The Reactionary Mind: Conservatism from Edmund Burke to Sarah Palin

This books explains very well how a fundamental part of the right-wing mindset is not technically 'conservative' but willing to change society radically in order to preserve existing power structures and construct new ones at the expense of the underprivileged. In a world that keeps trying to humanise the enemy and imply that their hatefulness is just a result of self-loathing for which they should be pitied, it's good to be reminded that the reactionary mind knows what it's doing and is not in the least bit conflicted or tortured in its mission to roll back democratic gains.

A loose collection of essays describing the origins and future trajectories of current conservatism. Describes thinkers with worthy praise and demagogues with fiery condemnation. The part on Ayn Rand is especially critical.

Interesting, but falls down in that it's a collection of disconnected essays with only a somewhat loose theme connecting them - contrary to what the book's description would lead you to believe. The book is most interesting as a brief survey of conservative thought historically. When it talks about the past decade it doesn't really connect the ideas about conservative thought that he's developed with modern movements. The introduction is really a pretty good summary of the whole book and probably the best part. I did enjoy the book as a whole but I wish it delivered more of what the title and description suggest.

Corey Robin explains the primal forces in today's reactionaries. The book goes a long way towards explaining the motivation behind Trump's supporters.

Didn't like very much. One-sided one-track analysis. I did like chapter 9, about the use of "national security" to justify just about anything.

I'm putting down a lot of books these days--only got about 40 pages in. Reductionist and unsatisfying.