William Kristol
William Kristol, editor of The Weekly Standard, chooses six of his favorite books.
Exodus: The Traditional Hebrew Text With the New JPS Translation edited by Nahum M. Sarna (Jewish Publication Society, $65). My favorite book of the Bible (if one is allowed to make such a choice), perhaps because it is the most political. A deep study of the relationship between human liberation and gratitude, and between political freedom and duty.
Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville (University of Chicago Press, $35). Written more than 150 years ago, this remains, in my judgment, the best book on America. We can now read it in a new edition edited by Harvey Mansfield and Delba Winthrop, who provide a superb introduction and a fine and careful translation.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Gathering Storm: The Second World War (Volume 1) by Winston Churchill (Mariner Books, $18). In this first volume of his six-volume memoir of World War II, the century’s greatest politician, Winston Churchill, explains how W.W. II happened, and why it didn’t have to happen. It’s the best guide I know to the perplexities of international politics.
Thoughts on Machiavelli by Leo Strauss (University of Chicago Press, $19). The most beautiful book, in my judgment, of the century’s greatest philosopher. Leo Strauss provides a guide to the thoughts of his great teacher and rival, Niccolo Machiavelli, and therewith to his own thoughts.
Neo-Conservatism: The Autobiography of an Idea by Irving Kristol (Ivan R. Dee Inc., $19). An indispensable key to thinking about recent—and current—American politics. The godfather of neo-conservatism, Irving Kristol teaches us how to begin to understand our contemporary political situation, the crisis of liberalism, and the limitations of conservatism.
Trust Me on This by Donald Westlake (Mysterious Press, $5). An uproarious novel about mysterious goings-on at a supermarket tabloid. While you’re at it, read the sequel, Baby Would I Lie?, and then the rest of Westlake.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Bryan Burrough's 6 favorite books about Old West gunfighters
Feature The Texas-raised author recommends works by T.J. Stiles, John Boessenecker, and more
-
Tash Aw's 6 favorite books about forbidden love
Feature The Malaysian novelist recommends works by James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and more
-
Richard Bausch's 6 favorite books that are worth rereading
Feature The award-winning author recommends works by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and more
-
Marya E. Gates' 6 favorite books about women filmmakers
Feature The film writer recommends works by Julie Dash, Sofia Coppola, and more
-
Laurence Leamer's 6 favorite books that took courage to write
Feature The author recommends works by George Orwell, Truman Capote and more
-
Amor Towles' 6 favorite books from the 1950s
Feature The author recommends works by Vladimir Nabokov, Jack Kerouac, and more
-
Susan Page's 6 favorite books about historical figures who stood up to authority
Feature The USA Today's Washington bureau chief recommends works by Catherine Clinton, Alexei Navalny, and more
-
Ione Skye's 6 favorite books about love and loss
Feature The actress recommends works by James Baldwin, Nora Ephron, and more