Reappraisals

Will be enjoyed most by those familiar with the intellectuals being discussed in the review essays offered in the first half. Also, those unfamiliar with the review essay style of the New York Review of Books may find the format unusual.

Judt can be a harsh critic, and sometimes simply unkind. While I'm no fan of the target, his essay on Althusser came across as just plain bitter and Judt just seemed to be pouring out his disdain for the post-Marxists around him.

However his amazing depth of knowledge about the history and especially intellectual history of 20th century Europe shows in every review. What I like best about Judt is that, while he is a progressive and highly political writer, he has absolutely no patience for the sympathy for the communist experiment that was exhibited by several generations of 20th century intellectuals.

Jewish intellectuals and critiques of Israel get very strong showings, understandable given Judt's own personal background, but there are also fascinating review essays that cover Romania, Belgium, England, Europe vs. US, and the question of the EU.