This book is a lively intellectual history of a small circle of thinkers, especially, but not solely, Harry Jaffa and Walter Berns, who challenged the "mainstream" liberal consensus of political science and history about how the American Founding should be understood. Along the way they changed the course of the conservative movement and had a significant impact on shaping contemporary political debates from constitutional interpretation, civil rights, to the corruption of government today. Most importantly, these thinkers explain the deep reasons for patriotism—why we should love America not just because it is our country, but because it is a free and just country.

Originally published: Beagle Books, 2011. British edition published with the title Fatal destiny: Edith Cavell, World War I nurse.

This book is a lively intellectual history of a small circle of thinkers, especially, but not solely, Harry Jaffa and Walter Berns, who challenged the "mainstream" liberal consensus of political science and history about how the American Founding should be understood. Along the way they changed the course of the conservative movement and had a significant impact on shaping contemporary political debates from constitutional interpretation, civil rights, to the corruption of government today. Most importantly, these thinkers explain the deep reasons for patriotism, why we should love America not simply because it is our country, but because it is a free and just country.

A rediscovery of patriotism as a virtue in line with the core values of democracy in an extremist age The concept of patriotism has fallen on hard times. What was once a value that united Americans has become so politicized by both the left and the right that it threatens to rip apart the social fabric. On the right, patriotism has become synonymous with nationalism and an “us versus them” worldview, while on the left it is seen as an impediment to acknowledging important ethnic, religious, or racial identities and a threat to cosmopolitan globalism. Steven B. Smith reclaims patriotism from these extremist positions and advocates for a patriotism that is broad enough to balance loyalty to country against other loyalties. Describing how it is a matter of both the head and the heart, Smith shows how patriotism can bring the country together around the highest ideals of equality and is a central and ennobling disposition that democratic societies cannot afford to do without.

Edith Louisa Cavell (1865–1915) was a British nurse, humanitarian and spy famous for saving the lives of soldiers from both sides during the First World War. She also aided 200 Allied soldiers escape from behind German lines, for which she was arrested and sentenced to death by firing squad. Cavell's execution was globally condemned and featured extensively in the press. Before her death, she famously said, “Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone", which has been inscribed on a memorial to her near Trafalgar Square. Part of our “Who Was She?” series that looks at remarkable woman from throughout history, “Who was Edith Cavell?” contains a fantastic collection of essays by various authors celebrating the heroic endeavours of this brave nurse, exploring how she was able to pull off such incredible feats and what it was that inspired her truly compassionate acts. Brilliant Women - Read & Co. is proud to be publishing this brand new collection of classic essays for a new generation of students and history lovers.