Combining intellectual history and political theory with aplomb, this book contains many new insights into Aron and Strauss, but in doing so it also gives a fresh account of how phenomenology, variously conceived, offered a means of responding to the crisis of political philosophy provoked by historicism in the twentieth century.

Iain Stewart, University College London, UK

A central part of what defines the enterprise of political philosophy is the effort to draw epic theorists into dialogue with each other. Sophie Marcotte Chénard focuses on a triple theme – history, crisis, judgment – which she illuminates by means of a very productive dialogue between two notable thinkers of the twentieth century, namely Leo Strauss and Raymond Aron. With admirable judiciousness, and on the basis of a reading of European social theory of impressive breadth, Chénard makes clear that the crisis of modernity confronted by leading thinkers of Strauss and Aron's generation is still with us.

Ronald Beiner, University of Toronto, Canada

At some point in their spiritual journey, Western societies were overwhelmed by the blinding evidence of limitless human diversity and historical change. Bereft of their bearings, they embarked on the most ruinous, indeed insane political experiments – communism and nazism. In this masterly study, Sophie Marcotte-Chénard draws our attention to two courageous and discerning minds who endeavored to save or recover right reason as against the preachers of unreason. She sets up an illuminating dialogue between Leo Strauss and Raymond Aron, those rare political philosophers who can mightily contribute to educate and sharpen our political judgement.

Pierre Manent, École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, France