The Cycles of American History

From Library Journal

Schlesinger, a wide-ranging historian and political activist, considers topics such as the Cold War, political parties, the presidency, and many broader philosophical issues. Never one to soft-peddle his opinions, Schlesinger confronts scholars and politicians on the left and right who, he believes, bend history to their own ideological ends. Much of what appears in these essays has been published in various articles over the past generation during which the author was a leading proponent of a centrist approach to politics and foreign policy. To his credit, Schlesinger makes clear that his perspective has been altered somewhat by the passing years. Nonetheless, while he amends some of his more strident earlier opinions, he never apologizes for them. Even those who find his tub-thumping for Roosevelt and Kennedy a bit outdated will enjoy his sprightly style and incisive wit. Charles K. Piehl, Director of Grants and Sponsored Progs., Mankato State Univ., Minn. Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"First-rate history mixed with a strong sense of public service... an excellent and provocative primer on the challenges surrounding the contemporary American political setting." --This text refers to the

Paperback edition.