Advise and Consent by Allen Drury

I have been aware of Allen Drury for some time because I had one of the sequels to Advise and Consent in my bookshelf–it was from my mother’s library. When I saw that National Review listed Advise and Consent as one of the best conservative novels, I decided I had to read it.

Since I didn’t have Advise and Consent, I started with what I did have, its sequel, Preserve and Protect. That meant when I did read Advise and Consent, I already knew the ultimate outcome of the story. It wasn’t a bad way to read it, though I think I’d recommend the traditional order. Not because I knew the outcome of the story so much as I knew how one of the characters came to change over time. And I found I couldn’t dislike him as much as I might have otherwise. Of course, not intensely disliking someone has its benefits, so I am not complaining.

But whatever order in which you read them, if you are at all interested in the culture and politics of our country, you ought to read Advise and Consent. As it dives into the political and personal machinations taking place in the late 1950’s U.S. Congress, we learn that the battle of truth versus lies is not new to 21st-century politics. And that while there appears to be one side that favors truth more than another, neither side is pure. An interesting aspect of Drury’s story from our present-day perspective is that the battle over truth is largely fought within the Democratic party.

Truth prevails in Advise and Consent, though at great cost. Of course, truth always prevails, but because of our fallen nature there is always a great cost as it does. We see this in the political battles of our day. And we see it in our families and personal lives. Most of all, we see it at the cross on which Jesus was nailed and died for the sins of those who call on Him as their savior.

If you are interested in seeing a great rendition of the impact of truth and lies in politics and in life, you should read Advise and Consent.