BEFORE THE STORM : BARRY GOLDWATER AND THE UNMAKING OF THE AMERICAN CONSENSUS - RICK PERLSTEIN

"Before the Storm: Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus" by Rick Perlstein is a meticulously researched and compellingly written exploration of the rise of conservatism in 20th-century America through the lens of Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign in 1964.

Perlstein traces the political and cultural forces that led to Goldwater's emergence as the Republican Party's nominee for president, as well as the broader conservative movement that coalesced around his candidacy. He examines the social upheaval of the 1960s, including the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and the countercultural revolution, and explores how these events shaped the political landscape and fueled conservative backlash.

Through vivid storytelling and insightful analysis, Perlstein paints a vivid portrait of Goldwater as a charismatic and uncompromising figure who challenged the liberal consensus of the post-war era and galvanized a new generation of conservative activists. He delves into the ideological debates within the Republican Party and the broader conservative movement, as well as the grassroots organizing efforts that propelled Goldwater to the forefront of American politics.

"Before the Storm" offers a nuanced and thought-provoking examination of a pivotal moment in American history, shedding light on the origins of modern conservatism and its enduring impact on American politics. Perlstein's book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the roots of contemporary political divisions and the evolution of conservative ideology in the United States.