Joyfully Serious Man: The Life of Robert Bellah

Robert Bellah (1927–2013) was a sociologist who crossed disciplinary boundaries to understand religion as a cultural phenomenon and a way to fathom the depths of the human condition. A Joyfully Serious Man is the definitive biography of this towering figure in modern intellectual life, by Matteo Bortolini, who describes his exile from the United States during the McCarthy years, personal tragedies, and experiments with sexuality. Bellah championed intellectual openness and innovation through his opposition to secularization and his ideas about the enduring tensions between individualism and community in American society.

Format: Hardback
Length: 528 pages
Publication date: 19 October 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Robert Bellah (1927–2013) was a highly influential social scientist of the 20th century, known for his interdisciplinary approach to understanding religion as a cultural phenomenon and a means of exploring the human condition. This captivating biography, titled "A Joyfully Serious Man," offers a definitive account of his life and career. Written by Matteo Bortolini, the book draws upon personal papers and extensive interviews with those who knew Bellah, providing a rich and revealing portrait of an extraordinary scholar and a turbulent individual.

Bellah's journey began in the United States, where he pursued a successful academic career. However, his life took a dramatic turn during the McCarthy era, when he faced exile due to his political beliefs. Despite this setback, Bellah continued to pursue his intellectual pursuits, advocating for intellectual openness and innovation while steadfastly opposing secularization as a decline of religion.

One of Bellah's most significant contributions to social science was his understanding of religion as a mysterious human institution that brings together individual and collective experiences. Bortolini explores how Bellah championed intellectual openness and innovation through his relentless opposition to any notion of secularization, emphasizing the enduring tensions between individualism and community in American society.

Through nearly two decades of research, "A Joyfully Serious Man" offers a revelatory chronicle of a leading public intellectual who was both a transformative thinker and a restless, passionate seeker. The book sheds light on Bellah's personal tragedies, his experiments with sexuality, and his unwavering commitment to social justice and human understanding.

In conclusion, "A Joyfully Serious Man" is a must-read for anyone interested in the life and work of Robert Bellah, a towering figure in modern intellectual life. Through its comprehensive and insightful narrative, the book provides a deep appreciation for Bellah's intellectual legacy and his enduring contribution to social science.

Weight: 892g
Dimension: 166 x 243 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691204406