Thi. particular wort. is an edited collection of writings by fonner .rodents, colleagues, and bis mentor in
honor of the late, noled American Intellectual historian Arthur A. Ekirch, Jr. Ekirch, a pacifist during
World War II, who served in Civilian Public Service Camp$, laler acbieved academi!: notoriety for his
popular book, The Decline of American Liberalism. During his long and distinguished teaching career at
American University and the University 81 Albany, Ekirch autho.red and edited tn1 books in the field of
American bistory. A committed liberal and individualist, Ekircb was admired by his students for his
encyclopedic knowledge and wit. The signific:ance orlhis collection of scholarly articles and reminiscences
is that the topicS cover a wide range of information .involving the social ideas 011 civillibetties, people and
ideas, and comparative history and ideas a well as brief reflections from fonner students and colleagues as
wella. his mentor, Pultizer Prize wiruting historian, Merle Curti. Among the many students Ekirch taugbt
and mentors were prizeo willl1ing historians such as alter Rundell, Fred Sornkin, Paul Scheips, and Donald
R. McCoy. Also contributing to this special collection were th.e first African American archivist at the
National Archives, fonner president of the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and the former female vice
president of Howard University.
What makes this particular edition especially rewarding is a collection of previously unpublished letters
Ekircb wrote to his tilvorite teacher. Merle Curti, covering Ibe years 1942 to 1968. l1lese letters reveal
Ekirch 's personal concerns ahout the srate of individual freedum during the Second World War and during
the McCarthy period as well as his academic commitment 10 scholarly publication. lbe editors have
carefully selected. appropriate letters, which re..,.1 Ekirch's deep commitment to bis discipline and love of
Ideas. Students wJShmg to learn more about Ekirch, the pacifist, and Ekirch the scholar including the rDle
of history in prDmoting social and economic justice, will see how this book 'examines ~ious effDrts for
chaning peDple's minds with respect to the status quo. Elcirch Fe$l$chrift is a valuable passageway into tbe
daily life of a nOled historian and his impact on the discipline ilself.
