A brilliant biography of one of the intellectual mavericks of 20th Century Catholicism.Richard John Neuhaus (1936-2009) was one of the most influential figures in American public life from the Civil Rights era to the War on Terror. His writing; activism; and connections to people of power in religion; politics; and culture secured a place for himself and his ideas at the center of recent American history. William F. Buckley; Jr. and John Kenneth Galbraith are comparable -- willing controversialists and prodigious writers adept at cultivating or castigating the powerful; while advancing lively arguments for the virtues and vices of the ongoing American experiment. But unlike Buckley and Galbraith; who have always been identified with singular political positions on the right and left; respectively; Neuhaus' life and ideas placed him at the vanguard of events and debates across the political and cultural spectrum. For instance; alongside Abraham Heschel and Daniel Berrigan; Neuhaus co-founded Clergy Concerned About Vietnam; in 1965. Forty years later; Neuhaus was the subject of a New York Review of Books article by Garry Wills; which cast him as a Rasputin of the far right; exerting dangerous influence in both the Vatican and the Bush White House. This book looks to examine Neuhaus's multi-faceted life and reveal to the public what made him tick and why.
#267834 in Books 2016-03-22 2016-03-22Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.20 x 1.20 x 6.10l; 1.70 #File Name: 0307741818640 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. I really like this book-just a couple of pointsBy Michael GreenbergI really like this book-just a couple of points. Much of it has been covered over and over again. Whether it glosses over Stalin's atrocities is a point; but certainly does not omit them. However; Stalin's purges in not the central theme of the book. Also covered elsewhere; but reinforced for me; is the horrible Chamberlain/Halifax government who could have acted and put the brakes on Hitler; at least for a time. This is one of the key themes of Churchill's first book in his WWII series. The arrogance of the Brits in rejecting Stalin's overtures was also quite appalling. I was always under the assumption that Stalin and hornswaggled FDR; but this book takes the view that FDR was also quite effective in his manipulations. Perhaps the most intriguing point; for me; is what would have happened had FDR lived. It certainly could not have been worse than what took place-when suspicion and paranoia immediately replaced victor. Another intriguing point is what would have happened if the Neutrality Act had been repealed prior to Dec. 7. In any event; just some thoughts; but it is a good book; to be included in one's library of this era.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Ride Through History You'll Never Forget!By CustomerA passionate historical tour de force which takes the reader on an inspiring ride through history that reads like the best novel in the world. It takes you there in the highs and lows of history when the very future of mankind was at stake; and two men essentially saved the world.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Roosevelt was a brilliant statesmanBy CustomerKKHe did not prepare Truman for his roleStalin trusted Roosevelt and didn't respect Truman who failed to recognize his advantage and was swayed by anti-Rusian clique in the government leading us to the cold-war
