Book · 2018 · History
The Lost History of Liberalism
From Ancient Rome to the Twenty-First Century
Why people recommend it
The Lost History of Liberalism by Helena Rosenblatt is a comprehensive reinterpretation of the history, evolution, and shifting definitions of liberal thought. On The Ezra Klein Show, host Ezra Klein highly recommended the book while introducing the author at the beginning of the episode. Klein explained that he encountered the work during his search to better understand the early history and true meaning of liberalism, noting that it fundamentally changed how he thinks about the subject. Rosenblatt, a professor at the CUNY Graduate Center, traces how the concept of liberalism has transformed over centuries, moving far beyond contemporary political arguments to encompass a rich heritage of moral, social, and religious debates. Klein pointed to the publication as an essential guide for anyone hoping to untangle modern political discourse and rediscover the foundational ideas that shaped Western democratic societies. The book offers a meticulous historical account that challenges common assumptions and sheds light on the actual origins of liberal values.
Who recommended it
- Ezra Klein Recommended
Ezra Klein — 2 mentions
“One of the books I came across in the search is called The Lost History of Liberalism. It's by the story of Helena Rosenblatt.”
“Helena Rosenblatt is a professor at the CUNY Graduate Center. She's the author of Liberal Values, Benjamin Constant and the Politics of Religion, as well as the aforementioned The Lost History of Liberalism, which I highly recommend.”