In his famous essay, “On the Reading of Old Books,” C.S. Lewis said that instead of reading secondary sources on great thinkers, we ought to read the primary sources. Not only are the primary sources more important, but they are usually more lucid, and so easier to read! I’ve experienced the problem firsthand. One book that sought to explain a famous philosopher’s ideas was close to undecipherable. When I read the primary source, it was quite clear.
Mark Dooley’s wonderful book on Roger Scruton does not suffer from the problem Lewis wrote about. Dooley’s book is clear and thrilling to read. Dooley’s style and content is a great tribute to the stylish and insightful Roger Scruton.
Even though I will read dozens of more books this year, this one will be one of my favorite books of 2025.
Whether you are familiar with Roger Scruton or not, this is a biography worth your time. It is not long at 180 pages, but you will want to savor it as there are wonderful insights on every page. No exaggeration there as my own copy has over 160 marginal notes, some the length of the margins.
Dooley’s book is called an “intellectual biography,” as it mainly deals with Scruton’s ideas. Don’t let that deter you as Scruton was a thinker who abhorred ideas staying in the abstract dimension. You will be inspired by Scruton’s clarity and courage in taking unpopular stands. Scruton paid dearly for telling the truth, especially when many were content with their “comfortable falsehoods.”
One of the great books I read last summer (one of my books of the year for 2024) is a biography of Edmund Burke by Jesse Norman. Burke did not appreciate activists who didn’t think very well. Burke also didn’t respect those who had lofty ideas but did not translate them into addressing real-world problems.
It is no surprise then to discover that Burke was a key influence on Scruton.
Roger Scruton: The Philosopher on Dover Beach is truly a great read!