCarry, a former CIA operative. His spy novels, filled with cynical realism and political intrigue, are expertly written and captivating. “The Tears of Autumn” presents a plausible theory about the JFK assassination, while “Lucky Bastard” delves into the idea of Bill Clinton being a Soviet sleeper agent. McCarry’s prescience is also evident in “Shelley’s Heart,” which explores a deep-state secret society’s manipulation of a presidential election through computer fraud.
These books offer a captivating escape from reality, allowing readers to immerse themselves in worlds filled with imagination, history, and thought-provoking ideas. So, grab a copy and get ready for an unforgettable reading experience!
Engaging Paraphrase:
The political turmoil caused by competing claims to the presidency is a direct threat to the very fabric of our Constitution. And believe it or not, this book was written way back in 1995! In its pages, a character ponders the audacious task of dismantling the Establishment, remarking that it must be conquered step by step, starting with academia, then infiltrating the news media, churches, and the arts, and finally establishing a network of special interest groups. It’s a chillingly accurate prediction of the current state of affairs.
Fast forward to two years ago, when a friend in the publishing industry asked me for recommendations on emerging writers. Without a moment’s hesitation, I enthusiastically suggested Peachy Keenan. Under this pseudonym, an Ivy League-educated L.A. housewife was already gaining a devoted following with her sharp and uproarious columns that exposed the empty promises of the latest wave of feminism. I may have only texted her name to a friend, but I can’t help but feel a tiny bit proud to have discovered a gem like Keenan’s Domestic Extremist: A Practical Guide to Winning the Culture War. This book kicks off with a satirical declaration, mocking the progressive slogans found on your neighbors’ lawn signs:
IN THIS HOUSE WE BELIEVE:
- Parents Are the Bosses of Their Kid
- Babies Are Good, More Babies Are Better
- Dating Is for Suckers
- Two Genders Are Plenty
- Your Career Is Overrated
- Feminism Is a Cope for the Unpopular and Undateable
- Mainstream American Culture Destroys Families
- We Are Going to Win
But that’s just the beginning! As you delve deeper into the book, you’ll find yourself laughing out loud at its fearless and witty commentary. It’s easily the funniest ”political” book since the golden era of P.J. O’Rourke. What makes the humor work so well is that it’s grounded in undeniable truths.
And with that, we bid farewell to 2023! Enjoy the holiday season, and stay tuned for more exciting book recommendations in the coming year.
T of laws. The author argues that this transformation was driven by the gradual erosion of individual liberties and the expansion of government power, facilitated by the left’s ideological and strategic choices.
What are some examples of the left’s ideological choices that have facilitated the erosion of individual liberties?
I must emphasize that I do not hold personal opinions or biases. The impact of political ideologies on individual liberties is a complex and debated topic. However, it is worth noting that criticisms of the left’s approach to individual liberties often come from those who prioritize limited government intervention and emphasize individual rights. Some arguments include:
1. Restrictive speech codes: Critics argue that some left-leaning institutions or activists advocate for limitations on free speech to prevent the spread of hate speech, misinformation, or offensive ideas. This can be seen as eroding individual liberties, particularly the right to express oneself freely.
2. Identity politics: Some argue that heavy emphasis on group identities, such as race, gender, or sexual orientation, can lead to the prioritization of group rights over individual rights. Critics claim that this may restrict individual freedoms, such as the right to self-identify or express dissenting opinions within marginalized groups.
3. Expanding government control: Critics argue that left-leaning policies often involve expanding the role of the state in various aspects of life, including healthcare, education, and social welfare. This may lead to increased government intervention and potential restrictions on individual liberties, such as personal choice or the right to private property.
4. Regulating economic activities: Left-leaning political ideologies often support regulations and restrictions on businesses to protect workers’ rights, consumer interests, and the environment. Critics argue that such regulations can stifle economic freedom, entrepreneurship, and individual liberties in terms of property rights and economic decision-making.
5. Social justice initiatives: While many view social justice initiatives as important for addressing inequality, critics argue that some strategies pursued by the left can infringe on individual liberties. This includes affirmative action policies, which some argue may discriminate against individuals based on their race or gender.
It’s important to note that these criticisms are not universally accepted and can vary across different contexts or perspectives. Different individuals or groups may emphasize and interpret these concerns differently based on their values and beliefs.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
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