The Woven Figure: Conservatism and America's Fabric

In this gathering of some 150 of his syndicated columns written during the past four years, conservative political commentator Will presents himself as a self-appointed arbiter of moral breakdown and cultural malaise, and takes a firm, principled stand on salient issues. He favors welfare reform and the abolition of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and he opposes abortion, ""racial gerrymandering,"" Afrocentrism and political correctness on campus. With curmudgeonly zeal, he attacks multiculturalism, bilingual ballots, egalitarian plans for the redistribution of wealth, campaign finance reform, tobacco smoking and the proliferation of gambling. Will is disturbed by the self-proclaimed victimization status of ethnic, racial and sexual groups and by an ""entitlement mentality"" that, he argues, fosters dependence on government largesse. He forcefully ties this critique to a conservative vision rooted in limited government, individualism, industriousness and a less-regulated free-market economy. He includes an opinionated portrait gallery of Benjamin Netanyahu, Strom Thurmond, Clinton, Jefferson, Lenin, Gladstone, Al Capone,and Vance Packard. Even when one disagrees with his views, this tonic collection demonstrates why Will is a national resource. Author tour. (Nov.)