The University Bookman
Reviewing Books that Build Culture
Support the University Bookman during our annual Kirktober Fundraiser, and receive an audio copy of Kirk’s short story, What Shadows We Pursue.
Kirktober 2025: James Panero and Adam Simon on the Haunted House
October 28, 2025
On Tuesday, October 28, at 6:00 PM, you are invited to join University Bookman editor Luke Sheahan, Hollywood screenwriter Adam Simon, and New Criterion executive editor James Panero, as they explore the theme of the haunted house in gothic literature and its relationship to conservative thought and imagination.
Register for this free webinar here.
Sour ’68
Joseph Bottum and Justin L. Blessinger help us put 2018 into perspective with a look back on the turmoil of 1968, when victory began wearing the death mask of defeat.
A Plodding Penn
Carl Rollyson reviews a new and ploddingly authoritative biography of William Penn’s very quirky life.
The Possibilities and Impossibilities of Willmoore Kendall
Joshua Tait looks back on the life and questionable legacy of political theorist Willmoore Kendall.
An Inherently Meaningful Cosmos
Ben Lockerd reviews a new scholarly treatment of Arthurian motifs in the thought and writings of the Inklings.
The Loyal Gentleman
Father Schall looks at a historical essay from Hilaire Belloc on lessons from the civilized conversation of King St. Louis.
Rescuing the Heroic Narrative
Elizabeth Bittner reviews Michael Walsh’s Fiery Angel on the West’s loss of confidence in its own narrative.
When Elites Were Elites
Addison Del Mastro reviews a new history of the great literary Republic of Letters.
The Bloody (Congressional) Road to Disunion
John Bicknell welcomes Joanne Freeman’s new history of physical violence inside Congress before the Civil War.
Confessions of a Jet-Set Conservative
Ben Sixsmith reviews a memoir on the departure of an aesthetic … conservative?
The Book Gallery
A collection of conversations with Bookman editor Luke C. Sheahan and writers and authors of imagination and erudition.
