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Crunchy Cons: How Birkenstocked Burkeans, gun-loving organic gardeners, evangelical free-range farmers, hip homeschooling mamas, right-wing nature lovers, ... America (or at least the Republican Party)
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Crunchy Cons: How Birkenstocked Burkeans, gun-loving organic gardeners, evangelical free-range farmers, hip homeschooling mamas, right-wing nature lovers, ... America (or at least the Republican Party) |
Author: Rod Dreher
Published: 2006-02-21 |
List price: $24.00
Our price: $5.74
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As of: August 07th, 2008 07:38:23 PM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 Humorous and thought provoking
Humorous and thought provoking. Not just a political, current events book and not just another jab in the liberal vs. conservative sparring match. Content is not limited to what the media proffers. Delves into areas not commonly discussed in conservative circles yet will likely strike a chord and awaken a dormant sensibility about life as a whole. Includes very timely topics for those concerned about the safety of our food supply, a need for greater conservation efforts as stewards of God's creation, as well as discussions on consumerism, home, education, and religion. Provides affirmation to those who quietly lead their lives trying to apply time-tested, biblical principles to all areas of life, against the stream of popular culture. Encourages us to be involved in our government processes, while not mistaking the government as a god and savior. Exhorts us to look inwardly and realign our own personal lives first, to focus on the "Permanent Things" with an underlying conviction that "...the institution most essential to conserve is the family."
I may not agree whole-heartedly with everything Mr. Dreher says, but I have read this book twice now. (Can't say that about a lot books). He gives direction to a hope that the chasm between conservatives and liberals need not continue to be so vast and filled with vitriol. There is some common ground. We need to seek it and begin to mingle with those who never see real true conservatives or real Christians and only possess the stereotypical "dangerous" or cartoon images incessantly portrayed by the media. By ignoring some of the issues "highjacked" and repackaged by liberals, we are ignoring a part of our soul that has been created in God's image, which in turn prevents us from experiencing joy and the abundant life.
Read this book and prepare to be challenged, enlightened, and empowered to define and live a better, more meaningful life.
 Putting "conserve" in "conservative"
Rod Dreher's "Crunchy Cons" is a fascinating exploration of the world of conservative environmentalists. The environmental movement tends to be dominated by Democrats, such as former Vice President Al Gore with his "Inconvenient Truth" and the Democratic Congress passing its energy bill. There are "emergent" evangelicals who believe that "creation care",along with poverty and AIDS, are issues more deserving of attention than abortion and same-sex marriage.
Dreher's "Crunchy Cons",on the other hand, looks at conservatives who see care for the environment as part of their obedience to God in terms of the family and the nation. He interviews the Eastern Orthodox Frederica Mathewes-Green and the Catholic Donna Steichen,who see homeschooling as a countercultural effort to care for the home environment-and the Earth in general. Rod Dreher, who was a reporter for the Dallas Morning News, looks at environmentalism through the lens of faith: Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, evangelical. He meets up with conservative Catholics who love the Earth, the Latin Mass, and Lord of the Rings.
It's a fun, accessible book. There are sappy parts such as "I care for the Earth because I love to hug my children",but all in all, it's a fascinating exploration of a world the media tends to ignore. For those who think only New Agers love the Earth while evangelicals rail against global warming as a demonic fabrication, this book is enlightening. It's a journey into a whole new world. Not all who wander are lost.
Very good for starting and sustaining discussions.
I recommend this book, but particularly recommend it as a basis of a discussion with friends, or in a book club or even with a spouse. It is a book that aims to change your life, and probably will. I think it will be seen as a kicking off point for a new aspect of our society. Crunchy cons have been around for a while, they now have a name and a bit more "legitimacy" from this book, which tell conservatives that it's OK to like Brie (or Chevre) and organic food.
The book is often thought-provoking and sometimes just provoking. In it similar to any of a hundred self-help books, and to many Christian books: those which say, in effect, "Put down the remote, turn off the TV, read a book or take a walk (pray..toss a ball..talk about sex/drugs...)with the kids." The difference, I think, is the cultural nexus. I'm thinking back to my youth when NOBODY jogged unless they were training for something. In my small town in Colorado this one guy would jog in preparation for a marathon or something. When he went by, we kids would run outside to watch him. Then along comes Dr. Cooper with "Aerobics" (others might credit Jim Fixx) and everybody thinks jogging is a good thing. Or take Euell Gibbons or Adelle Davis who (one or the other) created the health food "industry." Neither group Fixx/Cooper or Gibbons/Davis was primarily interested in legislation, but there have been legislation. Labeling on cans comes from the Gibbons/Davis influence, as jogging paths and other health related issues come from the Fixx/Cooper influence. I think CC is that sort of book, one that might influence the way that people think even if not a carefully reasoned (or even thought out) discourse on the "good life." It obviously has hit a nerve.
Good, but not Great (3 stars)
There must be something afresh in the waters of conservativism. I became a Christian about 12 years ago and immediately hopped into the "Christian Right". After a period of studying I became "disenfranchised" with many of my views and those of my friends. I slowly started to return to a more "grassroots" conservativism. A conservativism that actually sought to conserve, enjoy, and cherish local traditions, including foods, architecture, nature, and farming. I found myself at Wild Oats and Whole Foods and conversing with the "enemy" - "those tree hugging, dirty hippies". Before long, I realized I was not alone. There were many conservatives that didn't think economic expansion and big business was the only way to be conservative or Republican. For those of us who found ourselves in that boat, then this is our book. A manifesto of sorts. Actually, this book is more of a collection of stories of men and women that became "crunchy cons", people that found themselves valuing the "free-market" and many things oft association with Republicans or conservatives, but also many things assumed to be left wing - the environment, local farming, organic farming, etc.
So, for those individuals that find themselves out of the current stream and spirit of the Republican Party, although they value some of the things most often associated with it, then this is a very good book to read. A book that you can give to your liberal friends, assuming you haven't isolated yourself, and you can find MANY points of agreement. For the left, it is also a good book to read, because it breaks down many walls and barriers from conversation and might enable both sides to see that they have a lot to agree upon. For example, the book points out how government laws hurt the small farmer. Both the right and left can agree that this is bad, although they may do it for different reasons. However you look at it you cannot agree that this is the "free market" at work, because corporations and the state are preventing entry to the market. My favorite chapters deal with architecture, farming/food, and religion (despite major differences). He writes in a winsome, appealing fashion that enables almost anyone to enjoy and breeze through the book.
The draw back of the book is that it could probably be cut in half. The stories of the various crunchy cons start off interesting, but become repetitious. You get the point of each chapter about halfway through the pages and much of the supporting material is not necessary. In fact, you can read his "10 Points" and then read the opening and close of each chapter to get a good flavor for what "crunchy conservativism" is. More than buying the book I hope that many buy into the ideas of this book and begin to implement some of the practical things found herein, because it would make our local communities a more valuable and sustainable places.
Reflects my values
Rod Dreher has the exact same values as I do. I have the exact same feelings as he does, both because I am socially conservative like he is, and because I care about the environment and everybody's health like he does. Although I am a socially conservative Christian, I care about the environment, and until recently, I wondered if I was the only socially conservative Christian who cares about the environment and living a simple lifestyle (apart from the Old Order Mennonites and the Amish). No, I am not an Old Order Mennonite or an Amish! I am very pleased to have discovered that there are other socially conservative people (besides myself, or the Old Order Mennonites or the Amish) who care more about the environment and everybody's health than about big business, materialism, etc.!!!
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