Edmund Burke

A Genius Reconsidered

By: Russell Kirk

Narrated by: Jeff Riggenbach

Russell Kirk has ingeniously combined into a living whole the private Burke and the public Burke. He gives us a fresh assessment of Burke, a statesman enjoying even greater influence today than in his own time.

He lucidly unfolds Burke's philosophy, showing how it revealed itself in concrete historical situations in the 18th century and how Burke, through his philosophy, "speaks to our age".

This volume makes vivid the four great struggles in the life of Burke: his work for conciliation with the American colonies; his involvement in cutting down the domestic power of George III; his prosecution of Warren Hastings, the Governor-General of India; and his resistance to Jacobinism, the French Revolution's "armed doctrine."

In each of these great phases of his public life, Burke fought with passionate eloquence and relentless logic for justice and for the proper balance of order and freedom. With sure instinct born of his sympathy and understanding, Russell Kirk gives us the incisive quotation, the illuminating highlight, the moving, all-too-human elements that bring Burke and his times to vivid life.

©1967 by Russell Kirk (P)1994 by Blackstone Audiobooks

Burke was right

I thought this offered a great explanation of Burke and his philosophy. I find that having discovered Burke for myself, I am a Burkean.

Excellent presentation of insightful subject

Learned much about a very influential figure. Narration is at the top on any list of performances.

Narration too Fast for Me

Edmund Burke is indeed a genius, and Kirk gives us an excellent book about him. It is part biography, part analysis of Burke's ideas and significance. If you want an extremely detailed biography or analysis, this book is not the place to go. But if you want Burke in a nutshell (200+ pages), this is ideal. My only complaint: the narrator reads too fast. If you are following along with the text of the book, this may not be a problem. But if you are just listening, you don't have time to digest what the reader just said because he's already racing on to the next sentence. A more moderate tempo is really needed...

A Great Biography by a Great Man

Russell Kirk captures the true essence of who Edmund Burke was. Jeff Riggenbauch’s narration was perfect, his pace kept it interesting while it never seemed rushed. Edmund Burke is a hero of mine, I have read or listened too a number of biographies about him, some were more complete but none were better.

Remarkable intellectual

Despite praise in title of my review, looks like Mr. Burke was slightly shortsighted. But this is only my opinion. Highly recommend

a great starter on Burk

it is a great short book for an introduction to Edmund Birk's life. loved it, leaned much from it.

A principled conservative

Refreshing short biography of the parent of modern conservatism. A principled, respectable rational man who understood his present (late 1700s )and predicted future outcomes (most notable the carnage of the French Revolution). Sadly so-called conservatives in America today (early 21st century) are more like the radicals of the French Revolution than they are the principled Edmond Burke. Russell Kirks telling of Edmond Burke story is compelling, Burke’s approach to politics and power is as relevant today as ever.

Oldie but goodie

The recording quality leaves a little bit to be desired but free is free. A+

Burke

Fascinating history of this one of a kind early thinkers and statesmen who still teaches us today

Interesting Burke Lore

I can assure listeners that even those who have read much of Burkes work will be enlightened by the varied anecdotes of his life and political times in this biography. While it is brief, there are, here, invaluable insights into the character and mind of Burke as well as the society and circumstances he was shaped by. The book also serves as a historiographical survey of Burkes bibliography. My one complaint is the final, or perhaps the (penultimate?) chapter. The beginning of the narration skips like an old, scratched, Vinyl. Buffering.