I’ve been in academia long enough to remember the dark days of presidential rankings by groups like Political Science Quarterly and the New York Times. These “surveys,” particularly the one done by Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., made you want to … Continue reading
Mott Street, New York—Walking this iconic street that runs through the Little Italy section of New York City on a recent Sunday afternoon, I was struck by an array of images and ironies, some of them beautiful, others not so. … Continue reading
I was quite saddened late last evening to learn of the death of my friend Michael Reagan, the oldest son of Ronald Reagan. Mike was adopted by Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman (their first child was daughter Maureen) shortly after … Continue reading
I recently had a strange, sad experience while watching an old movie with the family. Most Saturday evenings, the Kengor abode delights in what we call “Family Movie & Snack Night.” The missus—my lovely Susan—lays out a cornucopia of exquisite … Continue reading
Last week in the auditorium of Grove City College’s Technological Learning Center, I joined a small group of students and outsiders who watched a film together in stunned silence. It’s a film they will never forget. The movie is about … Continue reading
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at The American Spectator. “The blood of the martyrs,” said Tertullian, “is the seed of the Church.” Charlie Kirk led a movement, a conservative movement, not a church. We all know … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. Growing up in Butler, Pennsylvania in the 1970s and 1980s, I surely at some point must have encountered a book titled Butler, but it would have been at the town … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. The world is watching every word and move of the new head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost. I say formerly because, as … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. I was recently sent a podcast conducted by two of my favorite thinkers: Bishop Robert Barron and Michael Knowles. It was a wide-ranging discussion of theology, philosophy, politics, culture, and film, prompted … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. I was saddened to learn of the unexpected death of Tony Dolan, who passed away at age 76. Tony was the chief speechwriter to President Ronald Reagan in a “speechwriting … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. Our 2024 Reagan film received widespread acclaim from moviegoers (albeit not from ideologically motivated critics) for the roles rendered by several key actors. They included Dennis Quaid as Reagan, David Henrie as young Reagan, Penelope Ann Miller as … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. The conservative movement this week lost an elder statesman, its dean. He was Lee Edwards, 92 years old. Edwards was so very important and dear to both the conservative movement … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. My cell phone buzzed Saturday evening as I left the “wine and spirits” store with a selection of fine vino for the holidays. It was my cousin Drew. I hastened … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. We win, they lose.” That Reagan statement was a declaration for the ages, a denouement to the 20th century, encapsulating what Ronald Reagan did to defeat the Soviet Union and win … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. One of the cool things about being a biographer with special expertise on a specific subject — in my case, Ronald Reagan — is that readers come to you with … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. The Declaration of Independence was, of course, just that. It was an official declaration of independence by the “United Colonies” (upper case), as they were thus described by Thomas Jefferson, … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. A particularly idiotic aphorism touted by our mindless culture is this cliché: Wait until you have enough money before you have kids. This nugget serves as secular wisdom, courtesy of … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. I think often of my late good friend Charles Wiley. I was introduced to Charlie by my Grove City College colleague David Ayers. Dave knew Charlie way back, and the … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Crisis Magazine. On April 25, EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo did an exclusive, hour-long interview with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Kudos to both Arroyo and Kennedy for sitting down to dialogue in a civil, thoughtful manner that’s … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at the National Catholic Register. On Feb. 24, 2022, I was awakened by dinging text messages and phone calls from an old friend, an expert on Russia, the Cold War and communism. He doesn’t … Continue reading
