Overview

How the book of Samuel offers a timeless meditation on the dilemmas of statecraftThe book of Samuel is universally acknowledged as one of the supreme achievements of biblical literature. Yet the book's anonymous author was more than an inspired storyteller. The author was also an uncannily astute observer of political life and the moral compromises and contradictions that the struggle for power inevitably entails. The Beginning of Politics mines the story of Israel's first two kings to unearth a natural history of power, providing a forceful new reading of what is arguably the first and greatest work of Western political thought.Through stories such as Saul's madness, David's murder of Uriah, the rape of Tamar, and the rebellion of Absalom, the author of Samuel deepens our understanding not only of the necessity of sovereign rule but also of its costs-to the people it is intended to protect and to those who wield it. Moshe Halbertal and Stephen Holmes show how these beautifully crafted narratives cut to the core of politics, offering a timely meditation on the dark side of sovereign power and the enduring dilemmas of statecraft.

Full Product Details

9780691191683

Table of Contents

Reviews

World's 2017 Book of the Year in History

This is a superb study of a superb book. --Shmuel Ben-Gad, Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews Brilliant. --Brent Chaim Spodek, Times of Israel Although an investigation of political power in Old Testament writings might be useful in squaring certain passages, the real value here is exploring these books as a first look into the dynamics of early politics. --Library Journal A brilliant analysis. --Marvin Olasky, World World's 2017 Book of the Year in History

oeThis is a superb study of a superb book. Shmuel Ben-Gad, Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews oeAlthough an investigation of political power in Old Testament writings might be useful in squaring certain passages, the real value here is exploring these books as a first look into the dynamics of early politics. Library Journal World (TM)s 2017 Book of the Year in oeHistory oeBrilliant. Brent Chaim Spodek, Times of Israel oeA brilliant analysis. Marvin Olasky, World

Author Information

Moshe Halbertal is the Gruss Professor of Law at New York University and the John and Golda Cohen Professor of Jewish Philosophy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Stephen Holmes is the Walter E. Meyer Professor of Law at New York University.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available