Review by Dr Pravin Thevathasan
The Search For Redemption In This Life And The Next by David Horowitz Regnery Publishing David Horowitz is famous for his conversion from 1960s radicalism. This book might be thought of as a work of conversion that has not quite happened. Horowitz remembers his Communist father who dreamt of paradise on earth. This book is about those like him who have no religious belief and whose faith in progress is destined to end in disappointment. Like all his writings, it is an easy read. Somewhat similar to some of his other works, it is about a Jewish agnostic and conservative commentator who is searching for the meaning of life. Like some of his other books, his guides are Dostoevsky and Marcus Aurelius. They most certainly are worthy guides. It is interesting to note how important Dostoevsky is for the author. Dostoevsky's father gave up religion for revolution. Dostoevsky gave up revolution for religion. Horowitz's father gave up religion for revolution. Horowitz has long given up on revolution. He still has not accepted religion. Dostoevsky's works are so often about those who seek salvation through revolution. He shows that this goes nowhere. It is the man of faith who asks the "impossible" questions about the meaning of life and has the answers in the act of faith. Horowitz has no faith. Once again, we have a work that asks all the right questions, and ultimately gets nowhere. The book is quite pessimistic, as all agnostic works ought to be.
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