The Betrayal of the American Right

The Betrayal of the American Right traces the transformation of conservative politics in America from the 1920s through the Cold War era. Murray Rothbard chronicles how the original Old Right movement, with its anti-war and anti-state principles, gave way to a more interventionist New Right. Written in the early 1970s but published in 2007, this historical account examines the shift in right-wing ideology from opposing establishment power to embracing it. The book includes Rothbard's personal observations and experiences during this pivotal period of American political evolution. The narrative follows key figures and publications that shaped conservative thought, documenting how Cold War pressures and changing domestic priorities altered the movement's fundamental positions. It examines the transition from the Old Right's libertarian skepticism of government power to the New Right's support for an expansive state role in both domestic and foreign affairs. The book presents an important perspective on how political movements can evolve away from their founding principles, raising questions about the nature of power and the relationship between ideology and practical politics.

Readers describe this as a historical account of how the American right wing shifted from an anti-war, anti-state position to a more interventionist stance. Many note it provides context for the transformation of conservative politics in the mid-20th century. Readers appreciated: - First-hand perspective from someone who witnessed the changes - Detail on forgotten figures in the Old Right movement - Clear explanation of the split between traditionalist and neoconservative factions Common criticisms: - Too focused on Rothbard's personal experiences - Can be repetitive in places - Some readers found the tone bitter or accusatory Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (171 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (46 ratings) Several readers noted it works best as a companion to other histories of American conservatism rather than a standalone text. One reviewer called it "more memoir than objective history," while another praised its "insider view of a pivotal transformation in American political thought."

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🔷 Murray Rothbard wrote this book in the 1970s, but it wasn't published until 2007, nearly 12 years after his death 🔷 The "Old Right" movement described in the book included prominent figures like H.L. Mencken, Albert Jay Nock, and Senator Robert Taft 🔷 The transformation of the American Right coincided with the rise of William F. Buckley Jr. and National Review magazine in the 1950s 🔷 Rothbard is considered one of the founders of modern libertarianism and helped establish the Cato Institute, though he later split from the organization 🔷 The book's publication was made possible through the efforts of the Ludwig von Mises Institute, which preserved Rothbard's original manuscript