Return of the Strong Gods

Nationalism, Populism, and the Future of the West

By: R.R. Reno

Narrated by: Rick Adamson

After the staggering slaughter of back-to-back world wars, the West embraced the ideal of the "open society". The promise: By liberating ourselves from the old attachments to nation, clan, and religion that had fueled centuries of violence, we could build a prosperous world without borders, freed from dogmas and managed by experts.

But the populism and nationalism that are upending politics in America and Europe are a sign that after three generations, the postwar consensus is breaking down. With compelling insight, R. R. Reno argues that we are witnessing the return of the "strong gods" - the powerful loyalties that bind men to their homeland and to one another.

Reacting to the calamitous first half of the 20th century, our political, cultural, and financial elites promoted open borders, open markets, and open minds. But this never-ending project of openness has hardened into a set of anti-dogmatic dogmas that destroy the social solidarity rooted in family, faith, and nation. While they worry about the return of fascism, our societies are dissolving.

©2019 R. R. Reno (P)2020 Tantor

Great listen.

Clearly highlights the biggest forces at play shaping our world. Lots of people who can't comprehend them feel insecure from them

Demands your full attention

This is not a book to listen to while you’re driving, making dinner, etc. It demands the listener be fully present, and savor what they are hearing. It’s challenging, and in that I think it is worthwhile.

It was a book that made me think, and has made me want to get the hardcopy, so I can read it and annotate as I go. As I stop and think about it now, it made me wonder where the “Golden Mean of America” is today. People who are not at either of the poles that seem to divide us so much today. It is as if neither side can see anything good in points raised by the other.

And that is not something we can sustain.

I wonder what the answer to the question of What it is we love about our country? would be for each of us, And if each of us has even bothered to ask that question.

This book makes me believe that we should, and work to preserve what it is we love about our nation, and what it is we need to do to improve where we feel we fall short.

Mandatory reading for disenchanted souls

Written for those who see the world seemingly falling apart around them and are wondering, "how did we get here?" A well documented dive into the history of modern liberalism, the rejection of beauty, order, and tradition, and replacing them with ever greater openness, diversity, and fluidity, where and how it went wrong, and what we can expect in the future.

Strong critical review with weak conclusion

The author does a fine job reviewing and making accessible his select intellectual history of the postwar “open” mind movement. This is the book’s strength. When Reno pivots to his prescriptive response he leaves his scholarly self behind and depends on unsubstantiated and unpersuasive biases. The book is well worth reading for it’s critical review which will lead readers like me to conclude. Contrary to Reno, that openness is desirable for the advanced civilization we all hope America will become.

A Second Reading, For The Win

The first time I read this, I was Libertarian and half of what he said didnt even register. Now, going back through, I think this book is more relevant than ever. The resistance to any masculine urge or principle os what defines our age, and I pray it comes to an end.

The truth is told

Clear and concise history and analysis… increased understanding and hope for the future. enjoyed this book immensely

Essential for saving the west

This book shows how individualism of the modern era erases the beauty from this world. In my opinion it should be mandatory in political science degrees in universitys.

Mandatory reading

A refreshing take on the current political structure and how America/civilization got to where it is.

One of the most insightful books I’ve ever read

As a student of the 20th century and the fall of western civilization, as well as someone trying to make sense of the divisiveness of the 21st century, I have read many books on the subject. Most of them, both liberal and conservative, have points that are useful and interesting, but it always felt like pieces of the puzzle were missing. This is the first book I have read that weaves the most threads together for a fuller picture of “how we got here.” This isn’t light reading. This book is heavy on philosophy and economic theory. I can certainly see both liberals and conservatives objecting to aspects of this book. I like that the author steps on everyone’s toes, and seems to strive for an objective view. For that very reason, I would recommend this book to individuals of all political and philosophical persuasions.

Impressive Historical -Philosophical Analysis

Unique angle on the background of the progressive open society vs. traditional closed society since 1945. Well-documented ideas on the influence of several social commentators and philosophers who have helped make the United States into what it is today.