Crunchy Cons: How Birkenstocked Burkeans, Gun-loving Organic Gardeners, Evangelical Free-range Farmers, Hip Homeschooling Mamas, Right-wing Nature Lovers, and Their Diverse Tribe of Countercultural Conservatives Plan to Save America [or at least the Republican Party]

At least ten times a day, this thought occurs to me:

"There's got to be a better way."

Usually, because I'm a teacher, it concerns some minor widget of elementary classroom logistics and passes within 3 seconds of its awning. But other times it occurs over and over again about things that matter, like education as a whole, or food, or the communities we live in, or cars, or the political party I kind of stand for but can't stand. I don't even know what we mean by "conservative" anymore when I hear it on the radio or read it in the newspaper.

Did it have a meaning at one point? And what would our nation look like if we recognized that meaning?

This book makes a hopeful, possibly doable, if idealistic offering toward a "better way", focusing show more on the stuff that matters. And even if you're not looking to take back America for the Republicans by walking to work and shopping at co-ops, it's a book that matters. show less

from the subtitle and cover of this book, i was expecting it to be a somewhat humorous portrayal of the subject matter, some kind of light read to laugh at and not take too seriously. however, i was pleasantly surprised. i picked up the book because i love people who violate stereotypes. i really wasn't expecting to get so much out of it, since the book was written for conservatives. the book made me think about the views i have held of conservatives and republicans, (war mongering, gay bashing, imperialistic, evangelical christians who are only interested in economic gain.) i mean, i knew before i read the book that those things aren't completely true, but this book made me realize how important it is to really not let myself slip into show more that mindset of dismissing everything and everyone conservative. he made a good point about how what often unites conservatives is hating liberals, and what unites liberals is hating conservatives. he doesn't talk tons about politics, because what we really need isn't political change, but cultural change, with not so much value on individualism and materialism. i was really impressed because he seems so much more consistant than many political voices. his beliefs about family values don't stop at abortion and gay marriage, but extend to turning off tv and spending time with your kids and your neighbors. and promoting quality of life after birth. and having a sacramental worldview, where everything has intrinsic worth and things we do reflect our values. and i liked how he pointed out about jesus saying just as much about greed as he did about lust, and republicans have become too focused on sins of lust... and of course i loved everything he said about caring for the earth and buying locally to support local economies and enhance community and families. the book just opened me up more to different ideas and different ways of thinking and how i should really try to get over the labeling people thing. show less

I started this book a long time ago - had to return it to the library - got it out again - had to return it again - now finally.... I have finished it, although it is once again overdue! I am glad I stuck with it. As a previous reviewer (Katie) stated, it does give you a different way of looking at conservatives. I found myself agreeing with many of this author's ideas of conservatism, although I would never classify myself as a conservative. I particularly liked his idea of the sacramental nature of all reality, that is, that holiness is constantly transmitted through everyday objects, occurences and individuals. Thus we must respect and treat with reverence all of nature and all people. A quote from the end of the book that I really show more liked: "We have to start living by our ideals, judging things not by what works most efficiently, but by what's good, what's true, what's beautiful - in other words, what's right." This book reminds me of something a friend of mine, who would, I think, consider herself a conservative, said. In talking about our differing political opinions, she commented that we have many differences, but we "share the same heart." Perhaps that is what this book teaches - that liberals and conservatives often share the same heart. The problem is that we frequently spend too much time hating each other to notice it. show less

This was mildly interesting, but I don't see it forming a revolution from within the GOP. What I most enjoyed was the exploration of some other dimension than unbridled greed vs unbridled hedonism. The author also makes a respectable case for traditional religion.

Extremely interesting and compelling book. Dreher describes a different sort of conservatism than what is currently en vogue with the republican party. Crunchy conservatives have community and people-oriented values, championing the small business person

Despite its peculiar passages this book was an edifying read. There is much to learn here and much more on this entire subject.

Bottom line, culture is more important than politics and to that I say amen. One thing I wish the book had said and it even seemed to hint is, only God can save us and he can save us if only we repent and we can only repent if he helps us.

I never read poli-sci till this last year. I loved this book and found my political identity! I: homeschool, vote republican, recycle, cloth diaper, give birth naturally...