Overview

Russell Kirk is widely regarded as the individual most responsible for the revival of conservative thought in the latter half of the twentieth century. Kirk's conservative philosophy was well-established with his magnum opus, The Conservative Mind, published in 1953, and remained constant until his death in 1994. His Christianity, though, grew from something seen as the foundation of Western Civilization to being also a personal faith. He became a Roman Catholic, drawn by its universality, its traditionalism, and his love for the woman he married. Although he believed in certain Catholic distinctives, such as purgatory, he generally seemed to be more of a generic Christian than a dogmatic follower of Rome.

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9781441195692

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Reviews

Pafford captures the essence of Russell Kirk in this excellent book. Pafford clearly explains Kirk's conservative ideas, and how they have shaped American thought since 1953. This biography is a wonderful contribution to the discussion of Kirk and his ideas. Burton Folsom, Jr., Professor of History, Hillsdale College, author, New Deal or Raw Deal? Russell Kirk was one of those rare individuals whose humility belied his well-deserved fame. At the first moment I met him more than 30 years ago, and on the many subsequent occasions when I was privileged to visit and talk with him until his death in 1994, I felt I was in the presence of greatness. Now, reading John Pafford's splendid biography of him, I have had the joy of experiencing that sense once again. What a treasure for the world Kirk was, and a fitting tribute to him Dr. Pafford's book will quickly be seen to be! Lawrence W. Reed, President, Foundation for Economic Education, Irvington, NY John M. Pafford has crafted a most worthwhile introduction to the life and accomplishment of Russell Kirk. During our current time of troubles, Kirk's wisdom-contained in three dozen books that span several disciplines, in fiction and in nonfiction-is needed greatly; and Dr. Pafford has done a fine job of presenting the reader with the essence of Kirk's significance for today. * James E. Person Jr., author of Russell Kirk: A Critical Biography of a Conservative Mind * I really enjoyed reading John Pafford's book and found it very interesting, accessible and informative. It covered everything in a nutshell about Russell! It's a great summary (and defense) of his life and thought. His nuancing of Russell's ideas was excellent and I especially liked what he wrote about Russell's religious beliefs and growth. --Annette Y. Kirk, President, Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal

The volumes in this timely series comprise the most comprehensive body of material on conservative and libertarian thought yet published in a single project devoted to the subject. The series will prove an indispensable tool not only for those concerned with the history of political thought but also for those who confront the challenging task of constructing a viable contemporary conservative identity. Professor Meadowcroft had a difficult editorial task, to which he has responded with a judicious choice of thinkers and topics. Noel O'Sullivan, Professor of Political Philosophy, the University of Hull, UK.

""Pafford captures the essence of Russell Kirk in this excellent book. Pafford clearly explains Kirk's conservative ideas, and how they have shaped American thought since 1953.   This biography is a wonderful contribution to the discussion of Kirk and his ideas."" Burton Folsom, Jr., Professor of History, Hillsdale College, author, New Deal or Raw Deal? ""Russell Kirk was one of those rare individuals whose humility belied his well-deserved fame. At the first moment I met him more than 30 years ago, and on the many subsequent occasions when I was privileged to visit and talk with him until his death in 1994, I felt I was in the presence of greatness. Now, reading John Pafford's splendid biography of him, I have had the joy of experiencing that sense once again. What a treasure for the world Kirk was, and a fitting tribute to him Dr. Pafford's book will quickly be seen to be!""Lawrence W. Reed, President, Foundation for Economic Education, Irvington, NY John M. Pafford has crafted a most worthwhile introduction to the life and accomplishment of Russell Kirk. During our current time of troubles, Kirk's wisdom—contained in three dozen books that span several disciplines, in fiction and in nonfiction—is needed greatly; and Dr. Pafford has done a fine job of presenting the reader with the essence of Kirk's significance for today. * James E. Person Jr., author of Russell Kirk: A Critical Biography of a Conservative Mind * ""I really enjoyed reading John Pafford's book and found it very interesting, accessible and informative.  It covered everything in a nutshell about Russell!  It's a great summary (and defense) of his life and thought.  His nuancing of Russell's ideas was excellent and I especially liked what he wrote about Russell's religious beliefs and growth."" --Annette Y. Kirk,  President,  Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal

Author Information

John M. Pafford, a protégé of Russell Kirk, is an ordained Biblical Anglican clergyman and has been a professor of history at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan since 1976. In 1995, Dr. Pafford received the Northwood University Award for Faculty Excellence. Earlier, he taught at Highland College, Pasadena, California; the University of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland; Fairfax Christian School, Fairfax, Virginia; and Perkiomen School, Pennsburg, Pennsylvania. Dr. Pafford has served as chairman of the Michigan Republican Issues Committee, chairman of the Michigan Conservative Union, co-chairman of Michigan Scholars for Reagan-Bush, Michigan vice chairman of the Forbes presidential campaign, and is a member of the Board of Scholars of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Back in the 1960s, he was chairman of Young Americans for Freedom in two states.He is an experienced radio and television commentator and is the author of numerous articles on history, theology, and contemporary events. Dr Meadowcroft is Lecturer in Public Policy at King's College London and the author of The Ethics of the Market (Palgrave, 2005) and co-author of Rescuing Social Capital from Social Democracy (Institute of Economic Affairs, 2007).

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