[July 9, 2018] Like several previous posts on political leadership, this is part of an on-going series that focuses on new and controversial ideas. Today, I’m highlighting Victor Davis Hanson, military historian and senior fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. The one thing he has in common with the others written about here is his provocative ideas – often labeled politically conservative – that help us shape our thinking on controversial issues in a modern world.
Hanson has written a number of books on topics that address everything from Greek warfare to the state of California which, he believes, is becoming Mexico-light. His articles vary widely and are about topics of national concern; immigration, warfare, the FBI, the Iranian deal, and border politics. His recent articles provide us with good insight to how he thinks about our socio-political society. For example, The Left Can’t Come to Grips with Loss of Power, points to an ever violent Leftist ideology that is harmful to the United States and distorts the nation’s view around the globe.
“History has shown that a government’s redistribution of shrinking wealth, in preference to a private sector’s creation of new sources of it, can prove more destructive than even the most deadly enemy.” – Victor Davis Hanson
He unapologetically points out that the U.S. has made significant progress under President Trump and that this administration has done things no other dared attempt; bombing ISIS into submission, seeking to denuclearize North Korea, and moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. With the U.S. economy taking off with tax cuts, Hanson explains the Democrats and mass media’s meltdown over the gains made over the past two years. He does this with a laser focus on facts and logic and yet never writes a dull piece for his readers.
Victor Davis Hanson calls things like he sees them and is willing to provide a studied criticism of all angles of the political spectrum. Fortunately, he is more than typical hot air and provides us with much needed intellectually-based advice and backs it up with examples from history. He also gives us predictions if we fail to heed his advice. So far, his depth of knowledge of human behavior has been a blessing for those who want to hear another side of the argument.
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⦁ Heather MacDonald – https://www.theleadermaker.com/political-leadership-heather-macdonald/
⦁ Dinesh D’Sousa – https://www.theleadermaker.com/political-leadership-dinesh-dsousa/
⦁ Thomas Sowell – https://www.theleadermaker.com/political-leadership-thomas-sowell/
⦁ Charles Krauthammer – https://www.theleadermaker.com/political-leadership-charles-krauthammer/
⦁ David Horowitz – https://www.theleadermaker.com/political-leadership-david-horowitz/
⦁ Maajid Nawaz – https://www.theleadermaker.com/political-leadership-maajid-nawaz/
⦁ Ralph Peters – https://www.theleadermaker.com/political-leadership-ralph-peters/
VDH is a modern intellect that we should be listening to. He advocates tough solutions for rarely solvable problems. Listen! Act! I recommend you read his writings which are easily found on the Internet. Or, order some of his books.
Charles Krauthammer, who just passed away, unfortunately, is one of the greatest. Thanks also for highlighting his writings and bringing it to my attention. Every since your article (https://www.theleadermaker.com/political-leadership-charles-krauthammer/) I’ve been an avid reader of his.
Same here. I was greatly saddened by the death of Charles Krauthammer.
Good comment Albert. Yes, I too was saddened by the death of Charles Krauthammer. He was an inspiration to those willing to subject ourselves to thinking outside the society box.
Good one, Albert. Thanks.
Victor Davis Hanson and others you have in this leadership series make for some great reading and those that make me think. Keep up the great work by providing us with highlights pointing to them.
If we look across the English-speaking world, we find a number of people who provide some fantastic, current writings that are very much worth reading. Other languages are also good but the time it takes to translate and us to find out about it takes simply too long. More posts like this Gen. Satterfield are much appreciated.
Thank you Brig. Gen. Satterfield for a wonderful blog entry on a great man.
Another good article that points to the type of thinking that makes a society great. It’s these kinds of people (like in your series) that are part of advancing the human condition.
Oops. Here’s the link: https://www.theleadermaker.com/reading-list-update-strategy-power/
You did a good job of covering his book on WWII. For those who did not read it, please see the link. Great book and a must read. Unfortunately, historians like Hanson are few and far between. Most now have decided that their place is to be “social justice warriors” and trash the U.S., Europe, and the West. Hanson does a great job of putting them in their place.
Thanks Jonathan. Yes, I too read his book on WWII and loved it. You would not think more could be written on the subject that adds to our knowledge but he did it and did it well.
Cheers! I agree.
Excellent summary of the main effort by Victor D. Hanson. This is a person who can turn an argument on its ear and make anyone he is debating look infantile. That is why I like his work and relish to read it every chance I get. By the way, his books are also wonderful reads.
Thank you Gen. Satterfield for your good sense to show us this series and Mr. Victor Davis Hanson. This man has given us some thoughtful arguments on how certain parts of American society are out to destroy generations worth of history and turn upside-down all those things that made our country great. Their resistance to Pres. Trump tells us a lot about their lack of character (Hanson doesn’t call it that) and their mindless ruminations on the irrelevant.
Very good, thanks Kenny for making my day. The Millenials are at the forefront of this attempt to trash the U.S. and its Constitution. With luck, when they grow up intellectually, they will be ashamed of what they have done … although I doubt it.
I like your series on political leadership. The articles make me THINK and that is a tough job.
Thanks for your thoughtful summary of Mr. Hanson’s works.
Wow, another great article on political leadership. I think you might want to call it “intellectual leadership.” Just a thought because that is what it is.
Thank you for bringing Mr. Hanson to my attention. Like maybe a few of your readers, I had never heard of him before but then I went out and read a couple of his articles. He sure does make me think.
Good article today to highlight a sage thinker. He puts his words to the page so that readers like me can understand better those dangerous circumstances that our politicians like to hide from us.
Yes, I too am an avid reader of Victor Davis Hanson. Good intellect and I am a supporter of those who can make a logical argument and have good examples to support it.
Good comment Janna and thoughtful overall. I agree that VDH is an intellect that makes us really think about the important things.
😉
I’m a reader of Victor Davis Hanson because he lays out an intellectual argument and backs them up with facts from history. Much of what the media typically does is an attempt to play on our emotions, especially our “moral” standing in society. The “drive-by media” is more interested in being morally superior than reporting what is really going on. Mr. Hanson is a great read anytime you can find him writings.
Good comment, Max.
Yes, well written today Max. VDH is a person that I read regularly.
Good one! 😉
Thanks again for your insights, Max. Well done.
;-)) Thanks Max.
Just a quick note that your Daily Update section today on the “consequences of the decline of religion in America” has two articles that are tough on us that are religious. Thanks for pushing us to think!
Yes, a good one today.
More of us should be reading the “Daily Favorites.”