The Top 10 Books of 2008

Hello readers, just like last year about this time, I’ve decided to give you a top 10 list of the books I read this year. Remember, these books didn’t necessarily release in 2008, but I read them this year. Also recall from last year the criteria by which I judge the books: the book’s scholarship, entertainment value, cultural significance, and modern relevance. Both fiction and non-fiction books are on the list, and they are not separated. So, with that, here are the ten best books I read in 2008..

First, following are some honorable mentions. The Book of Fate, by Brad Metzler, The Whole Truth by David Baldacci, and The Appeal by John Grisham all are novels worth reading in your leisure, but not one is one of the best ten I read this year. Now, onto the list.

10. Comeback: Conservatism That Can Win Again by David Frum

I read this one this summer, reading the first half on a flight to D.C. and the other half on the flight back. The book in an example of my my favorite sub-genre of non-fiction: political strategy. David Frum, a successful strategist and Washington insider, lays out his opinion on how the GOP can regain dominance. For those, like me, who enjoy policy, policy-marketing, and strategy, Frum’s Comeback is an enjoyable read.

Albeit, all of that comes with a caveat. The subtitle of the book, “Conservatism That Can Win Again” is misleading at best. For while I enjoy reading his strategic plans, I couldn’t disagree with Frum more. Part of his prescription in repackaging conservatism is to embrace more government interference in the health care system, man-made global warming, and a carbon tax. That’s right: A self-identified conservative has the idea of not just raising a tax, but creating one.

If conservatism isn’t about cutting taxes, what is it about? Thus, while Frum is wrong a lot, it’s still an enjoyable, important book in the dialogue of the future of conservatism.

9. The Shack by William Young

This little novel actually made it to #1 on the New York Times Best-Sellers List. Its author, William Young, wrote the book originally as a gift to his children. The book’s inspirational message, though, resonated through many of America’s readers. Within the Christian church, the novel served as a lightning rod, igniting theological debates of all sorts.

The book’s premise features its protagonist, Mac, losing his 5-year-old daughter to a kidnapper who murders her. Mac visits the shack where his little girl was killed after an odd, apparently supernatural occurrence leads him to do so.

There, at the shack, he meets with, well, God–God manifested as an elderly, plump, black woman, an Arab carpenter (Jesus), and a floaty, indescribable being representing the Holy Spirit. Mac and God work out Mac’s problems with bitterness, forgiveness, closure, anger, and despair over a 3-day weekend.

Beyond being a supernatural tale with twists and heart-wrenching revelations, the book makes important statements on the very nature of God and his relationship to man. It’s an important read for anyone.

8. The Last Patriot by Brad Thor

What The Da Vinci Code did to Christianity, The Last Patriot does to Islam. And what both do is take small seeds of truth and extrapolate them into absolute falsehood, easily disproved by the most perfunctory historic research and analysis. This book was significant on several levels.

First, The Last Patriot matches Dan Brown’s fictional heresy evenly for pace and general entertainment value. If you just want a page-turner that keeps you interested in your spare time, this book is superior to just about any movie or TV show. It truly is a genuinely entertaining read that brings into question the very foundations of Muslim doctrine.

But Thor’s latest spy novel has much more value than mere entertainment. Readers will also learn some useful history on the conflict between American culture and radical Islam. Especially in the context of recent pirating, Thor’s inclusion of our venture with the Barbary pirates is both useful and informative. Americans should read this book for some context in the War on Terror.

Finally, the reaction to this book portrays to us some unfortunate truths about our culture, specifically in direct comparison to the culture’s reaction to The Da Vinci Code.

For example, if you use demonstrably false portrayals of history to question the validity and bedrock of Christianity, you get celebrated, glamorized, and a spot as #1 best-seller. Conversely, if you do the exact same to Islam, you are ignored, marginalized, and I saw plenty of “bigot” insults hurled at Thor.

Moreover, we found that if you bring into question Christian doctrine, Christians respond by compiling and publishing well-documented books and booklets with itemized and cited historic sources to support their claims. Many in the Islamic world, however, when faced with the same affront, literally threatened violence. Thor’s life has been threatened and one group of radical Islamists have reportedly issued a fatwah on him.

The Last Patriot is a treasure of lessons and entertainment. I encourage you to give it a read.

7. The Summer of 1787 by David O. Stewart

I have a full, academic review of this invaluable and weighty tome here.

I encourage you to read both that review and the book itself. If you’re a Constitution-lover like myself, you’ll be enamored with this thorough and comprehensive tale of those four months and 58 men that produced the document still governing the longest-running experiment in self-governance the world has ever seen: The United States Constitution.

6. What in the World is Going on? 10 Prophetic Clues You Cannot Afford to Ignor by David Jeremiah

David Jeremiah is actually one of the country’s most popular pastors, and a pastor I trust almost implicitly. In his latest book, he shares with readers ten world events or happenings-in-progress that he believes portend a soon completion of some Biblical prophecies.

From the world’s oil supply, to Islamic terrorism, to Israel’s place in the last days, to Europe’s growing aggressive globalism, to other topics, Jeremiah takes us on a compelling, evidence-filled journey through the Bible prophecy being fulfilled. For Christians, it’s an exciting–though sobering–look at the state of affairs in the kingdoms of man.

To my fellow Christians, get a copy of this book and read it to arm yourself with information on the relevance of the Bible in world events.

5. Real Change by Newt Gingrich
This book could have very easily been #1 on my list. No one currently living articulates the conservative ideology better than Newt Gingrich, and he put that skill to work in Real Change. Gingrich acknowledged that Republican rule didn’t work. But also predicts and reviews why Democrat rule did not and will not work. The answer is both sides now seem to have one prescription for every ailment: more government.

In a deft, intellectual argument, Gingrich reiterates to the American people–who once in almost complete unison recognized this truth–that government fails at everything it tries. I have not heard the argument against government interference in our lives and the argument for personal responsibility this clearly and compellingly stated in a long time.

Gingrich addresses a broad scope of topics in the book, identifying the problem (typically government), and prescribing logical, specific, policy solutions.

Newt Gingrich–or as I like to call him, the next President of the United States–gave conservatism a much needed gift and boost with this book. I implore my fellow conservatives to read it, embrace its messages, and articulate them to the American people.

4. Liberal Fascism by Jonah Goldberg

Some books deserve the more formal title, “tome.” And this brilliant work by Jonah Goldberg is one of them. Goldberg’s most recent tome is a comprehensive compilation of copious research, footnoted meticulously with almost incontrovertible arguments.

The most fun part of this tome is reading liberal reactions to it. If you want to witness intellectually bankrupt liberals run themselves in circles, foam at the mouth, utter untenable, panicked responses, and generally go crazy, read the liberal reviews of this tome. Goldberg put liberalism on the proverbial ropes with an acerbic indictment of its ideas and the consequences thereof. Liberal Fascism is witty and most importantly, supported with an amount of research I have heretofore not witnessed in political writing.

By reading the book, you will find the correlations between modern secular-progressive liberalism and fascism of last century. The connections are clear, the arguments unassailable. Liberals, I sincerely beg you to read it and answer the charges therein.

3. Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer (Along with Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse)

I know. I know. Amongst all the intellectual and spiritual books on the list, we have a seemingly teeny-bopper phenomenon. But let me assure you, reader, I have never witnessed a more compelling love story in my life. I read all four books in less than 3 weeks. Further, the love story is coupled with action and suspense that rivals such modern literary giants as Robert Ludlum.

Whatever negative commentary you’ve heard about the movie, or even the book, don’t believe it. I promise you: if you’ll read this series, you will not regret it. This best-selling Twilight Series, albeit, is much more significant than its unique, powerful love story and almost unmatchable entertainment value.

Consider that this book series, admittedly marketed to teens and tweens, features no sex, no alcohol, no serious cursing, no drugs, and no gratuitous violence. And get this… KIDS STILL READ THEM! Sure, I believe this series is now a classic in modern, young adult literature. But the series portends something on an even larger scale: that kids can be entertained by a classic love story, even without the secular non-values they are drenched in on a regular basis.

One final word on this powerful series: please read them. You will enjoy them, surely, but you may just discover something new about that which makes the world go round: love.

2. Extreme Measures by Vince Flynn
Vince Flynn’s 2007 installment of his “Mitch Rapp Series,” Protect and Defend, was #1 on last year’s list. And Flynn’s 2008 offering in the same series did not disappoint. I sincerely believe if ever brought to film properly, this super spy Flynn has created would intrigue and enthrall more folks than James Bond and Jason Bourne combined.

Flynn never fails to publish a prescient and valuable book relevant to the War on Terror. As I’ve written before, what Tom Clancy did for Americans in the Cold War, Flynn is doing for the War on Terror. Although, Flynn is doing it with even more skill and literary prowess.

In this particular novel, Flynn conveys to readers in an entertaining and suspenseful way how government inappropriately and needlessly often impedes progress in defeating our enemies and winning the War on Terror. I tell most of the folks I meet that reading Vince Flynn is one of the most important activities in which I believe an engaged American can take part. You will better understand the defining conflict of our time, and do so while being masterfully entertained.

And the #1 book of 2008 is…….

1. Why We Whisper: Restoring Our Right to Say It’s Wrong by Jim Demint and Dr. David Woodward

Few times in my life has a book come along that after reading it I knew something fundamental about my personal, spiritual, or public life had been revolutionized. Why We Whisper was one of those books. Several times while reading it, I could feel my spirit and resolve redoubling and re-energizing.

Not since Barry Goldwater’s timeless classic, Conscience of a Conservative, have I felt my firm convictions in traditionalism and conservatism so validated. I believe that in retrospect, in the ebb and flow of the history of the conservative movement, Why We Whisper will eventually find itself celebrated as an essential, integral read to intellectually-fulfilled conservatism.

One of the central battles in our culture wars is the fundamental question of the value of the traditional understanding of morality. Senator Demint makes absolutely clear how vitally crucial it is to the very survival of our culture for traditionalism to re-emerge in the hearts and minds of Americans. Of course, I speak now in generalities but the book delves into such specific topics of homosexuality, pre-marital sex, having children outside of marriage, and other issues.

Moreover, Demint being the economic academic he is, connects cultural and moral ailments to cost-benefit analyses and economic woes and establishes without room for rebuttal that the fiscal and moral issues facing our civilization now are not partitioned or insulated one from the others. Rather, the two sections of policy are institutionally interdependent forces of nature, in need of nurture and care.

It is my desire that everyone read this book and reap the intellectual, moral, personal, and cultural harvest of the immense research, thought, and compassion Senator Jim Demint and Dr. Woodward sewed.

Its message is both timely and timeless. Its value is broad and relevant. Americans and America need this book. And after reading it, we must embrace its central call to action: stop whispering and start working for the cause of freedom in this world.

Until next time, happy reading!