A provocative and compelling book that explores the complex relationship between democracy and avant-garde art, offering a surprising new perspective on the critical role that the arts play in democratic governance at home and abroad.

• Covers a broad range of topics, from disputes over public art, copyright, and obscenity, to the operations of the House Un-American Activities Committee during the Cold War
• Highlights detailed and at times shocking debates over the role of the rebellious artist within society

What is the future for the Bible, one of the most important books in the world? In this manifesto, Roland Boer explores the idea that the Bible is an unruly and uncontrollable text that has been colonized by church, synagogue, and state.

• Powerfully argues that the Bible needs to be rescued from its abuse by the religious and political right
  
• Considers the history of revolutionary readings of the Bible, from Gerrard Winstanley to the present
  
• Urges a role for the Bible in a new -worldly left-: an alliance between the religious and...

Written by a renowned scholar of critical race theory, The Threat of Race explores how the concept of race has been historically produced and how it continues to be articulated, if often denied, in today's world.

• A major new study of race and racism by a renowned scholar of critical race theory
• Explores how the concept of race has been historically produced and how it continues to be articulated - if often denied - in today's world
• Argues that it is the neoliberal society that fuels new forms of racism
• Surveys race dynamics throughout various regions...

Uses of Literature bridges the gap between literary theory and common-sense beliefs about why we read literature.

• Explores the diverse motives and mysteries of why we read
• Offers four different ways of thinking about why we read literature - for recognition, enchantment, knowledge, and shock
• Argues for a new -phenomenology- in literary studies that incorporates the historical and social dimensions of reading
• Includes examples of literature from a wide range of national literary traditions

In Phenomenal Shakespeare, leading Shakespeare scholar Bruce R. Smith presents an original account for the ways in which Shakespeare's poems and plays continue to resonate with audiences, readers and scholars because of their engagement with the whole body, not just the reading mind.

• An original examination of Shakespeare's appeal written by leading Shakespeare scholar Bruce R. Smith
• Contains insightful examinations of a single Shakespeare sonnet, Venus and Adonis, and King Lear to model the possibilities of historical phenomenology as a better strategy...

The Future of Christian Theology represents a personal manifesto from one of the world's leading theologians, exploring the ways Christian theology in the twenty-first century has been, and can now continue to be, both creative and wise.

• Represents an outstanding and engaging account of the task of theology today
• Offers an insightful description of what makes for discerning and creative theology.
• Written from the perspective of decades of experience, and in close dialogue with theologians of other faiths
• Features a strong interfaith and...

This engaging argument for the future of Jewish theology, written by a renowned Jewish scholar, provides a rounded introduction to the faith, its history, and its place in the modern world.

• Explores foundational Jewish structures and concepts through the discussion and interpretation of Jewish texts
• Argues that we must acknowledge holiness as a ritual and ethical reality in order to heal the rift between different forms of Jewish practice and theology
• Covers historical context as well as the relations between Judaism, Israel and the wider world today
• Speaks...

Timely and beautifully written, New England Beyond Criticism provides a passionate defense of the importance of the literature of New England to the American literary canon, and its impact on the development of spirituality, community, and culture in America.

• An exploration and defense of the prominence of New England's literary tradition within the canon of American literature

• Traces the impact of the literature of New England on the development of spirituality, community, and culture in America

• Includes in-depth studies of work...