The Harper Dictionary of Modern Thought, Second Edition (Inscribed by Daniel Patrick Moynihan to William Safire with a four-page letter from Moynihan to Safire discussing Moynihan's entry on Ethnicity)

A copy of the second edition of this intellectual reference inscribed by U.S. Senator and U.N. Ambassador Daniel Moynihan -- who contributed an entry on "ethnicity" to the volume -- to legendary New York Times editorial page columnist William Safire. In addition, Moynihan included with the book an engrossing four-page personal letter on his U.S. Senate stationery to Safire. The letter is a delightfully sophisticated discussion of intellectual resources, the evolution of ideas, and the forces that motivate peoples at the political and geo-political level. A fascinating window into discourse between public intellectuals in positions of influence in the Cold War era and of the depth and caliber of thinking of at least some prominent people in civic life. Among the subjects covered in the letter are Moynihan's description of his general enthusiasm for the Dictionary of Modern Thought as one of three essential references, the story of his suggestion to editor Alan Bullock that a section on ethnicity be included in the second volume, and most importantly, his theory that ethnicity is a greater historical force than ideology. On the latter subject, he references discussions with Nathan Glazer as critical in shaping his thinking on the subject. (At the bottom of the last page, Moynihan CCs the letter to Glazer.) Among intriguing observations in the letter: "Apart from Richard Nixon we really haven't had a President in the era of the cold war who thought much about the social theories of our adversaries." Inscribed by Moynihan to William Safire on the front endpaper and signed. "For Bill Safire, Words, Words.!" The letter is typed with Monyihan's signature at the end. A small, blank sheet of Moynihan's U.S. Senate Stationery marks the page with the "Ethnicity" entry.…