Suburban Warriors

By Lisa McGirr,

Book cover of Suburban Warriors: The Origins of the New American Right

Book description

In the early 1960s, American conservatives seemed to have fallen on hard times. McCarthyism was on the run, and movements on the political left were grabbing headlines. The media lampooned John Birchers's accusations that Dwight Eisenhower was a communist puppet. Mainstream America snickered at warnings by California Congressman James B.…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

2 authors picked Suburban Warriors as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This is a field-defining work. First published in 2001, McGirr’s book prompted a generation of historians to reexamine the rise and evolution of modern American conservatism. Focused on the suburbs of Orange County, California, Suburban Warriors explored how grassroots conservative activists mobilized to reshape the politics of the nation. Through the stories of ordinary people--housewives and defense workers, evangelical worshippers, and anti-communist activists--we learn how the modern American right evolved from a fringe movement into arguably the most powerful political force in the United States.

A marvelous account of how the Christian right came to power in Orange County, California, one of their first victories. McGirr, who lives in Orange County, is also a scholar from Princeton.

Want books like Suburban Warriors?

Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Suburban Warriors.

Browse books like Suburban Warriors

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in politics, conservatism, and the Christian right?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about politics, conservatism, and the Christian right.

Politics Explore 705 books about politics
Conservatism Explore 32 books about conservatism
The Christian Right Explore 18 books about the Christian right