Best books recommended by David Frum

Best books recommended by David Frum

American author and political writer David Frum is most famous for his work as a speechwriter during the Presidency of George W. Bush. Coining the phrase “axis of evil,” Drum deeply impacted U.S. foreign policy in the twentieth century and continues to promote a conservative ideology through his books, podcasts, and news commentary. Frum has also penned fiction, including the novel Patriots.

Here you’ll find the best books recommended by David Frum and an introduction to his life and work.

Who is David Frum?

David Frum was born in Toronto in 1960. His father was a dentist, and his mother was a well-known New York-born broadcaster and journalist. Originally from Poland, the family eventually emigrated to Canada. At the age of fourteen, Frum joined the campaign team of the Ontario New Democratic Party, an experience that turned him away from leftist politics for life.

After graduating from the University of Toronto Schools in 1978, he went to Yale, where he studied history before earning a law degree from Harvard in 1987.

He returned to Canada to embark on a journalism career, first as an associate editor of Saturday Night and then as a regular contributor to publications such as The Wall Street Journal and Forbes Magazine. During the mid to late 1990s, Frum was a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, publishing articles in Canada’s National Post and in The Weekly Standard.

In 1994, David Frum published his first book Dead Right, a title followed by multiple political bestsellers.

His continued interest in politics led him to join efforts to reform the Progressive Party of Canada. Since the 1980s, Frum has been active in Republican politics, which led to his appointment as George W. Bush’s speechwriter and special assistant in 2000.

While at the White House, Frum was a staunch supporter of Israel. His influence on President George W. Bush during the Iraq War was significant. In 2002, he left the White House and went on to join the American Enterprise Institute, a neo-conservative think tank. He set up the political blog anewmajority.com, which later merged with The Daily Beast.

Today, he is a staff writer at The Atlantic and a Daily Beast and CNN contributor.

David Frum’s book recommendations

Not only is David Frum an avid reader, but he also regularly posts book reviews and recommendations. Here are ten books the American author praises.

Gulag – A History by Anne Applebaum

Frum recommended this book in a tweet. The book covers Russian history from the revolution and Stalinist era to the rise of Glasnost. Combining witness memoirs and writings, Applebaum charts the history of the brutal camps from the tsar era to their abolition during Gorbachov’s Glasnost.

A landmark work, the book uncovers and gathers unseen insights to explain the violent murder of millions.

The Malevolent Republic – A Short History of New India by K.S. Komireddi

Frum said on Twitter that everyone who cares “about modern India should read it.” The book delivers sharp insight into Indian politics.

Charting India’s history, this book is a blazing critique of a nation on the verge of collapse. One by one, Komereddi analyses the role of governments and parties in creating Hindu nationalism that doesn’t tolerate minorities. Unless secularists reclaim India, the future is bleak, the author argues.

How We Fight for Our Lives – A Memoir by Saeed Jones

Frum tweeted in praise of this book that delves into race, power, and sex.

Poet Saeed Jones’ memoir unveils the fate of a young black gay boy trying to make his way in life while navigating relationships and maintaining family bonds. Such is the quality of the writing; it places the author among our time’s greatest writers.

Secret City – The Hidden History of Gay Washington by James Kirchick

The author charts how homosexuality has shaped American politics using classified documents, witness accounts, and archived information. The book contains shocking revelations of witch-hunts, namely the account which explains how a “homosexual ring” controlling Ronald Reagan almost scuppered his 1980 election victory.

Frum praised the book in relation to that story.

Fights of Our Lives – Elections, Leadership, and the Making of Canada by John Duffy

Following the author’s passing, Frum lauded this book on Canadian politics on Twitter. The book delivers 150 years of Canadian history webbed among extraordinary elections and leadership contests.

One by one, Duffy provides insight into every election campaign, listing all the protagonists and revealing poignant facts. This book is contemporary history at its best.

It Was a Long Time Ago, and It Never Happened Anyway -Russia and the Communist Party by David Satter

David Satter’s book examines Russian history and the nation’s unwillingness to deal with and learn from the past. Russia still lives under its own shadow, the author argues, as he explores a nation’s spiritual and moral woes.

A former Moscow correspondent, Satter delivers a new interpretation of Russia’s history and its role in subjecting the individual to the nation’s more significant objectives.

The Other Path – The Invisible Revolution in the Third World by Hernando De Soto

Frum praised this book for its spectacular insight into third-world economics. The author uses Peruvian society to analyze how third-world nations exist. In essence, they have a small ruling elite and an impoverished majority.

The book’s central premise is finding a way to empower poor people away from drug trading and terrorism toward economic independence.

The State of Humanity by Julian L. Simon

Julian L. Simon’s analysis of the state of the planet and its inhabitants earned high praise from Frum. The book combines the analysis provided by fifty different scholars on topics such as deforestation, poverty, water pollution, the ozone layer, homelessness, mortality, and murder. Each contributor assesses the present while predicting the future well-being of people and the planet.

A Monetary History of the United States 1867-1960 by Milton Friedman, Anna Jacobson Schwartz

This book is a comprehensive analysis of American economics spanning almost 100 years and covering two World Wars.

Using masses of archived documents, Friedman and Schwartz deliver a precise analysis while highlighting the impact of economic policy on the everyday lives of Americans.

Tracers in the Dark- The Global Hunt for the Crime Lords of Cryptocurrency by Andy Greenberg

“An important new book” Frum called Andy Greenberg’s work on crypto crime.

Veteran cybersecurity reporter Andy Greenberg has penned a page-turner set in the crypto world. His access to federal law enforcement and its major players has allowed Greenberg to craft a fictional account involving criminals and cops you likely find in the real world. Not only is the story gripping, but it also provides insight into real-life cybercrime.

Books written by David Frum

Amazon and Goodreads feature the best David Frum books. Here is a list of all his books.

Dead Right (1995)

In this part manifesto, part reportage, Frum analyses the failures of the Republican party in the aftermath of the Reagan era. With frankness and wit, the author outlines all the Republican’s failings, urging the party to return to fighting “Big government.” to copper fasten its survival.

Dead Right is a must-read for conservatives and their detractors.

What’s Right: The New Conservatism and What It Means for Canada (1996)

A mix of essays, editorials, and lectures, the book provides an in-depth outline of Frum’s views on a plethora of subjects. Topics include same-sex marriage, healthcare, and fundamentalism, tackled with the author’s infamous sharp wit. For Conservatives, the author analyzes the past and present of the movement while mapping out the road ahead.

What’s Right: The New Conservative Majority and the Remaking of America (1997)

What’s Right is Frum’s view on conservative morality and politics against the backdrop of the last 50 years of politics. The author makes a case for the Republican party to reject populism, nationalism, and protectionism, urging a return to core values; U.S. world leadership and smaller government.

How We Got Here: the 70s The Decade that Brought You Modern Life (for Better or Worse) (2000)

Frum argues that during the 1970s, Americans turned their backs on traditional values and embraced guilt, narcissism, self-interest, and superstition. Fads like astrology, armchair psychology, consumer debt, and the rise of religious cults have brought about this transformation, one the author detests.

The Right Man: The Surprise Presidency of George W. Bush (2003)

Describing his tenure as the former president’s speechwriter and advisor, Frum delivers a fascinating account of early millennium history. The book contains first-hand accounts of events at the White House and portraits of power players such as Condoleezza Rice and Karl Rove. Above all, the book proposes that George W. Bush turned an insignificant presidency into one of history’s most dominant tenures.

An End to Evil: How to Win the War on Terror (2004)

Written in the aftermath of 9/11, the book charts Frum’s vision of defeating global terrorism. David Frum and co-author Richard Perle explain U.S. foreign policy and analyze positions held by other nations while also setting out the road to successfully defeating all terrorist threats.

Comeback: Conservatism That Can Win Again (2007)

In this book, the author laments that the Republicans have lost touch with the American people, predicting a loss in the next election. Frum was one of the first Republicans to warn of a slide in support. The provocative book caused a stir in Conservative circles and continues to stir debate.

Trumpocracy: The Corruption of the American Republic (2018)

With rave book reviews, the New York Times bestseller lifts the lid on the Donald Trump administration. Frum confessed to voting for Hilary in this book, and his deep dislike of the former president dominates the narrative.

Trumpocalypse: Restoring American Democracy (2020)

In his post-Trump book, David Frum maps America’s recovery from the Trump era and the damage left behind. Trump supporters, the author argues, have foisted Trumpocalypse on the nation and must now find a way to return it to its pre-Trump glory. Providing guidance for recovery, Frum sounds notes of hope while insisting the negative fallout from the Trump era runs deep.

Read David Frum’s work on populism

The Rise of Populism: The Munk Debates pitches Donald Trump’s former advisor Stephen K. Bannon against David Frum. The resulting exchange is a fascinating discourse on populism and its rise within Western societies.

Other notable David Frum titles include; Reagan’s Disciple, Why Romney Lost (And What the GOP Can Do About It), World War Trump, and his novel Patriots.

Dive into politics with Speechify Audiobooks

On Speechify Audiobooks, you can find an extensive selection of political books, including David Frum’s bestsellers.

Check out the Frum hits Trumpocracy or Trumpocalypse. For a different political standpoint, take a look at Barack Obama: The 60 Minutes Interviews by Steve Kroft or Peter Schweizer’s Profiles in Corruption.

For a fictionalized political book, dive into Chris Hauty’s page-turner Deep State.

Even if you get tired of political books, Speechify offers thousands of audiobooks across various genres, from romance to thrillers. Sign up for Speechify Audiobooks and enjoy the first premium audiobook for free.

FAQ

What makes David Frum’s recommendations of books so worthwhile?

David Frum’s reading tips are valuable for anyone interested in politics because of his credentials and experience. Moreover, as a ferocious reader, he only recommends must-read books.

What does David Frum think about modern conservatism?

David Frum sees himself as a passionate conservative with a small c. He is a staunch Trump opponent and remains critical of the GOP, stating time and time again that the Republican party has backed itself into a corner.

His proposals include anti-immigration measures, policy changes, the introduction of national healthcare, and a carbon tax on products, including on Chinese and Indian imports.

Is David Frum married?

In 1988, Frum married writer Danielle Crittenden, stepdaughter of Peter Worthington, former editor of the Toronto Sun.

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.

Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify

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