Rediscovering Americanism, by Mark Levin

Mark Levin is one of the more thoughtful and intelligent voices of right-wing radio today.  He worked as a lawyer in the Reagan administration, and has published a number of books dealing with the founding principles of the United States.  His book Rediscovering Americanism: and the Tyranny of Progressivism challenges current American political thinkers (and non-thinking followers) to reject the siren song of progressive ideology.

Much of Levin's argumentation is based on the idea that "the principle of natural law permeated American thought from the beginning of our republic and well before."  Progressivism is bound up in the denial of natural law, but, Levin writes, "the abandonment of Natural Law is the adoption of tyranny in one form or another, because there is no human or benevolent alternative to natural law." 

Levin then digs into some of the roots of American progressivism.  Some of the names you will recognize, others will probably be new to you but wielded influence on the more well-known thinkers and leaders.  The progressive idea, according to Levin, boils down to the idea that "the American heritage and founding principles must be thrust aside if there is to be human progress."  This idea took hold in the early years of the 20th century and is enjoying a resurgence today (even if it never really went away). 

Levin argues convincingly against the "administrative-state tyranny" that progressivism yields and in favor of constitutional republicanism and property rights.  While his argumentation and sourcing are sound, his exposition is somewhat lacking.  I respect the reliance on the original sources, but at many points his lengthy quotes could have used some condensation and his own exposition could have been refined.  This was especially true listening to the audiobook, as the quotes and Levin's own contributions were hard to distinguish.  Similarly, in the Kindle version, there are no block quotes or variations in font, so while reading it's hard to distinguish between Levin and his sources.  I have not consulted a print version to see how it treats extended quotes.  This may all be a result of my own inattentiveness, I don't know, but I would have liked more distinction between the quoted part and Levin's text.

As I have noticed in Levin's other books, the bombastic, confrontational voice we hear on his radio show does not show up much in Rediscovering Americanism.  This is not quite an academic tome, but it is dense in its argumentation and source materials.  Wrestle through it and you will be rewarded with a better understanding of the intellectual foundations that underpin today's political controversies (whether or not today's politicians realize it).  You will also gain a deeper appreciation for Levin's radio show, as he shows the substance behind his on-air discussions.