The Roots of Modern Conservatism

“The creation story of the modern conservative movement is a familiar tale of begats. Bill Buckley begat Barry Goldwater who begat Ronald Reagan. But perhaps that tale is too familiar. Michael Bowen offers a fascinating, meticulously researched, and revealing prequel to the well-worn narrative. This is an invaluable, scholarly contribution to both intellectual and political history.” — Jonah Goldberg, contributing editor, National Review, and columnist, LA Times

“Michael Bowen’s fine new book is a timely reminder that rifts within political parties are not only about competing policy agendas but also about fights between career politicos and their organizations. The Roots of Modern Conservatism helps explain why the Republicans took so long to rebound from the collapse of the Hoover presidency and what the long-term consequences for American conservatism were of that long period in the political wilderness.” — David Stebenne, Ohio State University, author of Modern Republican: Arthur Larson and the Eisenhower Years

“Mike Bowen’s narrative gives us an inside look at party leadership at a hinge point in our political history. He delves into the back story of a number of figures and events to explain how and why the Republican Party developed the way it did after World War II. This is a must read for anyone interested in the emergence of our modern two-party system.” — U.S. Senator Bob Graham

“This book makes a necessary correction to our understanding of the history of conservatism and the Republican party, and it will be useful for scholars, graduates, and upper-level undergraduates.” — Journal of American History

“Explore[s] in insightful ways American political developments during the 1940s and 1950s. . . . [It] merit[s] wide attention.” — International Social Science Review

“This is a masterful treatment of a time when the Republican Party was truly a minority party, and an adroit explanation of how it began to lift itself out of the doldrums.” — North Carolina Historical Review

“[A] judicious and timely account.” — The Historian

“Bowen offers a convincing account of the demise of Dewey’s moderate Republicanism and Taft’s Old Guard.” — Kansas History

“A detailed, interesting, even intriguing investigation. . . . Through careful analysis of archival material, news and magazine accounts, and the writings of other scholars, Bowen tells a lively and largely well written story about ideas, politics, egos, and both good and bad decisions.” — Florida Historical Quarterly