Public figures

Books recommended by Karl Rove

American political consultant and policy advisor

American political consultant and policy advisor. Their picks here come from a Five Books interview, on Compassionate Conservatism.

5 books from 1 source · 2 also picked by others

On lists:Politicians Journalists

Politics & society Economics & progress History Psychology & decisions

Photo: White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This is a selection of sourced recommendations, not a complete list of everything Karl Rove has read or praised. How we choose.

Recommendations

Books Karl Rove recommends

5 books from 1 source. Each one links to the place where Karl recommended it.

The best books on Compassionate Conservatism

Interview · Five Books · 28 Aug 2012 · View source ↗

Five Books interview in which Karl Rove chooses and discusses five books.

The Federalist Papers

Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison · 1964
Explicit recommendation
One of five picks in the 2012 Five Books interview “The best books on Compassionate Conservatism”.

The best books on Compassionate Conservatism Interviewfivebooks.com Five Books · 28 Aug 2012 · checked 12 Nov 2026

Order this book
Democracy in America

Alexis de Tocqueville · 1835
Explicit recommendation
One of five picks in the 2012 Five Books interview “The best books on Compassionate Conservatism”.

The best books on Compassionate Conservatism Interviewfivebooks.com Five Books · 28 Aug 2012 · checked 12 Nov 2026

Order this book

+4 other recommenders: Patrick Collison, Francis Fukuyama, Robert Reich, Mark Manson
The Conscience of a Conservative

Barry Goldwater · 1960
Explicit recommendation
One of five picks in the 2012 Five Books interview “The best books on Compassionate Conservatism”.

The best books on Compassionate Conservatism Interviewfivebooks.com Five Books · 28 Aug 2012 · checked 12 Nov 2026

Order this book
Capitalism and Freedom

Milton Friedman · 1962
Explicit recommendation
One of five picks in the 2012 Five Books interview “The best books on Compassionate Conservatism”.

The best books on Compassionate Conservatism Interviewfivebooks.com Five Books · 28 Aug 2012 · checked 12 Nov 2026

Order this book
The Theory of Moral Sentiments

Adam Smith · 1986
Explicit recommendation
One of five picks in the 2012 Five Books interview “The best books on Compassionate Conservatism”.

The best books on Compassionate Conservatism Interviewfivebooks.com Five Books · 28 Aug 2012 · checked 12 Nov 2026

Order this book

+2 other recommenders: Robert J. Shiller, Ryan Holiday