Top 10 Books Liberals Would Like to Burn

May 23, 2006

In April, Human Events reported that Scott Savage, a librarian at Ohio State University at Mansfield, had been accused of “sexual harassment” after he suggested that incoming freshmen read four conservative books: "The Marketing of Evil" by David Kupelian, "The Professors" by David Horowitz, "Eurabia: The Euro-Arab Axis" by Bat Ye’or, and "It Takes a Family" by Sen. Rick Santorum (R.-Pa.). The faculty voted unanimously to file charges against Savage (the university later found Savage innocent).

This incident of leftist intolerance prompted the editors of Human Events to compile the following list of books we think liberals would most like to burn.

10. "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain

An American classic that has long been the subject of attacks by the politically correct. Banned from many libraries, and challenged in many more, for its use of the crude vernacular in dialogue.

9. "Treason" by Ann Coulter

A cold, hard look at liberals’ “patriotism” in which one of the right’s most articulate pudits re-examines the left’s history of “striking a position on the side of treason.” Offers a defense of the left’s favorite boogeyman, Sen. Joe McCarthy, and a reminder that it was the Democratic Party that excused communism.

8. "Slouching Towards Gomorrah" by Robert H. Bork

From the original victim of judicial “Borking.” Details the depths to which American culture has fallen and what it means. Hated for its reliance upon absolute truth, understanding of good and evil and recognition that modern liberalism is the root of America’s decline. Warns that “a nation’s moral life is the foundation of its culture.”

7. "Abortion and the Conscience of the Nation" by Ronald Reagan

The first book ever published by a President in office. Details Reagan’s view on the sanctity of life, why abortion is not a right, and why the Supreme Court was wrong in its Roe v. Wade decision, comparing it to the Dred Scott decision for its denying “the value of certain human lives.” Is an invaluable example of moral leadership.

6. "Losing Ground" by Charles Murray

Co-author of "The Bell Curve" blasts the social programs of the Great Society for their deleterious effects on America’s poor and minorities. Had a major influence in the fights for welfare reform in the mid-1990s.

5. "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis

Adapted from a 1943 series of radio lectures from a leading Oxford scholar during a time when society was faced with a global war, is considered one of the truly classic works in Christian apologetics. Provides a reasoned argument for the Christian religion, based on man’s free will and a God of justice, grace and mercy.

4. "Wealth and Poverty" by George Gilder

Self-described as “America’s number-one antifeminist,” Gilder offers an examination of why supply-side economics will best increase wealth and decrease poverty. Argues that the welfare state keeps the poor from achieving success by creating a welfare dependency and harms society by diminishing the role of fathers.

3. "The Road to Serfdom" by Friedrich von Hayek

Based on the idea that all “collectivist societies”—socialist, National Socialist, Communist, et al—have the same roots and lead to the same place: tyranny. Details how giving “central planning” authority to the government reduces economic freedom of individuals and results in disaster.

2. "Witness" by Whitaker Chambers

Autobiography of an ex-Communist who was the key player in the Chambers-Hiss case, known as the “trial of the century.” Tells how Chambers worked with then-Rep. Richard Nixon (R-Calif.) to expose Alger Hiss, a top State Department official who was also a member of the Communist Party and a Soviet spy. Confirmed by The Mitrokhin Archive. Left has never forgiven Chambers for taking down Hiss.

1. Bible by God

The central work of Western Civilization, defines the relationship between God and man and is the foundation of faith in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Liberal groups, like the American Civil Liberties Union and People for the American Way, have sued to keep it out of government buildings, schools and public discourse.