This book was a fascinating read into the life of someone who calls himself a Crunchy Conservative and I had to admit it was rather thought provoking.
Coming from England, the one and only time I voted, I voted for the Labour Party which is halfway between the American Republican and the American Democratic parties.  This has always made it difficult for me to affiliate with any one party over here- not a big deal since I cannot legally vote as I am not a citizen!
So you can imagine my surprize when in the course of a day, this book pops up twice in conversation.  I immediately get a copy to read.
Dreher begins his book by describing Crunchy Conservatives, their beliefs in certain areas and illustrates these with profiles and conversations of crunchy cons in real life.
In this case, for those who do not know, Crunchy is a term used to describe the kind of person who makes their own granola (muesli in the UK)... hence crunchy.  Typically people who do so are very much the kind who care for the environment, eat organic foods, HOMESCHOOL, grow their own food, follow the slow food movement and support the liberal political parties.  In this case, Dreher points out that there are a number of Republicans out there who do these things too, except they support the Republican party.
Dreher tells us that crunchy cons are CONSERVATIONIST in that they believe in land stewardship, and do not support strip mining, mountaintop removal or the overuse of chemicals.  Crunchy cons are supporters of small businesses and agri-business and do not want whatever big business wants.
Crunchy cons support family and the family meal, quality family time and deplore McMansions...
Truth be told, many of these philosophies apply to our family!  We homeschool, try to eat organic, support the local farmers by buying produce locally, have a smaller house than most and always eat our homecooked food together.

The book has a number of well taken points, although Dreher can get a little preachy and lecturish at times, but his points are non-the-less valid for all that.  I can be hard not to get that way when people do not listen!  Similarly he can also be self contradicting.
It is far from being a book that will change the world, but it could easily make you think twice on your beliefs, and although not especially original fare, it is interesting.

*** 3 Stars- a worthy read, but be prepared to take what he says lightly, not everyone will agree with him.  Amazingly, the crunchy con precepts even tied into the whole Simple Elegance thread...