No Passion Spent

George Steiner -- one of the preeminent essayists and literary thinkers of our era -- here addresses issues of language and the relation of language to literature and to religion. He covers a wide range of subjects, from Homer, Shakespeare, Kafka, Kierkegaard, and Simone Weil to Jewish scripture, religious tradition, and the effects of the Holocaust. At a time when the art of reading and the status of text are threatened, Steiner affirms the primacy of reading in the classical sense. "George Steiner transmits the world of European literature and thought to American audiences better than anyone now writing. No Passion Spent is a valuable and often profound work". -- Alfred Kazin "Brilliantly illuminating prose". -- Alain de Botton, Independent on Sunday "In the search of the depths of Homer, the Bible, Shakespeare and Kafka, and the problematic interplay of Judaism, Classicism, Steiner displays his commanding, polymathic erudition.... Stimulating scope and compelling concerns". -- Kirkus Reviews "All of Steiner's commentary is energized by his fascination with the ancient belief that there are words, texts, or images that speak directly to the nature of existence, in prophecy.... Steiner's view of Western literature makes him ... a unique, powerful and necessary voice". -- Kenneth Baker, San Francisco Chronicle "Astute, provocative, and eye-opening". -- Michael Dirda, Washington Post Book World "Bringing to bear deep erudition and graceful, often lyrical prose, Steiner offers sensitive and insightful readings of his subjects while lamenting the fate of reading in general". -- Library Journal