Product Description

Woodrow Wilson and the Roots of Modern Liberalism highlights Wilson's sharp departure from the traditional principles of American government, most notably the Constitution. Ronald J. Pestritto persuasively argues that Wilson's unfailing criticism places him clearly in line with the Progressives' assault on the original principles of American constitutionalism. Drawing primarily from early writings and speeches that Wilson made during his years as a scholar, Pestritto examines the future president's clear and consistent ideologies that laid the foundation for later actions taken as a public leader.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #205 in Books
• Published on: 2005-01-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 296 pages

Customer Reviews

Unique interpretation
This only being the third book I've read on Woodrow Wilson's political thought, I was struck by its argument--Wilson subverted the ideas of the Founders by his progressivism and his progressive thought is consistent throughout his writings (cf. Thorsen). Arguing that Wilson significantly diverged from the political thought of the Founders, Pestritto is critical of Wilson and brings to bear upon his argument insightful context that had a substantial influence upon Wilson's intellect. Pestritto is convincing throughout and each of his chapters are clearly organized so that the reader easily follows. One thing I had a hard time buying was the weight he gave Hegel in Wilson's thought. Nevertheless, the book is deeply read in the primary literature and is conversant with the secondary. I found it helpful in writing a paper and looking for how to approach Wilson's writings, in terms of specific pieces and interpretation, and where to look for other sources.

More of What I Didn't Learn in History
This is a well-documented and eye-opening examination of a forgotten (suppressed?) period in presidential politics and American history.

Scholarly, but not pedantic, it peels the onion-layers off of Wilson's political ideology, exposes its Hegelian historicist roots, and cogently supports Jonah Goldberg's claim that "it has happened here." Fascism, that is.

Moreover, by demonstrating that Wilson's thorough-going racism, disdain for the constitution and the principles it was based on, were firmly anchored in (Hegelian) progressivism, it makes one wonder why anyone would willingly claim the title of "progressive" today.

Have a pen handy for underlining passages, find a comfortable chair, and enjoy the ride!

Wilson's philosophical foundation of thought.
While also reading one of the commonly acknowledged biographies of Wilson, I came across this book. The biography presents Wilson's social life in great and tedious detail, but says very very little about who he was and why he did what he did. Pestrito's book correct this defect. Wilson believed in the supremacy of The State above the individual. He was educated by Historicists who did not believed the Theory of Natural Rights as embodied in the Declaration and the Constitution. They latched on to Darwinism and corrupted it into a vision of perfection of mankind through perfection of the State. This book makes clear the roots of the philosophy but tells the story in clear and readily understandable terms. It is a page turner, not a sleep inducer. I would heartily recommend it for those interested in the intellectual history of the modern era.