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Every book George Will recommended on podcasts
George Will’s most recommended books
- Madison's Metronome by Greg Weiner
- Crisis of the House Divided by Harry V. Jaffa
- The Conscience of a Conservative by Barry M. Goldwater
- The Constitution of Liberty by Friedrich August Hayek
- The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
- The Rise and Fall of American Growth by Robert J. Gordon
- The Road to Serfdom by F. A. Hayek
George Will appeared on EconTalk to discuss his conservative philosophy and various historical and economic subjects. During the episode, he recommended Greg Weiner's book Madison's Metronome, describing it as a slender volume published by the University of Kansas Press that explains the thought of James Madison rather than serving as a traditional biography. Will also discussed several other notable books. He mentioned Barry M. Goldwater's The Conscience of a Conservative, noting that Goldwater famously did not write it himself. Additionally, he cited Harry V. Jaffa's Crisis of the House Divided as a great book on Abraham Lincoln, and referenced John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath to illustrate American mobility and the impact of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. Will also brought up Robert J. Gordon's tome The Rise and Fall of American Growth to explore perspectives on economic development. Finally, Will shared an anecdote involving Friedrich August Hayek, recalling when Margaret Thatcher pulled a copy of The Constitution of Liberty from her handbag and slammed it on a table to declare what her movement believed, while clarifying that the book in question was indeed The Constitution of Liberty rather than The Road to Serfdom.
Books recommended by George Will
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Madison's Metronome
Madison's Metronome by Greg Weiner is a scholarly and concise examination of the political thought and constitutional philosophy of James Madison.
Recommended“is there a good one now it's not a biography but it's it's an explanation of his thought it's by Greg Weiner it's a slender book published by the University of Kansas pressed it's called Madison's metronome”
Where to get it
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Crisis of the House Divided
Discussed“and Harry of course is the author of the great book on Lincoln crisis of the house divided”
Where to get it
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The Conscience of a Conservative
The Conscience of a Conservative by Barry M.
Discussed“he famously did not write but presumably read the conscience of a concern that's it yes”
Where to get it
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The Constitution of Liberty
The Constitution of Liberty by Friedrich August Hayek is a classic defense of classical liberalism and individual freedom, examining the institutional frameworks necessary for a free society.
Discussed“reached in her famously capacious handbag pulled out a copy of Hayek's the constitution of Liberty slammed it on the table and said this is what we believe”
Where to get it
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The Grapes of Wrath
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is a classic American novel depicting the hardships of Oklahoma families migrating to California during the Great Depression.
Discussed“when the Dust Bowl and the depression this one-two punch hit Oklahoma in John Steinbeck's Great Depression novel Grapes of Wrath the Joad family got up and moved”
Where to get it
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The Rise and Fall of American Growth
The Rise and Fall of American Growth by Robert J.
Discussed“and we have people like a professor Gordon the rise and fall of American growth his great tome”
Where to get it
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The Road to Serfdom
The Road to Serfdom by F.
Discussed“be sure not the Road to Serfdom I positive was able to see it was the it was the constitution of Liberty”
Where to get it
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Will on the Conservative Sensibility | EconTalk | 2019-09-16 | 7 |