A history of the Old Right wing of 20th-century American conservatism, covering its stand on key foreign and domestic issues that emerged in the post-Cold War era. Joseph Scotchie treats the main figures of the Old Right and defines their conflict with the traditional left-wing mainstream.
THE STUDENT RADICALS AND NEW LEFTISTS of the 1960s and 1970s are now the ruling elite of the U.S. They naturally celebrate themselves as the heroes of that period of history. But neither then nor now are they representatives of the great majority of the American people. They were affluent brats who knew nothing of ordinary middle-and working-class Americans. Joseph Scotchie's memoir recreates the normal world that most of us grew up in during that period, as he did in Asheville, North Carolina, and in periods with grandparents in Dayton, Ohio. He also makes clear how many of us came to reject to the wreckage the New Leftists inflicted on the Christian morality and patriotism of a normal healthy society. And thus became "paleoconservatives."Joseph Scotchie's previous books include Writing on the Southern Front: Authentic Conservatism for Our Time; The Paleoconservatives; Thomas Wolfe Revisited; Barbarians in the Saddle: An Intellectual Biography of Richard M. Weaver; Revolution in the Heartland: The Struggle for an Authentic Conservatism; Street Corner Conservatism: Patrick J. Buchanan and His Times; A Paleoconservative Anthology; A Gallery of Ashevillians; The Vision of Richard Weaver.
Exploring the conservative literary response to the cultural shifts of the 1980s, the book highlights Southern writers who championed themes of populism, immigration, and cultural integrity amidst the rise of multiculturalism and political correctness. Joseph Scotchie examines a diverse range of authors across various genres, celebrating their passionate contributions and resilience in the culture wars. This work underscores the enduring relevance of these voices and their impact on contemporary discussions surrounding conservatism.