The Essential Reinhold Niebuhr

Theologian, ethicist, and political analyst, Reinhold Niebuhr was a towering figure of twentieth-century religious thought. Now newly repackaged, this important book gathers the best of Niebuhr's essays together in a single volume. Selected, edited, and introduced by Robert McAfee Brown--a student and friend of Niebuhr's and himself a distinguished theologian--the works included here testify to the brilliant polemics, incisive analysis, and deep faith that characterized the whole of Niebuhr's life.

"This fine anthology makes available to a new generation the thought of one of the most penetrating and rewarding of twentieth-century minds. Reinhold Niebuhr remains the great illuminator of the dark conundrums of human nature, history and public policy."--Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.
"Sparkling gems. . . brought from the shadows of history into contemporary light. Beautifully selected and edited, they show that Niebuhr's fiery polemics and gracious assurances still speak with power to us today."--Roger L. Shinn
"An extremely useful volume."--David Brion Davis, New York Review of Books
"This collection, which brings together Niebuhr's most penetrating and enduring essays on theology and politics, should demonstrate for a new generation that his best thought transcends the immediate historical setting in which he wrote. . . . [Brown's] introduction succinctly presents the central features of Niebuhr's life and thought."--Library Journal
This collection, which brings together Niebuhr's most penetrating and enduring essays on theology and politics, should demonstrate for a new generation that his best thought transcends the immediate historical setting in which he wrote. . . . The anthology is ably edited by Robert McAfee Brown, whose introduction succinctly presents the central features of Niebuhr's life and thought.--Library Journal

"A useful introduction . . . concentrated on Niebuhr's theological essays; most of those collected here had gone out of print. . . . Wise and humanistic essays."--Publishers Weekly

This splendid volume has very great potential as ecumenically significant, useful to Catholics and Protestants alike.--Choice

This volume is certain to take its place alongside other notable collections of Niebuhr's work.--Douglas F. Ottati, Interpretation

For the person interested in religious interpretations of human life and satisfied to rest in paradox, this book will be most rewarding.--Ethics

[A] useful, accessible collection.--Thomas Johnson, Christian Science Monitor

"No one interested in theology, politics or human nature can afford to pass over [this] book."--Roger Haight, America

An extremely useful volume.--David Brion Davis, New York Review of Books

"[A] judiciously selection of Niebuhr's essays, addresses, sermons and prayers. . . . Niebuhr is presented accurately and powerfully."--Robert Benne, Los Angeles Times

A fine collection of largely theological essays.--Ernest W. Lefever, American Spectator

This fine anthology makes available to a new generation the thought of one of the most penetrating and rewarding of twentieth-century minds. Reinhold Niebuhr remains the great illuminator of the dark conundrums of human nature, history, and public policy.--Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.

Sparkling gems . . . brought from the shadows of history into contemporary light. Beautifully selected and edited, they show that Niebuhr's fiery polemics and gracious assurances still speak with power to us today.--Roger L. Shinn, Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics Emeritus, Union Theological Seminary

"A long-needed and skillfully chosen introduction to the writings of an influential theologian who left a lasting impact on American political thought."--Ronald Steel

An excellent selection of Niebuhr's essays. Brown's perceptive introduction poses the key questions for interpreting Niebuhr's work. This collection will relieve a large number of Niebuhr's followers who have been unable to get hold of the out-of-print works included here and will spark an interest in younger readers who know little about Niebuhr.--Richard Fox, author of Reinhold Niebuhr: A Biography

"The Essential Reinhold Niebuhr is a treasure of little-known essays and sermons framed by a brilliant introduction. It reminds us, once again, how eloquently Niebuhr speaks to the problems of our age."--Peter Beinart, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations (on the new edition)