Liberty and Tyranny

           A few days ago, I finished Mark Levin's new book, Liberty and Tyranny.  Since it was published in March, I’m sure many of my readers have already read it and wondered why I have not commented on it.  I can only say, so many books, so little time.  However, despite my tardiness, I feel I must contribute my praise.

           Most people will know the author as host of the Mark Levin radio show, but there is more to the man.  Levin graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude from Temple University.  He went on to earn a law degree from the university.  During the Reagan administration he served as a top advisor to several cabinet members, Associate Director of Presidential Personnel and eventually Chief of Staff to Attorney General Edwin Meese.

           Liberty and Tyranny, his third book, shot to number one on the New York Times Best Seller list and stayed there for eleven of the next twelve weeks.  Subtitled A Conservative Manifesto, it is indeed a declaration of principles and intentions and more.  I consider it a guide to applied conservative political philosophy.  The eleven chapters cover many issues facing the nation today including welfare, environmentalism and immigration.  Levin provides the statist position on each issue and then dissects it and offers the conservative principle with frequent references to the Constitution, Founders and the Federalist Papers. 

           The final chapter, titled A Conservative Manifesto, is a short position summary on a variety of issues.  For the liberal who wants the paleo or classical conservative position, this is where you would turn.

           Mark Levin’s other political book, Men In Black: How The Supreme Court Is Destroying America, was published in 2005.     

           Many conservatives know instinctively what is right, but find it hard to defend their positions against the liberal media.  This book gives all of us the historical and legal background to defend a classical conservative position.  I recommend it.