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The Irony of American History
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The Irony of American History Paperback - 2008

by Reinhold Niebuhr; Introduction by Andrew J. Bacevich


Summary

"[Niebuhr] is one of my favorite philosophers. I take away [from his works] the compelling idea that there's serious evil in the world, and hardship and pain. And we should be humble and modest in our belief we can eliminate those things. But we shouldn't use that as an excuse for cynicism and inaction. I take away . . . the sense we have to make these efforts knowing they are hard."—President Barack Obama Forged during the tumultuous but triumphant postwar years when America came of age as a world power, The Irony of American History is more relevant now than ever before. Cited by politicians as diverse as Hillary Clinton and John McCain, Niebuhr's masterpiece on the incongruity between personal ideals and political reality is both an indictment of American moral complacency and a warning against the arrogance of virtue. Impassioned, eloquent, and deeply perceptive, Niebuhr's wisdom will cause readers to rethink their assumptions about right and wrong, war and peace.

Details

  • Title The Irony of American History
  • Author Reinhold Niebuhr; Introduction by Andrew J. Bacevich
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 198
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL
  • Date 2008-05-01
  • Features Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780226583983 / 0226583988
  • Weight 0.47 lbs (0.21 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.03 x 5.44 x 0.47 in (20.40 x 13.82 x 1.19 cm)
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 20th Century
    • Religious Orientation: Christian
  • Library of Congress subjects United States - Civilization, United States - Foreign relations - 20th
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2007044237
  • Dewey Decimal Code 973

Media reviews

Citations

  • Books & Culture, 11/01/2008, Page 29
  • London Review of Books, 10/23/2008, Page 11
  • New York Review of Books, 03/26/2009, Page 22

About the author

Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)taught for many years at Union Theological Seminary, in New York City, as well as lecturing and preaching all over the country. The recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964, he is the author of many books, including The Nature and Destiny of Man.

Andrew J. Bacevich, professor of international relations and history at Boston University, is the author of The Long War.

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