This book finds a connection between the McCarthy witchhunts of the early 1950s and the decline of American philosophy in the second half of the 20th century. McCumber argues that accusations about communist sympathies drove many American philosophy professors into analytic philosophy and away from metaphysical questions. In the years following the McCarthy witchhunts, American philosophy drifted apart from European philosophy, while at the same time American philosophy departments shrank. Philosophy in America had less and less to do with the practical considerations of everyday life. In the latter half of the book, Professor McCumber reviews the course of western philosophy through the entire 20th century and lays out a program for a revival of philosophy in America that will restore it not only to a central position in academia but to a vital role in the life of the republic. I strongly recommend this book to anybody interested in 20th-century American thought.

In search of histories of recent (analytic) philosophy I came on this book, which pursues the alarming thesis that McCarthyism and analytic philosophy are somehow circumstantially evidenced, a thesis that left me non-plussed, and muttering, 'must be something to Marx's charges'. One often has the feeling one is crossing a desert in this branch of philosophy, but then the same has been said of reading Kant's critiques. But philosophers need not apologize for being bedouins, and this work actually spiked my interest here, not only because it raises the toughest of questions, echoing since the days of the Left Hegelian charges against Hegel with his 'absolute science'.
Interesting, and somewhat unnerving book.

The book "Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye" by Kenneth O'Donnell and David Powers offers a wide variety of information about the life of John F. Kennedy. Focusing on his political life, with which they were deeply involved, the authors give a perspective on the life of President Kennedy that can't be matched by many others, for not many others knew him as well as they did. Unlike a normal, relatively boring biography, this collection of memories about their friend and president contains stories, personality, and detailed information as seen through the eyes of white house aides and friends. I highly recommend this book to learn more about Kennedy and to have a great time in the process.

I am fifteen years old. The reason that I read this book is because I hope one day to be involved in public life. I began this book knowing relatively nothing about Kennedy, except his assination and his line, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." This book gives me information to quench my thirst for knowledge as well as inspire and provide me with information that I will be able to use in the future, which I am only aboe to dream of now.

I love this book and feel that it is a shame that this is out of print. I feel that it is atrocious to think of a person not even attempting to find a copy of this book or not reading it if they have it. To conclude, I feel that this book is well worth the read, and so much more.