Product Review

I'm actually writing this review probably five years at least after reading this book for the first time, which just proves my title. Yesterday in fact, the full phrase from which the title is derived came into my head, "tell the truth and shame the devil." This book is not just an exhortation on the virtues of truth telling, but is a courageous act of truth-telling in itself. It runs the gamut of subjects from Shakespeare to Auden and discusses everything from honesty to art making. Beautiful, inspired, thought provoking and a real pleasure to read as well. Alan Jacobs is a truly gifted essayist, who draws seemingly disparate subjects together so naturally that you're surprised you never saw the connection before, and who also has a talent for taking on heady, scholarly subjects with a relaxed and conversational style. This book is in the category of "books I'd try to take with me if my house were on fire."