The Life and Legacy of William F. Buckley (Robert Wright & Sam Tanenhaus)

Written in 1951, God and Man at Yale is a critical examination of Yale University's undergraduate education by William F. Buckley Jr., who had just graduated from the institution. The book argues that Yale's faculty were undermining the university's founding ethos of Christian humanism by promoting atheism, collectivism, and Keynesian economics. Buckley criticized specific courses and professors for their hostility to religion and individualism, suggesting that this was a betrayal of the values held by Yale's alumni. The book is considered a seminal work in the American conservative movement and had a significant impact on Buckley's career and public profile.

In this book, Robert Wright argues that Buddhism offers a secular, Westernized approach to mindfulness meditation that can help individuals and society by reducing suffering and increasing empathy. He draws on evolutionary biology, psychology, and neuroscience to support Buddhist teachings, such as the concept of 'no-self' and the nature of human suffering. The book is a personal journey that began with Wright's work on evolutionary psychology and deepened through his practice of meditation and conversations with skilled meditators. It aims to show how Buddhist principles can be applied in a secular age to improve individual and societal well-being.

Published in 1954, this book provides a detailed analysis of the McCarthy era, focusing on the State Department security policies of the 1940s and McCarthy’s public cases. The authors defend McCarthy where the record supports him and criticize him where he overstepped. The book also critiques the Tydings Committee, arguing it was unfair and untruthful. It discusses the appropriate standards for national security employment and the balance between security risks and individual rights.

In 'The Strange Career of Jim Crow', C. Vann Woodward explores the historical development of racial segregation in the American South. Published in 1955, the book argues that segregation was not a natural outcome of the Civil War but rather a political tool employed by Southern whites in the late 19th century to regain power. Woodward examines significant Supreme Court rulings, such as Plessy v. Ferguson, which entrenched the 'separate but equal' doctrine. He details the degrading effects of Jim Crow laws on African Americans and highlights the resistance and non-violent protests that led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The book is hailed as a landmark in American race relations and was instrumental in shaping the civil rights movement.

In this book, Robert Wright explores the development of God concepts from pre-agricultural societies to the rise of Christianity and Islam. He uses archaeology, theology, history, and evolutionary psychology to reveal how these faiths have evolved away from belligerence and intolerance towards harmony and reconciliation. Wright also discusses the potential for a modern scientific worldview to coexist with a divine perspective, challenging conventional wisdom about the origins and evolution of monotheism.