Crisis of the Strauss Divided: Essays on Leo Strauss and Straussianism, East and West

(Hardback)

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Leo Strauss (1899-1973) was the greatest mind in political philosophy in the twentieth century, and possibly in other centuries as well. That, I am well aware, is a judgment I share with very few, if any. So writes Harry V. Jaffa in his epilogue to this volume. Including an extensive unpublished essay entitled Straussian Geography: A Memoir and Commentary, Crisis of the Strauss Divided brings together a collection of Jaffas published arguments defending and explaining that judgment, written during the 40 years since Strausss death. The volume includes arguments of those who have disagreed with Jaffa about Strauss's teaching and about the nature of political philosophy. These wide ranging exchanges explore many of the great themes of political philosophy and, in particular, the implications of Strauss's thinking for America and modern civilization.

Reviews

Among Straussian publications on American politics (to say nothing of non-Straussian), none excels Harry Jaffas masterpiece, A New Birth of Freedom. In Crisis of the Strauss Divided, Jaffa explains to his critics why a defense of Lincoln and the Founders is, paradoxically, consistent with political philosophy which many equate with an apolitical interpretation of Great Books. Political philosophy means nothing without a lively concern with the problems of life here and now. -- Thomas G. West
This is some very intricate stuff, and requires setting aside a good chunk to time to work through. But worth it. * Powerline *
Crisis of the Strauss Divided gathers together 19 essays. Readers. . .will be pleasantly surprised by the later entries' civil, engaging tone. . . .Harry Jaffa has developed a distinctive political philosophy, one that places political and moral questions a the center of its concerns. Though sharing certain characteristics with the sweeping philosophies of history, Jaffa's account puts reason, rather than History, firmly in the driver's seat. * Claremont Review of Books *
Jaffa is almost single-handedly the creator of what has been known as West Coast Straussianism. . . .Crisis of the Strauss Divided consists of 19 essays, the most revealing of which is the semi-autobiographal "Straussian Geography." * The New York Times *

Author Bio

Harry V. Jaffa is the Henry Salvatori Professor of Political Philosophy Emeritus at Claremont McKenna College and Claremont Graduate University, a distinguished fellow of the Claremont Institute, and the author of ten books.