From one of America's foremost historians; Inventing America compares Thomas Jefferson's original draft of the Declaration of Independence with the final; accepted version; thereby challenging many long-cherished assumptions about both the man and the document. Although Jefferson has long been idealized as a champion of individual rights; Wills argues that in fact his vision was one in which interdependence; not self-interest; lay at the foundation of society. "No one has offered so drastic a revision or so close or convincing an analysis as Wills has . . . The results are little short of astonishing" (Edmund S. Morgan New York Review of Books ).
#1154040 in Books One World Lights 2011-04-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.04 x 6.00l; 1.34 #File Name: 0615414281414 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Honest; compassionate portrayalBy Matthew GindinThis is a great book. It is humble; honest; tender and unflinching. It not only depicts the great R' Shlomo Carlebach; including the ambiguities and possible failings in his conduct; but is also a great portrait of spiritual Jews trying to find their way in the late 20th century. If anyone wants to know the story of Jewish renewal; both in its liberal hippy wing and its baal teshuva (return to orthodoxy) wing; this book is the best book out there. I could see it taught in college courses on modern Judaism. This books cast of characters include 60's hippy Jews; baby boomers; Jews who left obervance to join political or sexual liberation movements; Jews who became Brelover Hasids living in Orthodox enclaves in Israel; Jews who became prominent in American and Canadian liberal Judaism. All of them were touched by R' Shlomo; often in life changing ways. The book is a bit slow in the first half at times; and might seem a bit navel gazing; but pull through its well worth it by the end.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Aryae Coopersmith gives first hand recollectionsBy Janet BaucomAt first; I browsed through the book before reading intently. I feared that he made statements that could harm Shlomo's reputation; but realized he wanted to bring realism to his own memoir as well. Its clear that he had a deep admiration of Shlomo - but at the same time questioned some of his responses - and seemingly in the end captured the greatness of a man imbued with a very deep love of humanity - and all living and inanimate surroundings as well. Very well done! Aryae weaves his own life around his involvement with The House of Love and Prayer in San Francisco; and takes us on his journey through life to discover his unique manner to incorporate all the spiritualism he learned through Shlomo's unique introduction of the young to Judaism while allowing an aspect of realism to surface. This balancing act shows his own vulnerabilities and strength. His life is a testament of the greatness shared by Shlomo. The idea of having circles; a horizontal structure of human connection; rather than a vertical with a leader at the top; is powerful. I would think a great NEXT book by Aryae Coopersmith may include more information and ideas to share as people lead and follow in this direction! I thoroughly enjoyed the book when reading in depth and marked many parts of it as reference for continual learning and sharing. Reading and sharing a story once is never enough. We can always glean deeper meanings as we return to it over and over again.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Even our most profound teachers are only human.By David ShapiroIn Ethics of the Fathers the sages of the Talmud advise; "Make for yourself a teacher; acquire for yourself a friend and judge every person favorably." The first two of these admonitions about teachers and friends seem connected but the third; judging everyone favorably; seems out of place. A wise man suggested the message here is that unless we judge people favorably; if we scrutinize them too harshly and too critically; we will soon lose all our teachers and all our friends. The author of Holy Beggars; Aryae Coopersmith; has clearly internalized this wisdom. Like many young people in the late sixties Aryae was hungering for the experience of "oneness"; the spiritual ecstasy of feeling connected to the Creator and all of Creation and all of humankind. Many young people were looking for this "oneness" in rock and roll; sex; drugs and Eastern religions. And like many Jewish young people Aryea could not find it in the tepid Judaism with which he had grown up. Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach fired Aryae's imagination by showing him that this "oneness" could be found within the mystical and Hasidic strands of Judaism. The means through which Shlomo presented this message was largely through music and storytelling. Aryae became Shlomo's devoted and loving disciple and looked up to Shlomo as his spiritual guide and soul master. When he hears Shlomo dreaming of a House of Love and Prayer; "a place where; when you walk in; someone loves you; and when you walk out; someone misses you" Aryae takes it upon himself to actualize his teacher's dream and make it into a reality. He soon discovers that Shlomo is unable to tie himself down to one place or to concern himself with the practical matters of running the House. Aryae seeks to have an in-depth conversation with his teacher for guidance but Shlomo never seems to find the time to do "one-on-ones". For a brief period the House lived up to its transcendent promise but when that could not be sustained its founding members scattered; many to Israel. Aryae continues his lifelong relationship with his elusive teacher even after Shlomo's death and even as Aryae discovers that his teacher was less than "perfected". Holy Beggars is a moving and honest story of a loving relationship built upon the foundations of compassion; understanding and the recognition that even our most profound teachers are only human.
