On Looking Into the Abyss: Untimely Thoughts on Culture and Society

by Gertrude Himmelfarb

In these provocative essays, one of our most distinguished historians looks into the abyss of the present. Himmelfarb exposes the intellectual and spiritual impoverishment of some of our most fashionable current ideas--and shows how the vogue for historical structuralism has made it possible to trivialize the tragedy of the Holocaust.

Genres: Essays, Philosophy, Nonfiction, History, Cultural

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Gertrude Himmelfarb, also known as Bea Kristol, was an American historian. She was a leader and conservative interpretations of history and historiography. She wrote extensively on intellectual history, with a focus on Britain and the Victorian era, as well as on contemporary society and culture.

Reviews

[Mary Catelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of interesting essays.

Reflections on a quote by Lionel Trilling. Discussion of the famous quote -- "No man is a hero to his valet" -- and its famous amendment -- "No man is a hero to his valet. This is not because the hero is not a hero, but because the valet is a valet" -- in a context of heroes and villains. Marx and John Stuart Mill. Nationalism. Pomo history. And one nostalgic look at footnotes and their rules.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mirroring "The Abolition of man", Himmelfarb decries the loss of objectivity in modern society, especially in the area of learning. An excellent read.

[Spectre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Textbook like series of 7 essays discussing the negative impact of post modernist scholarship in the fields of literary and literary criticisms, philosophy, and history. The author writes that "... there is an intimate, pervasive relationship between what happens in our schools and universities, in the intellectual and artistic communities, and what happens in society and polity." Her arguments are well researched and persuasive and should be a required read for serious readers and critics.