HOW THE RIGHT LOST ITS MIND is written by the former conservative talk-radio show host, Charles J. Sykes, and focuses on the "painful ... dissolution of the conservative coalition, but also the betrayal of conservative principles ..." Beginning by contrasting some illuminating quotes from William Buckley, Tomi Lahren and Sarah Palin, Sykes then explores ideas about the impact of success and power, about the growth of bigotry and xenophobia, about the hypocrisy of talking (while not modelling) character and virtue. He includes chapters or sections on the alt reality media ("Many journalists do not recognize their bias any more than a fish recognizes that it is wet."), alternative facts, post-truth politics, and the Trumpian takeover. Labelling himself a "contrarian conservative," Sykes offers "some modest advice for fellow conservatives" on the final pages of a thought-provoking book. Kirkus called this text "a courageous book" and Library Journal gave HOW THE RIGHT LOST ITS MIND a starred review.

Note: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I found this to be a fascinating book. I wasn't previously familiar with the author, and have never called myself a conservative. I've also been horrified by the vitriol evidenced in the current political climate, and flummoxed by support for Trump by those who you think would know better.

What this book has done is provided more information and context for the changes in the American political climate over the years, the threats of creeping authoritarianism, and more of an underlying philosophy and rationale of conservatism. It speaks to the "need for that careful balancing of their opposition to both elitist autocracy and populist demagoguery".

Highly recommended, to conservatives, liberals, moderates, and anyone with any interest at all in the current American political climate.

The title may be a bit misleading, to some. Charles Sykes is unabashedly conservative, and an ardent supporter of right-wing causes. Where he splits with Trumpers is in his disdain for post-literate outrage media and the proliferation of fake news and "alternative facts."

Those who may be flabbergasted by the direction of the Republican party since 2016 will find an ally in Sykes, who makes critiques of liberals' and conservatives' conduct and political etiquette alike without stooping to name-calling and ad hominem attacks. Citing an alarming upward trend in made-up facts and blatant lies spread by talking heads and internet commentators on the right, Sykes places the blame at the feet of an expanding entertainment media that prioritizes ratings and feelings over facts, and the conservative intellectuals and politicians who decided that the ends justified these means. This created a vicious cycle of untruths, where trying to stem the flow invites criticism and derision from other "journalists" who are willing to say whatever the crowds want to hear. Essentially, hardline conservative commentators were hoisted by their own petard in their quest for anger-filled ideological purity; if they tried to take a more truthful or moderated view, they were castigated.

"How the Right Lost Its Mind" is a rallying call for conservatives disenchanted with post-truth Trumpism, and an impassioned plea of a man without a country, abandoned by his former colleagues and finding little to no common ground with those on the left. It is also for liberals who may also find themselves isolated in an ideological echo chamber and who will welcome a reasonable review of the past year from a new viewpoint.

More liberal readers may criticize Sykes' glossing-over of racism that has been present, to one degree or another, in the conservative movement. While he looks back longingly on the days of National Review repudiating antisemitism, he fails to acknowledge that at that same time, they were opposing the Civil Rights movement. In his defense, he does express surprise and distress at discovering that a virulent strain of nationalism had been hiding under a rock, unknown to him and his social circles.

This book is highly recommended, both for conservatives trying to find their party's way back home, and for liberals who will appreciate looking at a familiar subject through a new lens. It ends on a hopeful note, encouraging the readers to pursue the truth and stand for what they believe in, even if they stand alone. Readers exhausted by the toxic, hyperpartisan climate will be refreshed remembering that it is possible to disagree with someone politically on the government's role in public and private life without resorting to anti-Christ and Hitler comparisons.

Will common sense return? The media this that and the other faux pas. I enjoyed this book, as far as making you think about the current conservative climate. But, what are the answers to the true conservative right.

It is difficult to argue with the metamorphosis of the current conservative ideology in the United States. Sykes does an excellent job exploring the influence of the alt right media and how winning became more important than upholding one's belief system. This book was difficult to read because it illustrates how social media and our current climate is cultivating an exponential growth in extremism. Can conservatives right the ship? Will there be movement back towards a more traditional conservative agenda? Is this really the endgame conservatives have been striving for all along? Or are we, as a nation, so off the rails already that the current climate is just the tip of the iceberg, and both sides will continue to push to their extremes to undermine the other side? I honestly cannot answer with 100% certainty any of these questions, but hopefully we will see a rise in civil discourse and information seeking in the future that will help restore some sanity, as well as common sense in the political system.