Martin Buber: The Hidden Dialogue (20th Century Political Thinkers) [Paperback]

Dan Avnon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0847686884 | ISBN-13: 978-0847686889 | Publication Date: May 19, 1998

In Martin Buber: The Hidden Dialogue, Dan Avnon analyzes and reconstructs Buber's corpus of mature writings. Avnon's novel reading of Buber's diverse writings on the Bible, Christianity, Judaism, philosophy, socialism, Zionism, and the Jewish-Arab conflict is based on his discovery of a 'hidden' code of writing that grants Buber's apparently eclectic works and literary styles a coherent and unifying hermeneutic center. The term 'hidden dialogue' refers to the dialogue that takes place between reader and text, between diverse communities, and between humanity and creation. An essential introduction to Buber's work and his unique approach to writing, this book's solution to 'the Buber enigma' is fascinating reading and a valuable addition to scholarship on Buber, political philosophy, hermeneutics, and biblical interpretation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is a fine 'ab intra' journey that accompanies Buber to the hidden source of Israel's heart, forever covered up by Jacob's descendants and modern, merely clever philosophers. The journey unseals the heart of Buber's mature summons to world history, his subversive prophecy, and Avnon's tough querying of an anguished cry from an open heart. (Elliott Levine )

By taking Buber's way of interpreting the Hebrew Bible through "guiding words" [teaching, testimony, disciples, opening the heart, turning] and applying it to Buber's own writings, Dan Avnon has discovered an essential core of Buber's thought. This core unites Buber's seemingly disparate work in interpreting the Hebrew Bible, retelling Hasidic tales, pointing toward the life of dialogue, restructuring society toward a "community of communities," and Zionism. Martin Buber: The Hidden Dialogue is a bold and exciting book that will fascinate not only readers the world over who are familiar with Buber's work but also many who do not yet know Buber yet are, like him, seekers of the 'hidden light.' (Maurice Friedman )

Avnon's book will inspire more readers to encounter Buber in this way. (Shofar )

This book will be of value to those with a substantial interest in Buber. (Michael A. Principe Philosophy In Review )

About the Author

Dan Avnon is senior lecturer of political science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is editor of a number of books, including The Israeli Parties Law: Between a Legal Framework and Democratic Norms. The author of numerous essays in political theory and comparative politics, he also wrote the script for In Search of the Lost Tribes (a 13-part documentary aired on Israel's Independent Television, 1996). He is editor of Squaring the Circle: Liberalism Between Promise and Practice (forthcoming from Routledge).

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (May 19, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847686884
• ISBN-13: 978-0847686889
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,967,978 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good One, November 16, 2011

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Daniela Rubin - See all my reviews

This review is from: Martin Buber: The Hidden Dialogue (20th Century Political Thinkers) (Paperback)

A very interesting, well written important book, A "must" to all Buber's Fans; and Important to all political theory students. Highly Reccomended!