Adventures on the Freedom Road: The French Intellectuals in the 20th Century

This was our book club's monthly. I was pleasantly surprised at what I leaned. They say a book is only as good as the journey it takes you on. This book and its varied spotlights, took me all around

The title is descriptive--these are adventures, not investigations. Levy writes about encounters he has had with the many characters of French high-culture, he met so-and-so at a book signing, or in a cafe, this is what they said to each other, and how it was surprising, or disappointing. These encounters are entry-points for meditations on the larger political involvements of these thinkers. This is in no way a comprehensive history, but rather a series of snapshots, mostly embarrassing for those pictured. A good read, but almost gossipy in tone; this book is intended only for those who already have opinions about the people and ideas being discussed.