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Isaac and Isaiah: The Covert Punishment of a Cold War Heretic
Two high-voltage scholars engage in a bitter conflict in this irresistible tale of principle and politics in the Cold War years
Rancorous and highly public disagreements between Isaiah Berlin and Isaac Deutscher escalated to the point of cruel betrayal in the mid-1960s, yet surprisingly the details of the episode have escaped historians’ scrutiny. In this gripping account of the ideological clash between two of the most influential scholars of Cold War politics, David Caute uncovers a hidden story of passionate beliefs, unresolved antagonism, and the high cost of reprisal to both victim and perpetrator.
Though Deutscher (1907–1967) and Berlin (1909–1997) had much in common—each arrived in England in flight from totalitarian violence, quickly mastered English, and found entry into the Anglo-American intellectual world of the 1950s—Berlin became one of the presiding voices of Anglo-American liberalism, while Deutscher remained faithful to his Leninist heritage, resolutely defending Soviet conduct despite his rejection of Stalin’s tyranny. Caute combines vivid biographical detail with an acute analysis of the issues that divided these two icons of Cold War politics, and brings to light for the first time the full severity of Berlin’s action against Deutscher.
Rancorous and highly public disagreements between Isaiah Berlin and Isaac Deutscher escalated to the point of cruel betrayal in the mid-1960s, yet surprisingly the details of the episode have escaped historians’ scrutiny. In this gripping account of the ideological clash between two of the most influential scholars of Cold War politics, David Caute uncovers a hidden story of passionate beliefs, unresolved antagonism, and the high cost of reprisal to both victim and perpetrator.
Though Deutscher (1907–1967) and Berlin (1909–1997) had much in common—each arrived in England in flight from totalitarian violence, quickly mastered English, and found entry into the Anglo-American intellectual world of the 1950s—Berlin became one of the presiding voices of Anglo-American liberalism, while Deutscher remained faithful to his Leninist heritage, resolutely defending Soviet conduct despite his rejection of Stalin’s tyranny. Caute combines vivid biographical detail with an acute analysis of the issues that divided these two icons of Cold War politics, and brings to light for the first time the full severity of Berlin’s action against Deutscher.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 1, 2023
A marvellous, intellectually rich account of the political, philosophical, cultural interests and commentary of Berlin and Deutscher.
Standing on opposite sides of the Cold War - the establishment liberal versus the dissident Marxist - Berlin’s noted antipathy for Deutscher’s views played a role in affecting Deutscher’s career and the closing off of the possibility for advancement with its consequent opportunities.
While it largely occurred behind closed doors through the mechanism of private letters to distinguished intellectual-political personalities with high-level connections in the academic, literary, and political world denigrating and complaining about Deutscher, some of whom would publicly criticise Deutscher in various publications with Berlin’s encouragement or assistance, Berlin himself never publicly entered the fray. Those who knew and corresponded with him were aware of his antipathy, but otherwise he would appear an objective figure when consulted as to the merits of, for example, an academic appointment for Deutscher.
Standing on opposite sides of the Cold War - the establishment liberal versus the dissident Marxist - Berlin’s noted antipathy for Deutscher’s views played a role in affecting Deutscher’s career and the closing off of the possibility for advancement with its consequent opportunities.
While it largely occurred behind closed doors through the mechanism of private letters to distinguished intellectual-political personalities with high-level connections in the academic, literary, and political world denigrating and complaining about Deutscher, some of whom would publicly criticise Deutscher in various publications with Berlin’s encouragement or assistance, Berlin himself never publicly entered the fray. Those who knew and corresponded with him were aware of his antipathy, but otherwise he would appear an objective figure when consulted as to the merits of, for example, an academic appointment for Deutscher.
September 3, 2018
Really don't know what this book was about to be quite honest.
May 5, 2015
My Amazon review...
http://www.amazon.com/review/R2DU4BXN...
http://www.amazon.com/review/R2DU4BXN...
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews