The Conservative Intellectual Movement in America, by George H. Nash, belongs on the bookshelf of anyone who wants to understand the idea of conservatism and the key figures in its postwar life. The gang’s all here: WFB, Kirk, Hayek, Friedman, Meyer, Kristol, etc. When I read it in college, the book was a revelation to me. Now it’s available in a brand-new 30th anniversary edition, from ISI Books. From a new preface:

Since the early 1990s, and especially since 2001, the conservative movement has entered a period of introspection and fractiousness not seen, in such acute form, since the early 1960s. Gladdened by political victories, yet disappointed by their fruits, many on the Right are seeking to reorient and even redefine the conservative mission in a post-Cold War, post-9/11 world. In such confusing circumstances, it is usually helpful to “remember who we are” or have come to be. As thoughtful conservatives feel impelled to reexamine their first principles, perhaps this study of modern American conservatism’s intellectual history will provide some edifying perspective.

And if you’ve ever puzzled over our geeky Corner jokes about immanentizing the eschation, buy a copy of the new edition and turn to pages 72 and 73.