Conservatives Without Conscience

By: John W. Dean

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

John Dean's last New York Times best seller, Worse Than Watergate: The Secret Presidency of George W. Bush, offered the former White House insider's unique and telling perspective on George W. Bush's presidency. Once again, Dean employs his distinctive knowledge and understanding of Washington politics and process to examine the conservative movement's current inner circle of radical Republican leaders, from Capitol Hill to Pennsylvania Avenue to K Street and beyond.

In Conservatives Without Conscience, Dean not only highlights specific right-wing-driven GOP policies but also probes the conservative mind-set, identifying recurring qualities such as the unbridled viciousness toward those daring to disagree with them, as well as the big business favoritism that costs taxpayers billions. Dean identifies specific examples of how court packing is seeking to form a judiciary that is activist by its very nature, how religious piety is producing politics run amok, and how concealed indifference to the founding principles of liberty and equality is pushing America further and further from its constitutional foundations.

By the end, Dean paints a vivid picture of what's happening at the top levels of the Republican Party, a noble political party corrupted by its current leaders who cloak their actions in moral superiority while packaging their programs as blatant propaganda. Dean, certainly no alarmist, finds disturbing signs that current right-wing authoritarian thinking, when conflated with the dominating personalities of the conservative leadership could take the United States toward its own version of fascism.

©2006 John W. Dean (P)2006 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A penetrating and highly disturbing portrait of many of the major players in Republican politics and power...riveting." (Booklist, starred review)

"A fierce indictment of Republican politicians...the sheer outrage in Dean's book has power of its own." (Chicago Tribune)

Jim in Ohio

Would you consider the audio edition of Conservatives Without Conscience to be better than the print version?

You can't make-up this stuff. Full of intrigue and explanation.

What other book might you compare Conservatives Without Conscience to and why?

Which character – as performed by Robertson Dean – was your favorite?

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Any additional comments?

Disturbing

A wake-up call from twelve years in the past. Our present situation seems much worse. Very insightful

Authoritarianism Revealed

John Dean does a great job of exposing why Presidents (and other leaders) do not and can not LISTEN! By far, the best explaination of authoritarianism I have ever read. He really lays it out and he should know, after working for Nixon. Great read, especially if you wonder why Presidents of countries, corporations, etc. have a zero ability to listen and learn. They are watching mouths move, but nothing will ever sink in because of their authoritarian mental structure. I highly recommend it. Very well written.

overall, interesting read

how the White House is hijacked by right wing conservative Christian fundamentalists with the smug conviction that their attitudes and beliefs are all that matter. Hijacked? Maybe not, maybe the correct idea is that the president as sold the executive branch to this movement. I used to think this president was just a dope, but now I think maybe he's just an astute salesman- he knew he could not prevail by right of his own (lack of) accomplishments, so he figured out how to pander to this smarmy bunch who could deliver him votes.

A Frightening Picture of American Politics

If this doesn't put you in mortal fear of this government, you need serious mental healthcare.

An extremely valuable read to understanding US politics

This is a critical read for anyone trying to understand some of the critical conditions that lead to the election of Donald Trump and the demise of the GOP Party that existed before his election. While the book was written even before the election of Barack Obama, it does an excellent job of revealing the corruption of the American Conservative movement and the rise of authoritarianism in America. John Dean brings a keen mind and excellent research to this book, which remains relevant in 2018 and beyond.

Incisive and Insightful

The author, John Dean is meticulous in explaining his analysis, as well as in explaining how his analysis supports his premises and conclusions. He carefully documents the facts he presents in his analysis.

The book is written in an engaging style; that avoids the dryness which often is part and parcel of serious written analysis of public policy and politics.This may stem from the engaging manner in which readers (listeners) are encouraged to draw their own individual conclusions throughout. Readers(listeners) are gently prompted to become more informed and aware of current events and become more engaged in, today's political processes, regardless of political affiliation.

This work provides an introduction to the studies of Robert Altemyer and other social scientists as well as journalists who have studied and reported upon some of the psychological dynamics in play in politics which are discussed in this book.

The overarching point/theory/story is an interesting one. Although this work focuses on a specific set of people in modern current events, the concepts apply generally. One does not have to be a conservative to be an authoritarian; and one does not have to be an authoritarian to be a conservative. It is essential for all leaders to lead with a conscience not just an ideology. The author, John Dean makes this point abundantly clear in the beginning of the book, and at various points throughout the book

The reader is very good. His voice was engaging. His enunciation was clear. His pace was just right for my ear.

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He was right.

Everything this books fears will come to pass has. If only Democrats had actually fought this march to authoritarianism in its infancy instead of pretending they were facing a political movement operating in good faith.

A Look at Conservatism

A well written look at conservatism and it’s various shades and hues as reflected in America. A look at the rise of authoritarianism and surprisingly prescient. A very thorough look at conservatism with well documented examples.

decent, but not great and not very deep

I was hopng for a little more insider story than was provided. the book was kind of a truthful dig on conservatives, but I didn't learn anything new and it left some to be desired. kinda like this review!