An impressive burst of creativity gave rise to a vigorous conservative intellectual movement in the United States after the Second World War. Yet, according to Club Member Claes Ryn, author of a new book on the subject, the great potential of the movement was not realized because of major flaws. The movement became preoccupied with politics to the neglect of academia, history, philosophy, religion, morality, the arts, and entertainment. In the 1980s when Ronald Reagan won major political victories the movement celebrated “the triumph” of conservatism, but this reaction confirmed a superficial understanding of what most fundamentally shapes society.  Mixing new and previously published writing, Claes’ book bristles with provocative ideas. It sets forth its own strongly argued view of how to understand and address the situation.