This concise and penetrating analysis introduces students to the life and thought of one of the giants of twentieth- century French intellectual life. Portraying Raymond Aron as a great defender of reason, moderation, and political sobriety in an era dominated by ideological fervor and philosophical fashion, Brian Anderson demonstrates the centrality of political reason to Aron's philosophy of history, his critique of ideological thinking, his meditations on the perennial problems of peace and war, and the nature of conservative liberalism. This accessible study of Aron's thought and the thought of his contemporaries will enhance any syllabus for classes on modern and contemporary political thought.

"Anderson makes a good case for Aron's subtlety and intelligence. . . and deserves high praise for explicating and elucidating [Aron's] message with impressive analysis and textual fidelity." - The Review of Politics, Fall 1998

"Writing with great clarity of style from a stance of interpretive charity, Anderson helps us to sort out Aron's enormous oeuvre. There is much more to recommend in this densely packed, lucid volume. Anderson's effort to bring the attention of our political theorists back to Aron is worthy of our thanks." - First Things, Nov. 98

"A compelling examination of Aron's contributions to political theory and practice." - Microsoft Network's Reading Forum, August 1998

"In his excellent analysis of Aron's many writings, Anderson (American Enterprise Institute) succeeds in showing their deep, ever reflective political character and in explaining how they qualify as conservatively liberal. The book should be required reading for all interested in modern political and social thought." - CHOICE, October 98

"As an account of the political thought of Raymond Aron, this study has much to recommend it . . . [Anderson's] aims are acheived with elegance and insight." - Political Studies Review, Sept. '99; Vol. 47 No. 4

"Brian C. Anderson attempts to rescue Aron fron relative obscurity by suggesting that what he has to say about modern politics is grounded in a sophisticated understanding of prctical reason. One of the prominent themes of the book is that modern liberal theories have become divorced from the practical concerns and realities of politics through abstract theorizing, which fails to engage with practical politics and lived concerns. Anderson has covered all of these aspects of Aron's work with admirable clarity and has convincingly established the case for understanding Aron's overall intelligibility in terms of political reason. A particular strength of the book is the treatment of Aron's critique of ideology in which the conecpt of a secular religion provides the driving force. The book is to be commended both for the author's lucidity and the strength of the case he makes for taking Aron much more seriously as a social and political analyst." - Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences, Vol.36(1)

"[an] engaging and well-structured book . . ." - History of Political Thought