The Blue Book of the John Birch Society

Robert Welch (1899-1985) retired from his executive position in his brother’s candy manufacturing business to devote his full attention to anti-communism; in 1958, he called eleven other men (including Revilio Oliver, industrialist Fred Koch, and Ezra Taft Benson—who later became the President of the Mormon Church) to attend a 2-day presentation—where he read this 1958 document—and proposed the formation of the John Birch Society, whose motto is, “Less government, more responsibililty, and—with God’s help—a better world.”

The book begins (“Look at the Score”) with a summary of the successes of the Communists: “The Communists have accomplished all of the first step (eastern Europe), plus three-fourths of the second step (the masses of Asia), plus one-fourth of the third… (which) adds up to two out of that total of three…” (pg. 16)

Along with the establishment of the JBS, he proposes setting up of Reading Rooms (modeled after Christian Science (pg. 64), reprinting inexpensive editions of important books, etc.

Interspersed throughout he offers his revealing comments (e.g., Emerson was “the most profound of all Americans,” pg. 1; historian Arnold Toynbee was a “meretricious hack,” pg. 34, etc.). Interestingly, Welch was a Darwinist (pgs. 34, 136), and although he speaks lovingly of the “fundamentalist Christian” (pg. 135-136), his own viewpoint seems closer to Deism (pg. 135-142).

The JBS still exists, still publishes the “New American” magazine, as well as CDs and DVDs and printed publications. This book will give you an idea of how they began.