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Sunday 31 July 2011

Reflections on the Revolution in France, Edmund Burke

This is perhaps the seminal text of traditional British conservatism.  First published in 1790, it is the best known attack in the English language on the French Revolution and the principles that motivated it.

Monday 25 July 2011

Conservatism, Kieron O'Hara

The late Lord Longford used to tell a revealing story about Stanley Baldwin, the longest-serving Conservative leader of the 20th century.  Longford once asked the old boy which political thinker had influenced him the most. Baldwin replied: "There is one political thinker who has had more influence upon me than all others - Sir Henry Maine.  Rousseau argued that all human progress was from contract to status, but Maine made it clear once and for all that the real movement was from status to contract."

Wednesday 20 July 2011

How to be a Woman, Caitlin Moran

This book comes recommended by Nigella Lawson and Jonathan Ross, but it's actually not too bad.