“A searching examination of Leo Strauss’s defense of political philosophy and a fine, sure to be controversial, collection of essays by old hands and new.”

Harvey C. Mansfield, Harvard University

“What is Political Philosophy? is Strauss’s most comprehensive, and arguably most introductory, work. But the fact that each chapter focuses on key themes more fully elaborated elsewhere creates the need for a systematic supplementary text. With this collection of essays, the reader is afforded helpful guidance to the way each of the chapters relates to, illuminates, and is illuminated by other major treatments of the same themes by Strauss. The book will attract a broad readership among the many who are involved in or attentive to the ongoing debate over Strauss’s controversial thought.”

Thomas L. Pangle, University of Texas at Austin

“Lively interest in the work and legacy of Strauss continues as does controversy over what he did—and did not—argue for. This collection of essays demonstrates an expository thoroughness that will be of great interest to those who read them alongside the Strauss essays themselves. One doubts this will clear away the controversy, but one can hope that it will promote a more serious, engaged, and sympathetic debate.”

Timothy Fuller, Colorado College

“With Leo Strauss’s Defense of the Philosophic Life, Rafael Major has produced an outstanding volume distinctive among the many books treating Strauss’s thought for its attempts to read Strauss as closely as Strauss reads other philosophers. The essays accomplish expertly this task with one of the most interesting and revealing of Strauss’s books, What is Political Philosophy?, covering the entire range of Strauss’s interpretations from Xenophon to the twentieth century.”

Richard Velkley, Tulane University

“Rafael Major has put together a fitting tribute to the thought of Leo Strauss. Leo Strauss’s Defense of the Philosophic Life brings together excellent essays by major scholars on each of the chapters of Strauss’s book. Of the recent works on Strauss, this is among the best. . . . An essential element in any collection of works in politics and philosophy.”

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