Leo Strauss

A major, groundbreaking biography that traces the intellectual development of one of the most important political thinkers of the twentieth century Since political theorist Leo Strausss death in 1973, American interpreters have heatedly debated his intellectual legacy. Daniel Tanguay recovers Strauss from the atmosphere of partisan debate that has dominated American journalistic, political, and academic discussions of his work. Tanguay offers in crystal-clear prose the first assessment of the whole of Strausss thought, a daunting task owing to the vastness and scope of Strausss writings. This comprehensive overview of Strausss thought is indispensable for anyone seeking to understand his philosophy and legacy. Tanguay gives special attention to Strausss little-known formative years, 1920-1938, during which the philosopher elaborated the theme of his research, what he termed the theological-political problem. Tanguay shows the connection of this theme to other major elements in Strausss thought, such as the Quarrel between the Ancients and Moderns, the return to classical natural right, the art of esoteric writing, and his critique of modernity. In so doing, the author approaches what is at the heart of Strausss work: God and politics. Rescuing Strauss from polemics and ill-defined generalizations about his ideas, Tanguay provides instead an important and timely analysis of a major philosophical thinker of the twentieth century.