The Conservative Tradition

By: Patrick N. Allitt, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Patrick N. Allitt

Length: 18 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

A thorough understanding of Conservatism's lineage, principles, and impact on history is essential to making sense of the 21st-century political dialogue-a dialogue that consumes the television you watch, the newspapers you read, and the radio you listen to.

No matter where you place yourself on the ideological spectrum, these 36 lectures will intrigue you, engage you, and maybe even provoke you to think about this political philosophy in an entirely new way.

In crafting his exploration of just why this has happened, Professor Allitt has specifically designed his lectures to be objective, neutral, and intellectually satisfying for every viewer and listener - whatever their ideological outlook. Using an easygoing and engaging style, these lectures show you how Anglo-American Conservatism developed and evolved in both Great Britain and the United States; how traditional Conservatism produced evolutionary variants like Neoconservatism and Libertarianism; and the provocative ways in which Conservatism has interacted with differing political philosophies. Following the fascinating history of Conservatism, you'll also meet the widest possible range of thinkers and practitioners behind the Conservative tradition, including John Stuart Mill, Ayn Rand, Francis Schaeffer, Adam Smith, Henry Adams, Alexander Hamilton, William Pitt the Younger, Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, H.L. Mencken, William F. Buckley Jr., Ludwig von Mises, and Friedrich von Hayek.Whether you consider yourself a Liberal or a Conservative-or something in between-these lectures can make you a more effective and informed citizen, armed with a sharpened understanding of the ways in which this philosophy has influenced events around the world.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2009 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2009 The Great Courses

you don't need to be a conservative to enjoy.

Where does The Conservative Tradition rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I found this very interesting, going in I knew very little about conservatism or it's founding ideas as a political philosophy. The course goes into detail from it's history in the UK to the States and around the world. very comprehensive.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

the amount of information covered is very impressive.

Have you listened to any of Professor Patrick N. Allitt’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Very entertaining Professor.

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

the links between the US and UK

Any additional comments?

if you are interested in politics, even if your viewpoint is not necessarily conservative - check it out.

Essential listening for the politically engaged

It was delightful to learn about the richness and variety of conservatism on both sides of the Atlantic. I wish he would do a course as thoughtful and insightful on the history of the Left and progressivism.

Wonderful, like all Prof Allitt's courses

I can hardly express the delight I've had in listening to this and every one of Prof Allitt's courses. He is one of the most engaging and charming of all narrators, and his narrative style is endlessly fascinating, diverting, and interesting. The worst moment of all his courses is when you come to the end!! He is pretty objective here in surveying conservative theory, or at least I thought he was until he got to Thatcher and Reagan. Iran-Contra? S & L scandal? Never heard of them. I suspect that the author came of political age under Thatcher, and never lost his first love. If there is even a hint of criticism of the Iron Lady I missed it. But this doesn't detract from the overall superlative quality of the course. I learned a ton, most pleasurably.

A great eye opener

A wonderfully conservative history and very convincing. Honestly, it's made me want to be more of a conservative individual and see the values of the other political spectrum. Highly recommended!

An Excellent Historical Look at Conservatism

Would you listen to The Conservative Tradition again? Why?

I would listen to this audio book again, but I would skip through certain chapters. Professor Allitt gives a very in depth history of the political tradition. He covers a great deal of British conservatism, which I didn't find as relevant or interesting if you have no connection to the UK. It was still a great lesson.

Thoroughly enjoyable- take the plunge!

There are lots of positive reviews, so perhaps mine isn't needed. Still, I wanted to say that I debated for some time before buying this, but once I did, I listened almost nonstop. I thought it got just a bit biased around the neo-con section but even then it wasn't off-putting.

Still, I intend to give it a second listen very soon.

Outstanding

This is a thorough and unbiased introduction to conservatism. Allitt’s courses are always very a enjoyable listen.

Superb - It filled in so many gaps in my understan

Would you listen to The Conservative Tradition again? Why?

Yes. I have already listed to it twice and will again. I do listen at 1.5x speed since most lectures are somewhat slow of speech. My comprehension went way up when I did not have to wait as long for completion of an idea. I actually listened to a major part at 2x but I may be A.D.D.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Coming from a center-left general outlook I wanted to understand many of the contradictions (hypocrisy?) of conservative thought. Professor Allitt expanded the various threads in conservative thought and helped me see how many of these branches are diametrically opposed to each other. I was not being fair by forcing all these individual threads into a single bucket. It was not hypocrisy I was seeing but it was my own prejudice. Now when I listen to conservatives I try to understand what branch this person represents and I often find some common ground. Excellent work Dr. Allitt!

Which scene was your favorite?

Not applicable. Non-fiction.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Would be a documentary not a film.

Any additional comments?

I have done a lot of teaching company lecture series, this is one of the best!

Comprehensive (clap clap clap)

Could do without the canned applause at the start and end of each “lecture.” It’s not as though we’re unaware that the book was recorded in a studio rather than a lecture hall. Otherwise an engaging and thoughtful historical overview, presented in a largely even-handed way (though, reading between the lines, one can guess where the professor’s sympathies lie).

Outstanding Course from a Remarkable Professor

I am only on lecture 12 of 36 lectures, but rarely have I enjoyed the learning experience more. I had to pause and write a quick review. This course takes in British history, American history, British and American intellectual history, economic history and philosophy, and so much more. I thought I would be learning about Edmond Burke of course, but John Stuart Mill, Abraham Lincoln, the Irish famine, the American Civil War as well? If this is typical of Professor Allitt's courses, then I will be listening to all of them more than once. What an excellent scholar and presenter. Now, back to the course.