The Right

A "superb" and "ambitious" (New York Times) intellectual and political history of the last century of American conservatism When most people think of modern conservatism, they think of Ronald Reagan. Yet this narrow view leaves many to question: How did Donald Trump win the presidency? And what is the future of the Republican Party? In The Right, Matthew Continetti gives a sweeping account of movement conservatism's evolution, from the Progressive Era through the present. He tells the story of how conservatism began as networks of intellectuals, developing and institutionalizing a vision that grew over time, only to see their creation buckle under new pressures from national populist movements. Drawing out the tensions between the desire for mainstream acceptance and the pull of extremism, Continetti argues that the more one studies conservatism's past, the more one becomes convinced of its future. Updated with a new epilogue, The Right is essential reading for anyone looking to understand American conservatism.

"A superb work of scholarship and a delight to read. Conservatives will relish the anecdotes, the explanations of half-remembered books; liberals will learn something about their adversaries....invaluable clarity."--Wall Street Journal, Best Politics Books of 2022, "The Right is readable and relatable, well-written and engaging. The author's command of facts is impressive."--The Guardian, "[A] sturdy account of the many divisions within modern conservatism... Rational, well thought out, and impeccably argued--of interest to all students of politics."--Kirkus, Starred, "[Continetti] skillfully leads us through the pulsing, fractious, improbable story of American conservatism all the way to today's fractured Republican party..."--Mosaic, "A brilliant synthesis of political and intellectual history, and it captures several themes essential in this moment."--Yuval Levin, director of social, cultural, and constitutional studies at the American Enterprise Institute

Matthew Continetti is a senior fellow and the Patrick and Charlene Neal Chair in American Prosperity at the American Enterprise Institute. He is also the founding editor of the Washington Free Beacon and a columnist for Commentary magazine. The author of The Persecution of Sarah Palin and?The K Street Gang, he lives in Virginia.