Book Review: Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto

When I received the advanced, uncorrected proof of Liberty and Tyranny in the mail, I have to admit I was a little giddy. As a talk radio producer, I try to stay away from other talk programs as much as possible to help keep mine as fresh and original as I can. That being said, I am unashamed to admit I listen to Mark Levin. After the massive success of his previous books, New York Times bestsellers Men in Black and Rescuing Sprite, expectations were high for Levin’s third treatment, Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto. Simply put, and without hyperbole, this book is the most concise and accessible argument for rational, intellectual conservatism in our time.

Mark Levin is something of an anomaly in the talk radio world. While his program spreads like wildfire from market to market, Levin doesn’t seem to bask in the adoration the way many hosts do. Instead, he leads an intensely private life while quietly churning out quality talk radio day after day. His forays into literature are similar in some ways, as he engages in limited promotion, but enjoy immense success.

The books first chapter, aptly titled “On Liberty and Tyranny”, lays the groundwork by defining the two primary players in today’s political spectrum; the Conservative, and the Statist. The Statist (and various sub groups such as the neo-statist, enviro-statist, etc) vs. Conservative theme plays out throughout the book, and is used to illustrate divergent strains of political thought.

After laying a solid philosophical groundwork, Levin dives into the topics of the day including; The Free Market, The Welfare State, Environmentalism, and Immigration. In each chapter, Levin states his case by using relentlessly researched examples from current events; in addition to drawing from voluminous historical sources.

The final pages of the book are dedicated to Levin’s Conservative Manifesto. Whereas the proceeding chapters had laid out the logical argument for Conservatism, the Manifesto acts as the logical conclusion.

By eschewing esoteric language usually associated with political philosophy, Levin assures that his treatise is as appropriate for someone searching for their political identity as it is for a seasoned political veteran. Levin’s goal from the books outset does not seem to be to explain what we believe, but rather to explain why we believe and in this he succeeds spectacularly. Levin weaves fact, history, and philosophy, into a thoroughly enjoyable package.

In addition to lifting the Conservative argument, Liberty and Tyranny succeeds in tearing down the leftist ideology to its core. It reveals that on a philosophical level, the Statism peddled by the modern leftist is nothing more than a house of cards.

Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto should be considered a primer for those who are new to politics, and a wakeup call to those jaded souls who might have forgotten the source of their convictions. Whatever your level of knowledge, rest assured that Levin’s book will inspire you and arm you with a solid foundation for your beliefs.

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