This book's author was encouraged to publish it by Saul Bellow, whose friendship with the author inspired Ravelstein.
The author of this book described it as "a meditation on the state of our souls." This book cites Jonathan Swift's description of Laputa as an early criticism of the scientific mindset that enabled Soviet tyranny. It argues that Bolero is the only piece of classical music with erotic rhythms, unlike rock music, which is a modern incarnation of the Dionysian of Nietzsche Â– a philosopher whom this book contrasts with Plato. This book's author was encouraged to publish it by Saul Bellow, whose friendship with the author inspired Ravelstein. This book draws on its author's experiences with the takeover of Willard Straight Hall by (*) Black Power activists during protests in 1969. This book states that only Western societies allow the questioning of the rightness of one's own culture, and that this "openness" has degenerated into mindless relativism. For 10 points, name this 1987 book which argues that modern universities mentally impoverish students, a book by Allan Bloom.
The author of this book described it as "a meditation on the state of our souls."
The Closing of the American Mind