Book Review – UPSTREAM: The Ascendance of American Conservatism

Over the past decade or so, multiple histories of American Conservatism have appeared on the shelves of our local bookstores. Al Regnery’s Upstream: The Ascendance of American Conservatism is the latest, and by far the best. Regnery delivers a history that is not only readable, but delivers the right mix of intellectual and political history. As we have seen during six years when the White House and both houses of Congress were dominated by those that called themselves “conservative”, getting the right mix is important to both the nation and the GOP (which claims to be the “conservative” party).

That singular blend of Lockean liberalism, inherent belief in limited government, fierce defense of a free market (versus crony capitalism), along with a healthy dollup of Edmund Burke’s respect for tradition are what have melded into a uniquely American conservatism. Regnery is in a unique position to lay out the rich tapestry of the American conservative movement since 1945. Extensively researched, Upstream benefits not only from the author’s diligence but from his advantageous (and almost singular) perspective.

Regnery’s father was Henry Regnery. Without his publishing company, and William F. Buckley’s National Review, it is fair to say that the modern conservative movement would not have developed into what we know today. The author had the privilege of observing, and studying, first hand, the men and women who made the ascendance of American conservatism possible. Regnery is in the position to offer firsthand knowledge, with enough detachment that we needn’t search for a personal agenda. While many writers in this position would be tempted to crowd the book with personal anecdotes, Regnery only does so to make a point.

Beginning Upstream with the passing of Ronald Reagan, Regnery drives home an important and often overlooked point – the death of a beloved leader (of the nation and a movement) was both an end and a beginning for the American Conservative movement. What began as a small group of intellectuals (and an even smaller group of politicians) moved forward through the Goldwater years (1953 – 1964) and then with Reagan as the head of the movement (1966 – 1989).

Regnery delivers the people and organizations which have made this conservative ascendance possible. Social conservative leaders such as Paul Weyrich. Economic and philosophical thinkers such as F. A. Hayek and Milton Friedman. Groups of individuals who worked to change America for the better, such as Young Americans for Freedom and the American Conservative Union. Little known organizations like the Federalist Society, which have had an immense impact on our nation’s legal system and courts.

While Regnery (who is also publisher of the American Spectator) is wise not to adopt a confrontational style, his in-depth history should leave American conservatives optimistic about our future. Without attacking the nominal conservatives who wish to claim the mantle of Goldwater and Reagan for their own devices, Regnery makes one thing crystal clear: American conservatism is about IDEAS. Unlike our opponents who focus on expedience, we cannot lose in the long haul. Our political fortunes may flood and ebb like the tides. We may be temporarily out of favor with portions of the electorate. Our ideals for America are sound. Our ideas provide a roadmap. With the right leadership America will once again be a heading down the right side of the political highway.

Upstream: The Ascendance of American Conservatism

Regnery, Alfred S.

2008: Threshold Editions (Simon & Schuster)

365 pp.

ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-2288-1

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