Critical Crossings: The New York Intellectuals in Postwar America

The New York Critics were a group of writers and thinkers who founded, edited, and wrote for influential magazines such as Partisan Review, Politics, Commentary, and Dissent. They adopted a pragmatic criticism that had a profound influence on the American intellectual community, rejecting ideological, visionary, and romantic outlooks. They were pitted against antagonists such as the Communists and their sympathizers, the Beat writers, and the New Left, and the book explores the paradoxes and dilemmas that confront all intellectuals.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 334 pages
Publication date: 19 August 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

The post-World War II era saw a surge of interest among American writers in criticism, with many considering it a vital act of intellectual expression. In his book, Neil Jumonville delves into the group of writers and thinkers who founded, edited, and contributed to influential magazines such as Partisan Review, Politics, Commentary, and Dissent. These individuals rejected ideological, visionary, and romantic outlooks, instead embracing a pragmatic criticism that had a profound impact on the American intellectual community. By placing pragmatism at the center of intellectual activity, the New York Critics sought to redefine the role of the intellectual in the postwar world.

However, their pursuit of intellectual excellence led them to adopt a cultural elitism that opposed mass culture. They were determined to combat any form of absolutist thought and found themselves at odds with various opponents, including the Communists, Beat writers, and the New Left. Jumonville's book explores the paradoxes and dilemmas faced by all intellectuals, offering insights into what it means to be an intellectual in today's world.

This title is part of UC Press' Voices Revived program, which celebrates the University of California Press' commitment to discovering and nurturing exceptional writing. By publishing works that challenge conventional thinking and expand our understanding of the world, UC Press strives to contribute to the intellectual discourse of our time.

Weight: 499g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520335103