Praise for The People and the Books: 18 Classics of Jewish Literature "Kirsch [is] one of our most wide-ranging and perceptive literary critics."--Robert Alter, New York Times "Our generation, in which many Jews can't even name the Five Books of Moses, might not deserve Adam Kirsch, but we are lucky to have him. Mr. Kirsch is one of America's finest literary critics--I would gladly read him on anything from Genesis to a Geico commercial."--Dara Horn, Wall Street Journal "Kirsch interrogates some of the very basic assumptions of the American Jewish mainstream with love and with firmness."--Jesse Bernstein, Jewish Exponent "Throughout these thoughtful and graceful pieces, Kirsch devotes considerable attention to the diversity and complexity of American Jewish fiction, but his real interest is the interface between literature and religion throughout the Western canon . His work reflects a keen appreciation of the diversity of literature and a sharp critical mind."--Kathryn Ruth Bloom, On the Seawall "From one of our most distinguished public intellectuals and an indispensable voice on matters literary and spiritual, Adam Kirsch's collection of essays on poetry and religion shows him at his very best.

"--David Mikics, author of Slow Reading in a Hurried Age.