Guelzo and Hankins Argue for Western Canon in 1,700-Page Textbook The Golden Thread
Encounter Books has released The Golden Thread: A History of the Western Tradition, a comprehensive two-volume textbook spanning 1,700 pages, authored by historians Allen Guelzo and James Hankins. This work underscores the significance of exploring Western civilization through its language, literature, and arts. Guelzo, who wrote the second volume titled The Modern and Contemporary West, takes an unconventional approach by focusing on Western music, literature, and visual arts. He dedicates eleven pages to Johann Sebastian Bach, commending his cantata "Ich habe genug" and noting Pietist influences. Guelzo critiques Wagner while praising Brahms and Tchaikovsky, asserting that Bach elevated Western music to a profound art form. The reviewer remarks on the book's extensive scope and questions the potential for deep student engagement.
Key facts
- The Golden Thread: A History of the Western Tradition is a two-volume, 1,700-page textbook published by Encounter Books
- Its authors are historians Allen Guelzo and James Hankins
- Guelzo wrote volume two, The Modern and Contemporary West
- Guelzo devotes eleven pages to Johann Sebastian Bach and three to Antonio Vivaldi
- Guelzo identifies two Pietist characteristics in Bach's cantatas: a deep awareness of sin and a desire for intimacy with Jesus Christ
- Guelzo praises the cantata written for February 2, 1727, "Ich habe genug"
- A three-page spread titled "Wagner, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky" places Dvorak alongside Charles Ives
- The authors' emphasis on Western art is expected to limit the book's use mainly to religiously affiliated high schools and colleges
Entities
Artists
- Allen Guelzo
- James Hankins
- Johann Sebastian Bach
- Antonio Vivaldi
- Claudio Monteverdi
- Richard Wagner
- Johannes Brahms
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Joseph Haydn
- Antonin Dvorak
- Charles Ives
Institutions
- Encounter Books
Locations
- Italy