Routledge Ghosts on the Roof: Selected Journalism (Library of Conservative Thought)

Whittaker Chambers is one of the most controversial figures in modern American history a former Communist spy who left the party, testified against Alger Hiss before the House Un-American Activities Committee, and wrote a classic autobiography, Witness. Dismissed by some as a crank, reviled by others as a traitor, Chambers still looms as a Dostoevskian figure over three decades after his death in 1961. A man of profound pessimism, rare vision, and remarkable literary talents, his continuing importance was attested to when Ronald Reagan posthumously awarded him the Medal of Freedom in 1984. Ghosts on the Roof, originally published in 1989, brings together more than fifty short stories, essays, articles, and reviews that originally appeared in Time, Life, National Review, Commonweal, The American Mercury, and the New Masses. Included are essays on Karl Marx, Reinhold Niebuhr, James Joyce, Franz Kafka, George Santayana, Dame Rebecca West, Ayn Rand, and Greta Garbo. These show Chambers at his best, as a peerless historian of ideas. Review -[Ghosts on the Roof] is an important contribution to history and to literature. It will do . . . much to restore the correct perspective. . . . A superb rediscovery of the artistry of a great figure.- --William F. Buckley, Jr. -The world knows Whittaker Chambers best as a philosopher and a hero of liberty. Because of Ghosts on the Roof, it will be reminded that he was also a first-rank critic, an incisive stylist, and all in all one of America's greatest journalists. Terry Teachout's valuable collection will go directly to my most easily reached bookshelf, right next to the well-worn copies of Witness and Cold Friday.- --Richard Nixon -Ghosts on the Roof is an important book. . . . Chambers writes with distinction, compassion, and authority.- --Hilton Kramer -This book is a treasure chest for admirers of Whittaker Chambers such as myself.- --Robert Novak "[Ghosts on the Roof] is an important contribution to history and to literature. It will do . . . much to restore the correct perspective. . . . A superb rediscovery of the artistry of a great figure." --William F. Buckley, Jr. "The world knows Whittaker Chambers best as a philosopher and a hero of liberty. Because of Ghosts on the Roof, it will be reminded that he was also a first-rank critic, an incisive stylist, and all in all one of America's greatest journalists. Terry Teachout's valuable collection will go directly to my most easily reached bookshelf, right next to the well-worn copies of Witness and Cold Friday." --Richard Nixon "Ghosts on the Roof is an important book. . . . Chambers writes with distinction, compassion, and authority." --Hilton Kramer "This book is a treasure chest for admirers of Whittaker Chambers such as myself." --Robert Novak "["Ghosts on the Roof"] is an important contribution to history and to literature. It will do . . . much to restore the correct perspective. . . . A superb rediscovery of the artistry of a great figure." --William F. Buckley, Jr. "The world knows Whittaker Chambers best as a philosopher and a hero of liberty. Because of "Ghosts on the Roof," it will be reminded that he was also a first-rank critic, an incisive stylist, and all in all one of America's greatest journalists. Terry Teachout's valuable collection will go directly to my most easily reached bookshelf, right next to the well-worn copies of "Witness and Cold Friday."" --Richard Nixon ""Ghosts on the Roof" is an important book. . . . Chambers writes with distinction, compassion, and authority." --Hilton Kramer "This book is a treasure chest for admirers of Whittaker Chambers such as myself." --Robert Novak "["Ghosts on the Roof"] is an important contribution to history and to literature. It will do . . . much to restore the correct perspective. . . . A superb rediscovery of the artistry of a great figure." --William F. Buckley, Jr."The world knows Whittaker Chambers best as a philosopher