Asheville – Asheville native Joe Scotchie recently published his tenth book, “Samuel T. Francis And Revolution From The Middle,” which explores the life and ideas of the late political commentator Sam Francis. The biography, released by Shotwell Publishing in Columbia, SC, describes Francis as “the most provocative and prophetic political pundit of his time,” according to the book’s jacket copy.
Francis’s Early Life and Career
Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Francis had deep family roots in both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. He was recognized as an ambitious young scholar, winning writing awards as a teenager. After graduating from Johns Hopkins University, he pursued a Ph.D. in English history at the University of North Carolina, where he began to make a name for himself.
Francis’s career included significant roles at The Heritage Foundation and in the offices of Senator John P. East (R-NC), but he is perhaps best known for his work at The Washington Times during the 1980s. At that time, he embodied the typical Cold War conservative, aligning himself with staunch anti-communist senators. His extensive reading and writing led him to become a disciple of influential thinkers like James Burnham and M.E. Bradford.
Shift in Ideology and Influence
With the conclusion of the Cold War, Francis’s worldview evolved. He became a prominent voice for an emerging America First platform alongside Patrick J. Buchanan, advocating against unnecessary wars, free trade, and mass immigration while promoting traditional Christian values. His outspoken views led to his exclusion from mainstream conservatism, prompting him to seek a revolutionary consciousness among Middle American Radicals who had supported Nixon and Reagan.
Scotchie noted that Francis was prophetic in predicting a populist revolt against the elite, a sentiment that resonated during Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign. “Sam Francis sought to analyze and celebrate the achievements of Western man throughout the centuries,” Scotchie explained. He highlighted how Francis became a voice for those who felt alienated in modern society, lamenting the loss of familiar faces in everyday life.
This biography marks the first comprehensive account of Francis’s life, detailing how he sacrificed a conventional career to pursue truth in his writings.
Scotchie’s Motivation for Writing
When asked about his motivation for writing about Francis, Scotchie shared, “Well, I wrote the Pat Buchanan biography in the late Nineties. Sam Francis was the natural follow-up. The two were friends and colleagues. They both championed America First back in the early 1990s when no one thought it had a snowball’s chance.” He elaborated on Francis’s intellectual journey, noting that he began as a disciple of James Burnham, who believed that humanity’s fundamental instinct was a lust for power rather than freedom or equality.
Scotchie emphasized that Francis’s views became more explicit over time, as he opposed war, immigration, and free trade while defending American and Southern history against various critiques. He remarked on the renewed interest in Francis’s writings following Donald Trump’s rise in politics.
A graduate of Asheville High School and UNC-Asheville, Scotchie also completed graduate work at The City College of New York. With over 30 years of journalism experience in New York City, he has received accolades from the New York State Press Association and the North Carolina Society of Historians. His previous works include titles such as “The Vision of Richard Weaver” and “Street Corner Conservative: Patrick J. Buchanan And His Times.”
“Samuel T. Francis” is available for purchase on Amazon.com, Shotwellpublishing.com, and at various bookstores.