Monarchist Book Review

An objective list of Monarchical Literature

At some point in a monarchist’s life, there comes a time where they become inspired to get off of the mind-melting neurodivergent hospice which is internet chatrooms, and to dive deep into intellectual study about the fundamentals of monarchy. These aspiring scholars take a keen interests in one or more aspects of monarchy.

Some prefer “Dynasty Defense” and study different Royal Successions and Families like the Jacobites or the English Royal Family (see Dr Jacqueline Riding or Penny Junor). Others are more focused on “Monarchical Apologetics” and study political theory or political-theology (see Hegel or Joseph de Maistre). Some are a “jack of all trades” like Dr. Charles Coulombe, who writes on many different Royal topics, others prefer to teach “mere monarchy” like Hunter Gasper, who lays out the basic necessities and dispel the modern myths of the institution.

But a question one must ask, if he is to begin this journey of study, is “where do I begin?” This article is meant to be an objective reading list of Monarchical Literature. There are 5 categories that we will divide the books by: Novice (New), Student (Lighter Reading), Royalist (Dynastic History), Philosopher (Political Theory), Scholar (Modern articles and essays). Let’s begin:

NOVICE:

At the very beginning of your studies, it is best to start with the basics. The questions that should be asked are: What is Monarchy? What are the myths surrounding it? How is it better than a Republic?

The List is as follows:

Modern Monarchy by Hunter Gasper

Star Spangled Crown By Charles Coulombe

De Regno ad Regem Cypri By Thomas Aquinas

STUDENT:

Now that you have the basics down, the next step is to read literature that is much longer than that of a Novice, but nonetheless well-worded and helpful. The Questions asked in these books are the same as the Novice, but are discussed deeper in depth and often revolve around different dynasties as prime example.

A Defense of Monarchy: Catholics Under a Protestant King By Multiple Authors

Patriarcha: The Natural Power of Kings By Sir Robert Filmer

Monarchy: A Study of Louis XIV By Hillaire Belloc

Missing Monarchy By Jeb J. Smith

ROYALIST:

Congratulations! You now have all of the basics memorized. You have the myths debunked, the meanings memorized, and even a bit of history under your belt. It's time for you to turn it up a notch and start studying dynasties, because there will come a time when you have to hear the fallacious statement “What about Bad Monarchs?!” uttered from a uneducated sophist.

The Last King of America By Andrew Roberts

The Habsurgs: The History of a Dynasty by Benjamin Curtis

The Romanov Royal Martyrs By St. John the Forunners Monastery

The Kaiser’s Memoirs By Wilhelm II

Maria Theresa: The Habsburg Empress in Her Time By Barbara Stollberg-Rilinger

Marie Antoinette: The Making of a French Queen By Dr. John Hardman

Louis XVI By Dr. John Hardman

The Jacobites By Charles River Editors

Napoleon By Andrew Roberts

Blessed Charles of Austria: A Holy Emperor and His Legacy By Dr. Charles Coulombe

Vicars of Christ By Dr. Charles Coulombe

The Myth of Bloody Mary: A Biography of Queen Mary I of England By Linda Porter

King James VI of Scotland and I of England By Bryan Beavan

King John: New Interpretations By S.D. Church

The Sanctity of Louis IX By Geoffrey of Beaulieu and William of Chartres

Emperor: A New Life of Charles V

Two Lives of Charlemagne By Einhard and Notker the Stammerer

History of Friedrich II of Prussia By Thomas Carlyle

Catherine the Great By Robert K Massie

Peter the Great By Robert K Massie

PHILOSOPHER:

Well done, you have successfully mastered the history of these often misunderstood Dynasties and have seen past the unadulterated slander of these Kings and Queens. But now, it is time to think a little more outside the box. As a philosopher, you will read about the metaphysical realities, hierarchical structures, and objective advantages of Monarchy from a non-dynastic perspective. These great products of political-theory will help you to truly understand what a monarchy “is” and “why” it is objectively superior.

Leviathan By Thomas Hobbes

Politics Drawn From Holy Scripture By Jaques Bossuet

Monarchia By Dante Alighieri

Democracy: The God That Failed By Hans-Hermann Hoppe

Sovereignty By Bertrand de Jouvenel

On Power By Bertrand de Jouvenel

Liberty or Equality: The Challenge of Our Times By Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn

Considerations on France By Joseph de MaistreOn Sovereignty By Bodin

Freedom Wears a Crown By John Farthing

Writings on Common Law and Hereditary Right By Thomas Hobbes

Against Rousseau By Joseph de Maistre

On Kings By David Graeber and Marshall Sahlins

The Politics By Aristotle

Liberty, Dominion, and the Two Swords By Lester L. Field Jr

The Divine Right of Kings By John Neville Figgis

Paths to Kingship in Medieval Latin Europe By Björn Weiler

Kingship and Law in the Middle Ages By Fritz Kern

Political Writings of King James VI and I

Reflections on the Revolution of France By Edmund Burke

The King's Two Bodies By Ernst H. Kantorowicz

Absolute Monarchy and the Stuart Constitution By J.P. Kenyon

Constitutional Monarchy in France By Vincent Wright

SCHOLAR:

You have successfully reached the end of the academic hierarchy. No one you know is as well read as you on the subject of monarchy. You have are a master of both Dynastic Defense and Monarchical Apologetics. You can define the basics of Monarchy, as well define the ontology of this beloved system of government. But alas, there will always be someone more learned than you. Do not take this as an insult! For you now get to learn from modern academics, scholars, and experts on the subject.

Academic/Monarchist Websites:

Royal Studies Network

International Monarchist League

Medievalist.net

Monarchist Youtube Channels/Podcasts:

Lavader

The Monarchist Channel (TMC)

Catholic Monarchist Podcast

Tumblar House

Academic Articles:

Aristotle on the Best Form of Government By Giovanni Giorgini

Aristotle’s Pambasileia and the Metaphysics of Monarchy, Polis By Carol Atack

Royal Rule in Aristotle By Paul Bullen

Art, Aristocracy, and Kingship, in: Encyclopedia of Empire, Oxford By David Engels

Shadows of the Empire… Josephus and Tacitus on Monarchy and Kingship By Martin Friis

Eugenios of Palermo’s Theory of Kingship: Political Legitimacy, Hierarchy, and the Order of Society By Mircea G Dulus

Three Arguments Relevant to the History and Theory of Monarchy By James Alexander

Monarchy By Julianna Grigg

Well, there you have it, an objective, organized, structured list of Monarchical Literature. At some point in the future I will go over the intricacies of famous works (Ex. the difference between Hobbes and Bossuet on Absolute Monarchy).
Until then, I encourage you to read, and write, and rhetorize. Knowledge is power, and the more knowledge about monarchy we have, the more powerful our defense of it will be.

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