The Conservative Ascendancy: How the GOP Right Made Political History

Whether you are Liberal or Conservative, Democrat or Republican, if you are a political junkie, you will like a book I just finished: “The Conservative Ascendancy: How the GOP Right Made Political History" by Donald T. Critchlow. This is a history of political maneuvering of individuals interested in countering Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal and confronting Communism.

Critchlow documents show how these ideas drew various interest groups, many of whom were not Republicans, together. It follows the nomination of Barry Goldwater for President of the United States, support of Richard Nixon, the first big Conservative triumph of Ronald Reagan and on to the election George W. Bush.

This history covers the losses as well as triumphs of American Conservatives. It covers issues that brought them to power, that cost them elections and issues that divided the Republican Party itself. I think that anyone interested in politics will not be able to put this book down.