Category Archives: book reviews

Character Witnesses

Last week’s column reported on work being done by archeologists and historians, Christian and Jewish, in Israel and surrounding lands, to uncover the real state of Jewry at the time of Jesus. My hope, in describing some of these findings, … Continue reading

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Theological Rivalry

The other day, Jerry said to me over brunch, “Why don’t Jews move to claim Jesus as their own?” I thought about that a minute, then answered, “The evangelicals are the most significant American voting bloc that still supports Israel. … Continue reading

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Book Matters

Philosopher’s Holiday by Irwin Edman (Viking 1938, Penguin Books 1943) This is the sort of book that doesn’t get written these days, brought into being by the sort of man who doesn’t himself get produced any more. Irwin Edman was … Continue reading

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Reluctant Inferences

This is the evening when I usually pen the weekly essay for “Dear Abbie: The Non-Advice Column.” Till I take pen in hand, I never know exactly what I’m going to write. Often, I don’t even know the topic! So … Continue reading

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Call No Woman Happy

In his Histories, Herodotus tells the tale of a certain King Croesus of Lydia (reigned 585-547 BCE) who boasted of his happiness to a guest, the wise Solon. The guest warned him that – given life’s uncertainties – no one … Continue reading

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The Price of Living One’s Philosophy

At our Torah Study class this week, we took up the concluding portion of the Book of Exodus. Mostly it deals with instructions for constructing the Mishkan (Tent of Meeting). That’s the portable temple housing the famous box (the Ark … Continue reading

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Book Matters

The Fifth Act: America’s End in Afghanistan By Elliot Ackerman In case you’ve put the whole awful subject out of your mind by now, this book, by a battle-hardened marine, is a reminder that our (the USA’s) exit from Afghanistan … Continue reading

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Book Matters

Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America By John McWhorter Sometimes I imagine the following scene: I am seated at a sidewalk café in D.C., having dinner with a friend. Suddenly a troop of Wokesters show up. … Continue reading

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Voegelinian Vagaries

In last week’s column, I mentioned that Eric Voegelin is a political philosopher whom I approach – in advance and in principle – with a high degree of respect. Unlike most contemporary thinkers about life at the political level, he is not … Continue reading

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