Spiritual Radical: Abraham Joshua Heschel in America, 1940-1972 [Hardcover]

Edward K. Kaplan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 2007

Born in Warsaw, raised in a Hasidic community, and reaching maturity in secular Jewish Vilna and cosmopolitan Berlin, Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972) escaped Nazism and immigrated to the United States in 1940. This lively and readable book tells the comprehensive story of his life and work in America, his politics and personality, and how he came to influence not only Jewish debate but also wider religious and cultural debates in the postwar decades. A worthy sequel to his widely-praised biography of Heschel's early years, Edward Kaplan's new volume draws on previously unseen archives, FBI files, interviews with people who knew Heschel, and analyses of his extensive writings. Kaplan explores Heschel's shy and private side, his spiritual radicalism, and his vehement defence of the Hebrew prophets' ideal of absolute integrity and truth in ethical and political life. Of special interest are Heschel's interfaith activities, including a secret meeting with Pope Paul VI during Vatican II, his commitment to civil rights with Martin Luther King, Jr., his views on the state of Israel, and his opposition to the Vietnam War. A tireless challenger to spiritual and religious complacency, Heschel stands as a dramatically important witness.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This is a prodigiously researched, sound, and important book. Spiritual Radical  is a substantial achievement, a work of love and devotion and real biographical acumen.”—Steven Zipperstein, Koshland Professor in Jewish Culture and History, Stanford University

(Steven Zipperstein 20081001)

“This second volume of Kaplan’s biography of Abraham Joshua Heschel is an important work by any standard. The care with which it is assembled and the research upon which it is based is truly inspiring. Spiritual Radical is clearly written, insightful, honest.”—Adam Seligman, author of Modest Claims, Dialogues and Essays on Tolerance and Tradition

(Adam Seligman 20070901)

"This religiously contentious world needs the noble witness of Abraham Joshua Heschel more than ever. Edward K. Kaplan''s lucid and compelling account of Heschel''s life in America is an urgently important book."—James Carroll, author of House of War

(James Carroll )

“Kaplan has written a biography that will be appreciated and enjoyed by all those who struggle to be at home in America, and for all those who struggle to be at home with God.”—Martin Kavka, Florida State University

(Martin Kavka )

"During a time when deep religious belief is so often associated with intolerance and intransigence, it is refreshing to be reminded that Abraham Joshua Heschel and Martin Luther King, Jr., once joined in a prophetic, morally courageous pursuit of peace and social justice."—Clayborne Carson, Director, Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute at Stanford University

(Clayborne Carson )

"This is a meticulously researched, beautifully written biography that captures the life and thought of a great man."—Harold Kasimow, Shofar

(Harold Kasimow Shofar )

"Kaplan presents [Heschel] through a prism that is at once objective and warm. This is a book to be appreciated by academics, rabbis and general readers alike."—Richard Libowitz, The Reconstructionist

(Richard Libowitz The Reconstructionist )

"Kaplan deserves praise for writing a well-documented account of Heschel''s life and activities between 1940 and his death in 1972."—Jason Kalman, American Jewish Archives Journal

(Jason Kalman American Jewish Archives Journal )

"Spiritual Radical: Abraham Joshua Heschel in America provides a fascinating and much-needed acount of this legendary figure''s experiences in America."—Noam Pianko, American Jewish History

(Noam Pianko American Jewish History )

About the Author

Edward K. Kaplan is Kevy and Hortense Kaiserman Professor in the Humanities at Brandeis University where he teaches in French, comparative literature, and religious studies. He has been writing on Heschel for many years, and his publications include Holiness in Words: A.J. Heschel's Poetics of Piety.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 544 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (September 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300115407
• ISBN-13: 978-0300115406
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #503,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Radically Amazing - A Masterpiece!, April 22, 2008

By 

Steve Rosner (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spiritual Radical: Abraham Joshua Heschel in America, 1940-1972 (Hardcover)

After completing "Spiritual Radical," I sat on my parent's couch in their NYC apartment, emotionally, if not physically, trembling. A myriad of thoughts and feelings streamed through me as if I were a video that one watches on the internet. On the ride back home to Brooklyn, I composed--in my mind--what easily could become a 20+ page essay, "Was Abraham Joshua Heschel A Prophet?" That's how moving and evocative I found Professor Kaplan's biography to be.

Besides giving me so, so much insight about Heschel, the man, I learned much about Heschel the theologist/philosopher, the historical period in which his work took place, the points of view of the various segments of both Judaism and Christianity--individual, organizational, and theological--and so much more it would take several pages to list them all.

Indeed, words like brilliant, superb, and/or profound to describe the quality of the Kaplan's writing would be understatements! If I may borrow a phrase from the title--even if English language purists would shake their heads--his work evoked in me "radical amazement." For sure, of all the biographies I have read over the years, his is the BEST I have ever come across--surpassing McCollough's "John Adams," and Cook's biography of Elanor Roosevelt, to name two that I esteem. Besides the clarity of the writing, what particularly impresses is how fair he was, given the necessity as a biographer of being truthful to his task, even if that required being critical--at times--of someone he obviously loved.

Finally, I can only imagine the profound and time-consuming labor he must have gone through to determine not only what to put on paper, but what to leave out! I believe his judgment concerning the latter places him, as much or more than anything else, in the top echelon of the vocation of biographers!

Abraham Joshua Heschel -- Spiritual Radical -- is a masterpiece!

Steve Rosner

Brooklyn, NY

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr, Heschel - a modern day prophet, February 6, 2012

By 

ThePrize - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spiritual Radical: Abraham Joshua Heschel in America, 1940-1972 (Hardcover)

Excellent condition, timely service, accurate product description. Very happy with the purchase and the service. Wouldn't hesistate to purchase from this seller in the future.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding biography of an important teacher, November 17, 2007

By 

Daniel Horwitz (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spiritual Radical: Abraham Joshua Heschel in America, 1940-1972 (Hardcover)

The second volume is even better than the first...Kaplan does not idolize Heschel; he shares the frustrations and shortcomings, but also the richness of his writing, his work and his soul.