Bøger af Roger Kimball

We are living in an age of unprecedented upheaval. The future of Western culture is uncertain. America's economic and political vitality are more fragile than ever. The preservation of tradition is far from guaranteed. Many have observed that we are living through a world historical moment of which Hegel spoke: a time when many of the traditional assumptions about the shape and future of culture are suddenly in play. As "The New Criterion" embarks on its fourth decade of publication, the magazine commemorates its commitment to the civilizing values of informed criticism with the publication of "Future Tense: The Lessons of Culture in an Age of Upheaval." Compiling the writings of some of the greatest essayists of our time, Future Tense examines this pivotal period through a variety of lenses. Beginning with a meditation on memorials after the 9/11 attacks (Michael J. Lewis), the essays address patriotism in relation to Pericles (Victor Davis Hanson), twenty-first century American pride and leadership (Andrew Roberts), the future of religion in America (David Bentley Hart), and the unwinding of the welfare state (Kevin D. Williamson). Continuing this arc, pieces examine self-knowledge and modern technology (Anthony Daniels), the cultural capital of museums (James Panero), and the difficulties of making law in the modern world (Andrew C. McCarthy). In its penultimate essay, the book explores the possibility of a forthcoming political revolution (James Piereson), then closes with a reflection of culture's role in the economy of life and the fragility of civilization (Roger Kimball). Taken together, these prominent writers demonstrate an acute understanding of the value of Western thought as well as the challenges it faces. "Future Tense" is an engaging discourse on the prospects of society and an important collection for anyone concerned with the longevity of traditional culture.

"At least since Oedipus met King Laius on the road from Delphi to Thebes, the image of a crossroads has signaled a dramatic and morally fraught turning point. It was with that cargo of significance in mind that The New Criterion decided to publish a special series of essays on "Western civilization at the crossroads" throughout this fortieth anniversary season. Featuring contributions by Conrad Black, Victor Davis Hanson, Roger Kimball, Andrew Roberts, and other luminaries, this book collects the ten special essays from The New Criterion's fortieth-anniversary season to assess where Western civilization is now, and where it's going"--

In essays ranging over time, place, and subject, Roger Kimball has produced gems of literary and social commentaries, which constitute an incisive critique of the relativism that afflicts our culture. His book is in the worthy tradition recalled in the subtitle, Matthew Arnold's Culture and Anarchy. - Gertrude Himmelfarb Roger Kimball is without doubt one of the best cultural observers of our day. The scope of his knowledge and the depth of his insight are alike breathtaking. To read him is to step away from the noise of post-modern bedlam into a place of enduring sense and wisdom. - Andrew Klavan, author of Empires of Lies Posing as merely a collection of witty and penetrating essays, this book in fact contains the secret to nothing less than the regeneration of America, indeed of the English-speaking culture as a whole. With this work, Roger Kimball can no longer simply be thought of as an insightful and compelling commentator of the social, political and cultural scene, but must now be regarded as an important modern prophet, a philosopher for the future. - Andrew Roberts Roger Kimball is eloquence personified, and he has written a timely, elegant, and bold defense of the immutable first principles and standards of excellence that animate and define the West. - Tim Goeglein, Vice President for External Relations, Focus on the Family Roger Kimball's essays . . . are as wise as they are elegantly written. - Martin Gardner Roger Kimball is a trenchant and courageous critic of contemporary culture, although his positive values and his historical grasp make him far more than a mere polemicist. - John Gross Roger Kimball's mind is uniquely qualified to deal with literary and philosophical matters alike, able to see things from both a critical and a scholarly point of view. His position is conservative but not reactionary, humanistic but not populist, fresh but never trendy." - John Simon

Exposes the charlatanry that fuels much academic art history today and leaks into the art world generally.

Chronicles how counterculture succeeded and how its ideas helped provoke culture wars.

Illuminates some of the chief spiritual itineraries of modern art.