Bloom in bloom

Just before The Closing of the American Mind appeared in 1987, I remember asking another friend from U of C days whatever happened to Allan Bloom. Even as a student, Allan was someone we expected to hear from on a greater stage. Then, of course, his book became a cause, and part of the reason for its success was due neither to its topic nor its arguments but that its tone portrayed Allan so well. From its pages he emerged as vividly for his readers as he did for friends and acquaintances who knew him head on. That his ideas are not cited by scholars and that his name does not appear in footnotes right now bothers Mr. Parikh ("Letters," August/00). The reasons for that may or may not be valid, but his place in the history of ideas is quite beside the point. Allan, the person, was a star, and it is fitting that a novelist (Saul Bellow) should tell the tale (Ravelstein) of his last shining and setting forever.

George Jackson, AB'51, SM'54, PhD'58
Washington, D.C

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Allan Bloom may not be frequently quoted, but his ideas have been a burr in the saddle of the complacent academics whom he targeted. He's on their minds, and their silence is deafening!!

Norman W. Winkler, MD'65, PhD'70
Orchard Park, New York

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