"As a prophetic voice among leftists, Richard Rorty foresaw how the 'culture wars' polarized and paralyzed democratic politics. Jacob Goodson offers a sympathetic account of Rorty's sincere regrets over the 'academic Left' and its focus on identity politics rather than capitalism's victims. During the 1990s, Rorty predicted America's descent into tribalism, a 'strongman' president, mass violence, a second Great Depression, and capitalism's disbanding of democracy. This book must be read by anyone hoping that philosophy can re-awaken to its responsibility for our collective welfare." --John Shook, University at Buffalo, New York "Certainly scholars will find Jacob Goodson's The Dark Years? is a provocative reading that brings together insights regarding Richard Rorty's philosophy of religion and political philosophy in novel ways. However, this work does so much more! As a meditation on the significance of hope--even when hope appears in its most melancholic timbre--Goodson provides readers a vision of political imagination that goes beyond simplistic trust in contemporary politics or rejection of civic participation." --Adam Pryor, Bethany College "The most comprehensive and insightful treatment to date of 'the philosopher who predicted Trump,' this timely and important book speaks to vital issues of our day--populism, authoritarianism, neoliberalism, hope and fear, sympathy and shame. In lively prose, Goodson interprets Rorty's prophetic writings on religion and politics as charting a course for America to exit its dark years, revealing an undiscovered Rorty committed to a Christian love ethic of charity and justice.

" --Chris Voparil, Union Institute & University "Goodson's adept and prophetic critique of Rorty's predictions of 'the dark years' moves beyond Rorty's far future focus on 'social hope' to advocate a rejection of neo-liberalism in favor of a much-needed melancholic, pedagogical, and redemptive hope in the here and now." --Ann W. Duncan, Center for Geographies of Justice, Goucher College.