The great Catholic writer has died.
Novak is best known for making the moral case for a free-market economy and for being one of the original “neoconservatives” who crossed from left to right. His books include The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism, The Rise of the Unmeltable Ethnics, and (with his daughter Jana Novak) Tell Me Why.
Novak was a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute (where I am a fellow) for 32 years. Its president, Arthur Brooks, writes about Novak here. Novak was also a frequent contributor to National Review. I can attest from personal experience to his kindness and generosity toward younger writers.
May he rest in peace.