Minervas Owl by Jeffrey Abramson
As Hegel famously noted, the goddess Minervas owl brought back wisdom only at dusk, when it was too late to shine light on actual politics. Abramson provides a guide for discovering the tradition of political thought that dates back to Socrates and Plato, with contemporary examples that illustrate the enduring nature of political dilemmas.
[Abramson] gives us a wonderfully accessible survey of the entire field of Western political philosophyHis book is not only a fine introduction for beginners, but also an erudite, nonpartisan consideration for those who may be more conversant with the literature. There is something to think about on every page. -- Roger Gathman * Austin American-Statesman *
Abramson bestows upon readers the benefit of his decades of teaching political philosophy… This book consists of straightforward and lucid explorations of the canonical thinkers and their works. -- Steven Chabot * Library Journal *
A splendid book. I can’t imagine a better way to introduce general readers and students to the study of politics. -- Michael Walzer, Institute for Advanced Study
Unusual in its grace, Minerva’s Owl offers an important alternative to introductory texts that are usually dry, superficial, and stilted. I can hardly imagine a more elegant, engaging, and accessible introduction to the traditional canon of Western political thought. -- Tamara Metz, Reed College
Minerva’s Owl is a beautiful and insightful interpretation of the history of political thought. In polished and unpretentious prose, Abramson makes difficult points about difficult authors with such clarity that the difficulty recedes and you believe, after reading the book, that you really understand the thinkers under discussion. Yet the book also shows how political philosophy unsettles our ordinary opinions as it interrupts our premature complacency and uncritical views. Abramson invites the reader to join him in developing not only a sophisticated understanding of our own politics, but in entertaining radical alternatives to our own politics. -- Russell Muirhead, The University of Texas at Austin
Abramson bestows upon readers the benefit of his decades of teaching political philosophy… This book consists of straightforward and lucid explorations of the canonical thinkers and their works. -- Steven Chabot * Library Journal *
A splendid book. I can’t imagine a better way to introduce general readers and students to the study of politics. -- Michael Walzer, Institute for Advanced Study
Unusual in its grace, Minerva’s Owl offers an important alternative to introductory texts that are usually dry, superficial, and stilted. I can hardly imagine a more elegant, engaging, and accessible introduction to the traditional canon of Western political thought. -- Tamara Metz, Reed College
Minerva’s Owl is a beautiful and insightful interpretation of the history of political thought. In polished and unpretentious prose, Abramson makes difficult points about difficult authors with such clarity that the difficulty recedes and you believe, after reading the book, that you really understand the thinkers under discussion. Yet the book also shows how political philosophy unsettles our ordinary opinions as it interrupts our premature complacency and uncritical views. Abramson invites the reader to join him in developing not only a sophisticated understanding of our own politics, but in entertaining radical alternatives to our own politics. -- Russell Muirhead, The University of Texas at Austin
Jeffrey Abramson is Professor of Government and Law and Fellow of the Frank C. Erwin, Jr. Centennial Chair in Government, The University of Texas at Austin.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780674057029 |
| ISBN 10 | 0674057023 |
| Title | Minervas Owl |
| Author | Jeffrey Abramson |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Harvard University Press |
| Year published | 2010-09-30 |
| Number of pages | 400 |
| Prizes | Nominated for Pulitzer Prizes 2010 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |