Letters to a Young Conservative

Rating:
Summary: Good start
Review: ... It is something like a Shorter Catechism; topics are introduced, the Conservative stance clearly and succinctly presented, but there is little depth.

I presume this is intentional, and am gratified to see the short list of essential readings in the back of the book.

Conservatives have opportunities on every side in this new century to achieve great things and perhaps undo some of the damage leftists have perpetrated on world culture.

As Mr. D'Souza points out, left to their own, socialists argue against their own point of view most effectively. This is seldom covered in the popular press. Gee, fancy that.

One can hope that work like this will pique the interest of young people, who will then, one continues to hope, investigate Conservative thinkers in more depth.

I wish something like this had been around in 1969, when I was, ahem, waving my freak flag high.

Closer to 4.5 stars -- buy several and hand them out to young and old. Donate copies to your library if they don't have this - particularly your college or university libraries.

Rating:
Summary: Cogent and right on target
Review: Dinesh D'Souza continues to impress with this offering - a collection of letters written to a fictional student named Chris delineating D'Souza's passionate message of an exciting new conservativism. D'Souza slams and debunks the blame America first leftist crowd's weak argument of liberalism by exposing it for what it truly is - blatant hypocrisy. They claim to be for human rights, but are willing to stand by and watch a dictatorial despot indiscriminately rape and murder his own people and commit genocide.

While liberals vigorously fight for animal rights through organizations such as PETA, they, in turn, deem it justifiable to kill human babies because they're "not alive yet." And, just as Affirmative Action eliminates the freedom of choice by employers and colleges; so, too, does it not only devalue black achievement and intensify doubts about black capacity, it, in and of itself, advocates the very thing it espouses to prevent - selection via racial preference. D'Souza makes for well-articulated and intelligent read. I could not put it down.

Rating:
Summary: Cogent and right on target
Review: Dinesh D'Souza has elevated himself to the forefront of the movement of a return to traditional and smart moral values - and away from liberal moral relativism and its inherent decadence. D'Souza, while using a fictional college student named Chris as his addressee, intelligently articulates a fresh and exciting philosophy of passionate conservatism. This conservatism, as he points out, is not the nonsensical hypocritical Old European kind. Rather, conservatism is the only logical and moral choice for all Americans who genuinely aspire to greatness by means of their own ingenuity, and with the freedom and liberty that is available only in America.

D'Souza easily debunks liberalism and libertarianism as inferior to conservatism. First off, liberalism, in all its supposed pro-choice dogma, doesn't give employers a choice to chooose its own employees thanks to affirmative action. Affirmative action not only perpetuates the insinuation that African-Americans are inferior by aiding in their selection by employers and colleges, it demonstrably achieves the reverse of what it purports to eliminate - discrimination of candidates based solely on their skin color.

Secondly, libertarianism, in its manifest wisdom, strongly disdains government involvement as well as drug regulation. While less government is intertwined in Republicanism as well, D'Souza points out that government must be a supplier of a strong national defense and illicit drugs must be regulated. Without some government intervention and a national defense we would no doubt witness total chaos. D'Souza brings unbridled passion to his writing which makes for a quick, fun, and informative read. A great book to refute the bed-wetting liberal demagogue.

Rating:
Summary: Well done, but incomplete
Review: A wonderfully readable summary of many of the key elements of conservatism. Dinesh's only shortfall here is an underappreciation of the importance of our Christian legacy on our American republic. Not just for the young!

Rating:
Summary: Dinesh does it again !!!!
Review: This book which is more of a compilation of the author's correspondence with one of his fan-readers is a superb collection of letters and is WORTH BUYING.

I heard about this book on Hannity&Colmes when the duo interviewed Dinesh D'Souza.

This is a great book.

At no point will you feel that the author is trying to indoctrinate you or trying to push you with his ideas.

We all know who liberals and conservatives are ? But it is very difficult to define each one of them. I particularly enjoyed his discussion of who conservatives are? And who are Liberals? What are the value systems of both? In this part the author has chosen words so effectively that you feel "Aha , that's what I mean when I say I am a conservative !"

The concept of Government being a problem rather than solution is well developed.

Chapters 4 thru 9 are the most interesting ones.

Rating:
Summary: Another good book by Dinesh D¿Souza
Review: There were a few parts that I found especially humorous. His exchange with Fox Butterfield was hilarious. Overall though, the book renders several compelling arguments in favor of conservativism and against liberalism. D'Souza makes it clear to the reader that this is not just a theoretical debate. The outcome of this ongoing national debate has real implications for our society and the individual. It matters!

I really enjoyed reading this book. D'souza has a terrific sense of humor and a sharp mind. In this book he blends his wit with serious commentary.

This book is especially valuable if you are forming your political opinions.

Rating:
Summary: Good guide for young conservatives
Review: While reading this I have to admit that I wish D'Souza had written it ten years ago when I was just starting university. It would have saved me reinventing the wheel as a campus activist and learning the hard way some of the lessons he teaches in Letters to a Young Conservative. It's almost a given that the higher the amount of vitriol leveled at a conservative the more spot on they are about the issues and D'Souza takes a lot of flack over what he writes. This book shows you why. His essential points: use the truth, be fearless and never stop fighting. A worthy guide for campus conservatives.

Rating:
Summary: True eye opener!
Review: This book is so wonderful. It is written at a fairly easy level, which is good for the kind of book it is. Some political books get a little too in depth and end off in tangents that lose your interest or make you forget what the point was. This book is so well written and easy to understand. D'Souza really knows what's going on and simply states the facts while revealing liberal lies. This book is a must read for any young person interested in politics, or knowing the truth. Especially if you go to a crappy liberal state university like I do and are sick of liberal professors. Hehe. Enjoy! You won't regret it! And if you do, you've been brainwashed by MTV.

Rating:
Summary: Handbook for a Rising Army
Review: In this pocket-sized manual, D'Souza equips and exhorts an army in training. A wave of young conservatism is rising with my generation. I am a conservative at a liberal university. The flow of thought in this book followed mine very closely. He addresses questions as they rise. He reaffirms thoughts that were already floating around in my head, and brings them to a new level of cohesiveness and conviction.

Each chapter is a quick summary of basic defensive and offensive maneuvers for a young conservative under attack. He inspires his readers to be proud of their conservatism. He laughs as he encourages us to flaunt our "outdated weirdness" and to stand firm in the face of the steamrolling liberalism(particularly academia).

This book does more than just provoke thought, it is a call to action. He is calling this new generation of true radicals to start moving. He gives ideas from his own brilliant career at Dartmouth, that make the reader itch to start his or her own revolution. He shares the excitement of irritating preachers of tolerance, and frustrating liberal "manners".

Rating:
Summary: Same old, same old
Review: This book is nothing new! It is just the same garbage in a different package. Is this truly what America is about: Conservative vs. Liberal? Anyone who is truly in the mainstream of America knows that the majority of Americans share both conservative and liberal ideas, they are not mutally exclusive. We need less of this either or garbage, and more reality.