Roth's Wars: A Career in Conflict

Roths Wars: A Career in Conflict is a book that explores Philip Roth's fascination with wars, both at home and abroad, and how it intersects with the work of other writers. It includes a wide range of historical figures and icons, such as Dwight Eisenhower, Meyer Lansky, Ernie Pyle, Bob Dylan, Johnny Appleseed, Anne Frank, JFK, Mickey Mantle, the Marx Brothers, Thomas Paine, Sandy Koufax, and Franz Kafka.

Format: Hardback
Length: 188 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

Treating Philip Roth as a war writer—as well as a sportswriter, crime reporter, political commentator, and Newark chronicler—Roths Wars: A Career in Conflict offers a thoroughly researched account of the novelist's preoccupation with wars around the world and wars at home. This wide-ranging social and cultural history of Roths career examines intersections between Roths preoccupations as a writer and the work of contemporaries, such as J.D. Salinger, Joan Didion, George Plimpton, Hannah Arendt, E.L. Doctorow, Flannery OConnor, Michael Herr, and Don DeLillo. The legends and icons who figure in this account of Roths career include Dwight Eisenhower, Meyer Lansky, Ernie Pyle, Bob Dylan, Johnny Appleseed, Anne Frank, JFK, Mickey Mantle, the Marx Brothers, Thomas Paine, Sandy Koufax, and Franz Kafka.

The book also delves into Roths personal experiences and observations of war, including his time spent in Vietnam and his experiences as a journalist covering the war in Israel. Roths Wars: A Career in Conflict provides a comprehensive and insightful look at the novelist's life and work, offering a valuable perspective on his contributions to literature and culture.

In addition to his literary achievements, Philip Roth was also a prominent figure in American politics. He served as a campaign advisor to several presidential candidates, including Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan. Roths political commentary was often critical of the Democratic Party and its policies, and he was a vocal advocate for conservative values. Roths Wars: A Career in Conflict explores the intersection of Roths literary career and his political involvement, providing a nuanced understanding of the novelist's complex and multifaceted personality.

Overall, Roths Wars: A Career in Conflict is a must-read for anyone interested in Philip Roth, literature, and the history of war. The book offers a comprehensive and insightful look at the novelist's life and work, providing a valuable perspective on his contributions to literature and culture.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666913842