The Right Side of History: How Reason and Moral Purpose Made the West Great

Contact Your Elected Officials

#1 New York Times Bestseller.

Human beings have never had it better than we have it now in the West. So why are we on the verge of throwing it all away?

In 2016, New York Times bestselling author Ben Shapiro spoke at the University of Californiaโ€“Berkeley. Hundreds of police officers were required to protect his speech. What was so frightening about Shapiro? He came to argue that Western civilization is in the midst of a crisis of purpose and ideas; that we have let grievances replace our sense of community and political expediency limit our individual rights; that we are teaching our kids that their emotions matter more than rational debate; and that the only meaning in life is arbitrary and subjective.

As a society, we are forgetting that almost everything great that has ever happened in history happened because of people who believed in both Judeo-Christian values and in the Greek-born power of reason. In The Right Side of History, Shapiro sprints through more than 3,500 years, dozens of philosophers, and the thicket of modern politics to show how our freedoms are built upon the twin notions that every human being is made in Godโ€™s image and that human beings were created with reason capable of exploring Godโ€™s world.

We can thank these values for the birth of science, the dream of progress, human rights, prosperity, peace, and artistic beauty. Jerusalem and Athens built America, ended slavery, defeated the Nazis and the Communists, lifted billions from poverty, and gave billions more spiritual purpose. Jerusalem and Athens built America, ended slavery, defeated the Nazis and the Communists, lifted billions from poverty, and gave billions more spiritual purpose.

Yet we are in the process of abandoning Judeo-Christian values and Greek natural law, watching our civilization collapse into age-old tribalism, individualistic hedonism, and moral subjectivism. We believe we can satisfy ourselves with intersectionality, scientific materialism, progressive politics, authoritarian governance, or nationalistic solidarity.

We canโ€™t.

The West is special, and in The Right Side of History, Ben Shapiro bravely explains how we have lost sight of the moral purpose that drives each of us to be better, the sacred duty to work together for the greater good.


Editorial Reviews

Review

โ€œAs an ideological refresher on what the West got right, Shapiroโ€™s book gets the job done.โ€ (The Washington Post)

Shapiro cavorts through 3,000 years of intellectual history in the span of about 250 pages, offering a perspicuous, โ€œuser-friendlyโ€ dive into some of our civilizationโ€™s biggest ideas. (The Washington Examiner)

โ€œBen Shapiro knows the power of his voice. He stands up and fights for what he believes with time-tested ideas. The Right Side of History is thoughtful and well-reasoned – exactly what Shapiroโ€™s critics donโ€™t want you to hear.โ€ (Nikki Haley, former premanent representative of the U.S. Mission of the United Nations)

From the Back Cover

Human beings have never had it better than we have it now in the West. So why are we on the verge of throwing it all away?

In 2016, the New York Times bestselling author Ben Shapiro spoke at the University of Californiaโ€“Berkeley. Hundreds of police officers were required to protect his speech. What was so frightening about Shapiro? He came to argue that Western civilization is in the midst of a crisis of purpose and ideas; that we have let grievances replace our sense of community, and political expediency limit our individual rights; that we are teaching our kids that their emotions matter more than rational debate; and that the only meaning in life is arbitrary and subjective.

As a society, we are forgetting that almost everything great that has ever happened in history happened because of people who believed in both Judeo-Christian values and in the Greek-born power of reason. In The Right Side of History, Shapiro sprints through more than 3,500 years, dozens of philosophers, and the thicket of modern politics to show how our freedoms are built upon the twin notions that every human being is made in Godโ€™s image and that human beings were created with reason that is capable of exploring Godโ€™s world.

We have these values to thank for the birth of science, the dream of progress, human rights, prosperity, peace, and artistic beauty. Jerusalem and Athens built America, ended slavery, defeated the Nazis and the Communists, lifted billions from poverty, and gave billions more spiritual purpose.

Yet we are in the process of abandoning Judeo-Christian values and Greek natural law, watching our civilization collapse into age-old tribalism, individualistic hedonism, and moral subjectivism. We believe we can satisfy ourselves with intersectionality, scientific materialism, progressive politics, authoritarian governance, or nationalistic solidarity.

We canโ€™t.

The West is special, and in The Right Side of History, Ben Shapiro bravely explains how we have lost sight of the moral purpose that drives each of us to be better and the sacred duty to work together for the greater good.

About Ben Shapiro

Ben Shapiro entered UCLA at the age of sixteen and graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, and graduated Harvard Law School cum laude. At seventeen, Shapiro was hired by Creators Syndicate, becoming the youngest nationally syndicated columnist in the United States. He has appeared on hundreds of television and radio shows and is the author of the national bestsellers Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America’s Youth, Porn Generation: How Social Liberalism Is Corrupting Our Future, and Project President: Bad Hair and Botox on the Road to the White House. Shapiro is married and lives in Los Angeles.

Book Knowledge
Book Knowledgehttps://www.thethinkingconservative.com/previews/books-magazines/
Book Knowledge shares books, magazines and other sources that help us grow in our knowledge of conservatism and help us make a difference in our country.

Hereโ€™s What the USโ€™ Security Guarantees For Ukraine Might Look Like

Western security guarantees for Ukraine are one of the main issues delaying a political resolution to the conflict. Russia launched its SMO primarily in response to NATO-emanating threats from Ukraine.

The Cost of Anger

I will not write much here. There are no words I can say. I only wish to remember those forgotten casualties, the unseen cost of the current antagonism in America.

Another Mass Trans Shooter Not to be Discussed

Robin (Robert) Westman was identified by police as the suspect behind a shooting at a Catholic school that left two children dead and 17 others injured.

AI Techno-Hell Roundup: The Birds and the Bees

In addition to total supplantation of human labor, AI is also doing a number on homo sapiensโ€™ psychological welfare โ€” seducing lonely techno-serfs.

Flagged for Burning

Trump ordered AG to enforce laws against flag desecration focusing on flag burning linked to violent crimes, property destruction or other illegal activities.

Child Who Shielded Friends During Minneapolis School Shooting Praised by Officials

Officials praised children at Annunciation Catholic School in MN who put themselves in harmโ€™s way to protect their friends during a mass shooting.

TransUnion Reports Data Breach Affecting 4 Million American Consumers

TransUnion LLC, Chicago-based credit-reporting firm, announced a data breach involving personal information of 4.4 million consumers throughout the US.

Trump Suggests Holding Republican National Convention in 2026

President Trump may call on the RNC to host a Convention midway through his presidential term, sometime before congressional elections in 2026.

US Economy Grew 3.3 Percent In Q2, Beating Prior Estimate

U.S. economy expanded at a 3.3% annualized pace in second quarter of 2025 with rate of growth exceeding earlier estimate and signaling economic strength.

Trump Says He Will Protect Social Security Amid Potential Congressional Cost-Cutting Proposals

Trump said his admin will protect Social Security and Medicaid, when asked which programs he would want to see cut in a congressional reconciliation bill.

Trump Admin Asks Military Base Near Chicago for Support on Immigration Operations

Naval Station Great Lakes was asked by DHS for โ€œlimited support in the form of facilities, infrastructure, and other logistical needs to support DHS operations.

DHS Proposes Revamp of Student and Exchange Visas, Citing Fraud and Abuse

The Dept of Homeland Security on Aug. 27 posted a draft version of proposed changes to temporary visas for overseas students and exchange visitors.

Trumpโ€™s 50 Percent Tariff on India Takes Effect

President Trumpโ€™s additional 25% tariff on India became effective at midnight on Aug. 27, bringing the total rate to 50% on many imports entering the US.
spot_img

Related Articles