"This collection, which brings together Niebuhr's most penetrating and enduring essays on theology and politics, should demonstrate for a new generation that his best thought transcends the immediate historical setting in which he wrote. . . . The anthology is ably edited by Robert McAfee Brown, whose introduction succinctly presents the central features of Niebuhr's life and thought."-Library Journal "A useful introduction . . . concentrated on Niebuhr's theological essays; most of those collected here had gone out of print. . . . Wise and humanistic essays."-Publishers Weekly "This fine anthology makes available to a new generation the thought of one of the most penetrating and rewarding of twentieth-century minds. Reinhold Niebuhr remains the great illuminator of the dark conundrums of human nature, history, and public policy."-Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. "Sparkling gems . . . brought from the shadows of history into contemporary light. Beautifully selected and edited, they show that Niebuhr's fiery polemics and gracious assurances still speak with power to us today."-Roger L. Shinn, Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics Emeritus, Union Theological Seminary "A long-needed and skillfully chosen introduction to the writings of an influential theologian who left a lasting impact on American political thought."-Ronald Steel "An excellent selection of Niebuhr's essays. Brown's perceptive introduction poses the key questions for interpreting Niebuhr's work. This collection will relieve a large number of Niebuhr's followers who have been unable to get hold of the out-of-print works included here and will spark an interest in younger readers who know little about Niebuhr."-Richard Fox, author of Reinhold Niebuhr: A Biography "The Essential Reinhold Niebuhr is a treasure of little-known essays and sermons framed by a brilliant introduction. It reminds us, once again, how eloquently Niebuhr speaks to the problems of our age."-Peter Beinart, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations (on the new edition)