<i>Against the Tide</i> is a ten part collection containing many newspaper columns, essays, and diary entries authored by Roger Scruton. The work spans from the early 70s to the very recent past (Scruton died in early 2020). The collection appears to be fairly representative of the prolific English philosopher's perspective on art, culture, politics, and life (though I am by no means an expert in Scruton's work).

<i>Against the Tide</i> is a lot to take in as the subjects of the various pieces range widely as well as their historical context. Scruton's tone, succinctness, and erudition are remarkably consistent with his ideas becoming a bit more clearer and less self-conscious in his later work. Scruton is also notable because he provides a defense of traditionalism and national sovereignty that is based in aesthetics, duty, and meaning (typically understood through Christianity for Scruton). For American readers like myself, this right-wing perspective is somewhat distinct from most American conservatism, which is instead largely predicated on the liberal tradition of Enlightenment philosophy and embodied in our country's foundational texts. Pouring through Scruton's musing was compelling and edifying in many ways. There were of course places where his arguments were a bit thin or just simply expressions of defiant positions rather than rationalizations, but I think readers of all political perspectives may benefit from exposure to Scruton's thoughts.

There are several pieces that I think are worth highlighting:
"The Conservative Conscience" (1994)
"The Meaning of Margaret Thatcher" (2013)
"The Ideology of Human Right" (1980)
"The End of Education" (1985)
"The Triumph of Nothingness" (1984)
"High Culture is Being Corrupted by a Culture of Fakes" (2012)