George Will: Democracy Rests on Persuasion

This book is a compilation of George F. Will's columns written between 2008 and 2020. It delves into a variety of subjects, including court cases, particularly those from the Supreme Court, the American Revolutionary War, historical figures like Frederick Douglass and JFK, and assessments of modern State of the Union Addresses. Will also addresses topics such as American socialists, anti-capitalist conservatives, drug policy, the criminal justice system, climatology, the Coronavirus, the First Amendment, parenting, meritocracy and education, China, fascism, authoritarianism, and cultural figures like Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, and The Beach Boys. The collection is characterized by Will's wisdom, humor, and his ability to combine high thinking with a shrewd understanding of day-to-day American politics.

In this book, George F. Will provides a richly documented history and argument for a wider embrace of conservative political values. He discusses how the Founders' vision, as articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, has shaped American political tradition. Will argues that conservatism is under threat from both progressives and elements within the Republican Party, and he critiques the growth of the administrative state, the failure of Congress to exercise its legislative powers, and the erosion of constitutional principles. The book is a deep and sustained reflection on American conservatism, emphasizing the importance of natural rights, limited government, and the transmission of Western historical heritage[2][3][4].