David French

David French is an American political commentator, attorney, and author known for his writings on law, politics, and religious liberty. As a former senior writer for National Review and current writer for The Atlantic and The New York Times, he has established himself as a prominent conservative-leaning voice who frequently challenges partisan orthodoxy. French served as a senior counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice and the Alliance Defending Freedom, where he specialized in religious liberty cases. His military service includes a deployment to Iraq in 2007 as a Squadron Judge Advocate for the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, earning a Bronze Star. His books include "Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation" and "The Rise of Christian Nationalism," which examine political polarization and religious identity in American society. French's commentary often focuses on the intersection of faith, law, and political culture, particularly addressing the challenges of maintaining democratic norms and religious freedom. French has gained additional prominence as a critic of both progressive overreach and right-wing populism, positioning himself as an advocate for classical liberalism and traditional conservative principles. His work regularly appears in major publications, and he co-founded The Dispatch, a media company focused on fact-based reporting and commentary.

Readers gravitate to French's work based on their existing political alignment. Those who share his views on religious liberty and political moderation praise his balanced analysis and criticism of extremism on both sides. Critics from the right label him a "grifter" and "RINO" (Republican In Name Only), while left-leaning readers question his religious framing of political issues. What readers liked: - Clear writing style and legal expertise - Willingness to challenge both conservative and progressive positions - Biblical references and faith-based reasoning What readers disliked: - Repetitive arguments across multiple books - Perceived both-sides equivocation on key issues - Religious focus alienating to secular readers Ratings: "Divided We Fall" (2020) - Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.3/5 (900+ ratings) "The Rise of Christian Nationalism" (2023) - Goodreads: 4.2/5 (300+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.1/5 (250+ ratings) Top critical review on Amazon: "French mistakes political disagreement for existential threat" (2 stars) Top positive review: "Important warning about tribalism in American politics" (5 stars)

Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation (2020) An examination of growing political polarization in the United States and potential scenarios for geographical partition along ideological lines.

The Rise of ISIS: A Threat We Can't Ignore (2014) A detailed analysis of the Islamic State's origins, ideology, and military capabilities during its territorial expansion.

Home and Away: A Story of Family in a Time of War (2011) A memoir chronicling French's deployment to Iraq as a JAG officer while maintaining connections with his family back home.

The Great American University: Its Rise to Preeminence, Its Indispensable National Role, Why It Must Be Protected (2010) An exploration of American higher education's development and current challenges to academic freedom and institutional independence.

A Season for Justice: Defending the Rights of the Christian Church, Family, and School (2002) A legal analysis of religious liberty cases and constitutional protections for faith-based institutions.

Rod Dreher writes about Christian faith and traditional values in modern America, focusing on cultural criticism and community-building. His work addresses similar themes of religious liberty and cultural engagement that appear in French's writing.

Ross Douthat analyzes American politics, religion and society from a conservative perspective for the New York Times. He explores the intersection of faith and public life while critiquing both left and right political movements.

Timothy Keller examines Christianity's role in urban and intellectual settings through theological and cultural commentary. His work combines biblical interpretation with responses to modern secular challenges.

Alan Jacobs writes about Christianity, technology, and intellectual life as a cultural critic and professor. He addresses how Christians can think critically about culture while maintaining their faith commitments.

Peter Wehner focuses on the relationship between evangelical Christianity and American politics. He writes about religious faith in public life and the challenges of maintaining Christian witness in polarized times.