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Wednesday, October 17. 2007

The Inventor of Modern Conservatism

About Benjamin Disraeli, by Gelernter in the Weekly Standard (2005). A quote:

Like nearly all successful politicians, he was a fine actor and first-rate manipulator, accustomed to saying things he didn't necessarily (wholly) believe. Like nearly all brilliant men, he could be hard to read. Like all celebrated wits and superstar parliamentarians, he was a champion improviser, superb at making things up as he went along. For all these reasons, historians tend to forget his passionate sincerity on the topics he cared about most: Britain, the Jews, the Tories, the government of England. No man ever left behind so many pregnant thoughts for his followers, admirers, and professional interpreters to ignore.

Read the whole thing.

Posted by Bird Dog in Best Essays of the Year, History, Politics at 13:14 | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0)

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Haven't yet read the piece, but wanted to add that David Gelernter is a very excellent writer --and happens to've lost a hand to the Unabomber.
#1 buddy larsen on 2007-10-17 14:27 (Reply)
Read his book if you haven't.
#1.1 BD on 2007-10-17 14:29 (Reply)
I shall. To date have read many of his magazine pieces, and he's very impressive in idea and expression.
#1.1.1 buddy larsen on 2007-10-17 14:50 (Reply)

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