The Controversialist: Arguments with Everyone, Left Right and Center

Martin Peretz, a prominent figure in the 1960s civil rights and anti-war movements, has written a book tracing his personal history alongside the cultural and political centers of Harvard, Wall Street, and Washington. The New Republic, under his leadership, was known for its expert takes on important issues, and Peretz's insights into his relationships with prominent writers, thinkers, businessmen, activists, and politicians are original and illuminating. The book explores the ideals of liberalism, democracy, and Zionism that have been the focus of Peretz's life and considers what will come next now that those ideals are no longer assured.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 14 September 2023
Publisher: Permuted Press

Martin Peretz, a prominent figure in the civil rights and anti-war movements of the 1960s, has a remarkable personal history intertwined with the cultural and political centers of Harvard, Wall Street, and Washington. Spanning nearly four decades at the helm of the New Republic, Peretz has left an indelible mark on the political landscape.

As the publisher and editor-in-chief of the New Republic from 1974 to 2012, Peretz was a familiar presence on the political scene. Under his leadership, the magazine gained a reputation for being fresh, erudite, contrarian, and brave. It was a go-to source for those seeking the most distinctive expert takes on domestic and international issues, cultural and political matters.

The Controversialist, Peretz's autobiography, takes readers on a journey from his native Bronx to the same rooms as some of the most prominent writers, thinkers, businessmen, activists, and politicians of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Peretz, known for his uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time, offers insightful perspectives into his relationships with these individuals, many of whom were his students, teachers, colleagues, friends, and even enemies.

Through his examination of the personalities at the center of significant events that have defined the postwar and neoliberal decades, Peretz makes a compelling argument for the ideals that have been the focus of his life: liberalism, democracy, and Zionism. He revisits this rich life, considering what will come next now that these ideals are no longer assured.

The Controversialist is a testament to Peretz's remarkable life and career. It provides a glimpse into the political, cultural, and social landscapes of the past several decades and offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing society decades. Peretz's writing is engaging, thought-provoking, and provocative, making it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of modern society.

Weight: 602g
Dimension: 160 x 235 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781637582275