Witness to an Extreme Century: A Memoir
“This stunning book brings alive the story of Robert Jay Lifton's struggles to understand the extremities of the last century to which he was indeed a remarkable witness. His has been a great journey, and we are all richer for his wisdom.” (Charles B. Strozier, author of Until the Fires Stopped Burning: 9/11 and New York City)"Written with the verve of great storytelling and the precision of history, this memoir is a moral meditation that illuminates the age. An exquisite example of how intelligence, erudition, and depth of feeling combine to make redeeming wisdom. A stunning book." (James Carroll, author of Jerusalem, Jerusalem)"Robert J. Lifton’s memoir offers a model of the relationship between introspection and ethical commitment. He writes gracefully and temperately, without rant or jargon, but his is a prophetic voice as he recognizes and names the habits of mind that produce our recurrent inhumanity, demonstrating the compatibility of passion and scholarly investigation – and the necessity for both as we try to acknowledge and transcend the horrors of our times and to take action for a positive future." (Mary Catherine Bateson, author of Composing a Further Life: The Age of Active Wisdom)“Robert Jay Lifton has long served as one of the most important, and profound, witnesses of the 20th century. In this extraordinary memoir he explores his most vital and haunting work, in an engaging voice that is both wise and welcoming for readers." (Greg Mitchell, author of The Age of Wikileaks)“A call for a moral awakening by a deeply compassionate chronicler of our times.” (Kirkus (starred review))"Riveting...As a witness to an extreme century, Lifton continues to challenge us to denounce “the dreadful overall phenomenon we call war’’ and reclaim a role as life-affirming, life-enhancing healers." (Boston Globe)