Uncommon Sense

Uncommon Sense, by James MacGregor Burns (Harper, 196 pp., $6.95). Williams College political science professor Burns is a Democrat. He writes many books. Many of his books are about Democrats. He has written another book about Democrats. See reviewer quote Dr. Burns at random: “The nation is essentially evil and the evil can be exorcised only by turning the system upside down.” “The need is for social analysis.” “Revolution is a serious business.” “The lack of money is only one of the foundations of the edifice of poverty.” “We face the 1970s—and the bicentennial of 1976—with a failing political system and with an overload of explosive potentials for disruption and deadlock.” “[A party fit to govern] must be radically libertarian and egalitarian in both the literal and symbolic sense of that adverb.” “Some of the Republicans’ best talent, from Wayne Morse to John Lindsay, have deserted them.” “There simply is no room in the Democratic Party for conservatives.” “The most vital function of intellectuals will be as prickers of the balloons of consensus.” Hear Dr. Burns howl that reviewer quotes out of context. See reader dash to bookstore. Observe reader read Dr. Burns, in context. Watch reader decide reviewer quite fair to Dr. Burns. d. j. c. brudnoy