Edmund Burke: A Genius Reconsidered » (Revised)

Dr. Kirk was one of this century's foremost men of letters. He was the founder of the conservative quarterlies Modern Age and The University Bookman. The Conservative Mind, Edmund Burke, The Roots of American Order, Enemies of the Permanent Things, and Eliot and His Age  are among his over thirty books.

Russell Kirk was a leading figure in the post-World War II revival of American interest in Edmund Burke. Today, no one who takes seriously the problems of society dares remain indifferent to "the first conservative of our time of troubles." In Russell Kirk's words: "Burke's ideas interest anyone nowadays, including men bitterly dissenting from his conclusions. If conservatives would know what they defend, Burke is their touchstone; and if radicals wish to test the temper of their opposition, they should turn to Burke." Kirk unfolds Burke's philosophy, showing how it revealed itself in concrete historical situations during the eighteenth century and how Burke, through his philosophy, "speaks to our age. "This volume makes vivid the four great struggles in the life of Burke: his efforts to reconcile England with the American colonies; his involvement in cutting down the domestic power of George III; his prosecution of Warren Hastings, the Governor-General of India; and his resistance to Jacobinism, the French Revolution's "armed doctrine."

Children's Literature

With a forward by Roger Scruton, this detailed biography presents the life and time of Edmund Burke in eleven lengthy chapters, including an epilogue about why he is studied. Born in Dublin in 1729, Burke spent most of his career in England as a conservative statesman and philosopher. An index, notes, biographical notes and a timeline are included. 1977, Intercollegiate Studies Institute, $24.95. Ages 16 up. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan