Review: Behind Enemy Lines by Ray Keating

The journalistic side of Ray Keating’s writing comes to the fore in Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left Wing New York. Boasting a traditional conservative voice that is measured, self-aware, confident, and persuasive, Keating’s arguments are original and thought-provoking, while many of the ideas explored in this book are surprisingly nuanced.

As a journalist, fiction writer, and general observer of life, Keating has written more than 8,000 columns and pieces over the past thirty years, remaining steadily in the lane of idyllic conservatism – family, God, and country matter above most else. Having read many of Keating’s Pastor Grant novels, the conservative bent to much of this book’s arguments is unsurprising. His iconic protagonist is a gun-toting, Constitution-defending, God-fearing vigilante hero, an appealing figure for a steadfast conservative operating in a bastion of liberal progressivism like New York.

Ranging from lauding praise on Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan to questioning Obama’s ultimate motives and decision-making ability, these opinion pieces are anything but impartial, but they are also well-structured and level-headed. Criticisms of taxpayers picking up the NASA tab, scathing reviews of governmental function (regardless of party leadership), and discussions of the quiet titan of Christianity within American politics are just a few of the subjects touched on in this unexpectedly riveting collection.

Keating’s journalistic style is similarly fearless to his fiction writing, unafraid to dabble in any realm and apply his firmly held beliefs into peaceful debate with those who would disagree. Unlike so much other conservative writing in recent years, especially pro-Trump partiality, Keating has a frank and honest voice that appears to be morally uncompromised. He makes it clear that while his economic, social, and geopolitical opinions may fall on the conservative spectrum, his principles are still very much in place.

At times, Keating comes across as apologetic regarding his political affiliation, making many different references and subtle justifications, as though he expects many of his readers to be liberally minded, or at least to disagree with his opinion. On the other hand, the points being made in so many of the essays are sound and difficult to argue with. Journalism can often veer into weak logic and fallacious claims, even from respected outlets, but Keating doesn’t push into unfounded opinion. His writing is compelling because it is expressed with the tact and insight that can legitimately help to change people’s minds.

Some of the sections of the collection are prefaced with brief intros, explaining the state of the world when the pieces were written, or the author’s present feelings on what he had written in the past. Even more of these insights would be interesting, especially given this tumultuous moment in America, where the country’s future direction very much hangs in the balance. Additionally, some of the subject matter covered in these essays feels less relevant than it could be, while other pieces are redundant. A tighter selection could help with some pacing issues, although the ordering and structure of the entire collection works very well.

Overall, the flexibility of Keating’s voice makes this an entertaining and off-kilter read, balancing personal views with undeniable facts, and shining a revelatory light into unexpected corners of the American experience.