Book Review

We Shape Our Words, Then They Shape Us: The Role of Metaphor in US Foreign Policy

A new book explores the dynamic relationship between presidential rhetoric on foreign policy and the goals America seeks to accomplish abroad

Reformed Protestantism: The Progenitor of Modern Political Thought

Paul DeHart’s new book, “Contract in the Ruins: Natural Law and Government by Consent,” argues that what we today call “liberalism” cannot be understood in isolation from natural law and the Protestant Reformation

A New “Realist” Look at Religion

Samuel Perry’s new book “Religion for Realists” challenges American Christians to consider the intrinsically tribal elements of religion

The Sisyphean Struggle of Cyber Conflict

Ben Buchanan’s “The Hacker and the State” (2020) is an instructive introduction to cyberwarfare, yet his characterization of cyber tactics as ineffective at signaling a nation’s intent and resolve is unpersuasive

The Innocence of Pilate, the Guilt of Humanity

Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate,” but how much blame does the Roman governor of Judea really deserve?

“Conclave,” While Ham-Fisted, Inspires Some Thoughtful Reflections on Catholicism

Though Conclave is lazy and pandering, the book version does include an interesting examination of the intrinsic tensions within the Roman Catholic Church as embodying both temporal politics and spiritual guidance

Robert Kagan’s “Antiliberalism” Gives Christianity All the Blame and None of the Credit for American Exceptionalism

Robert Kagan’s new book mistakenly argues that everything bad in America comes from religion and everything good from the Enlightenment

Victor Davis Hanson’s Guide to Avoiding Civilizational Annihilation

Victor Davis Hanson’s latest book is an instructional tour through the wreckage of destroyed civilizations, providing warnings America should heed to avoid a similar fate

What the Right Can Learn from a Left-Wing Critique of “Wokeness”

Fredrik deBoer’s new book is written from a far-left perspective, but conservatives can still learn from its critique of “wokeness”