The Guide to the Perplexed

""Combining mastery of Arabic and Hebrew with their intimate knowledge of Medieval Jewish and Islamic philosophy, Goodman and Lieberman have produced a fresh, accurate, and readable translation of the original Arabic of Maimonides' masterpiece. This will be a major contribution to Maimonidean scholarship and an indispensable tool for students of the field."" --Paul B. Fenton, Université Paris-Sorbonne ""Goodman and Lieberman's translation and commentary sets a new standard for the study of Maimonides. No book presents his masterpiece in a clearer or more thorough manner. Scholarly discussions of Maimonides will be referring to Goodman and Lieberman's contribution for years to come."" --Kenneth Seeskin, Northwestern University ""Goodman and Lieberman's work is a lifetime accomplishment. Had Maimonides himself composed his essay in modern English, he would probably have chosen the style of this version."" --Aharon Maman, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem ""The new and annotated translation of The Guide to the Perplexed by Lenn E. Goodman and Phillip I. Lieberman of Vanderbilt University is a masterpiece and a tour de force. This book is not to be read lightly. It needs to be studied carefully, and kept as a valuable reference.""--Raphael Jospe, Jewish Christian Relations ""Untethered by the constraints of strict literalism, this translation prioritizes readability and flow, making Rambam's profound ideas more accessible to a broader audience by presenting the subject matter in a way that resonates with contemporary readers. A welcome contribution to the ongoing study of the Guide, this edition is sure to spur renewed interest and engagement with the timeless classic. The difficulty of reading the Guide is no longer an excuse for putting off reading this seminal work of Torah thought.""--Rabbi Shnayor Burton, Jewish Action ""It is... with celebration and no small measure of relief that we finally welcome a readable, enlightening version of Maimonides's philosophical magnum opus. The Guide to the Perplexed: A New Translation, translated by Lenn Goodman and Phillip Lieberman--a philosopher and a historian, both professors at Vanderbilt University--is little short of a revelation.""--J. J. Kimche, First Things ""Goodman and Lieberman's modern and lucid translation with accompanying footnotes is sure to become the standard English translation for the next generation and beyond.... This translation is highly recommended and belongs on the shelf of every comprehensive Jewish library.""--David Tesler, Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews ""[I]f someone wants to study Rambam the rabbi who was also a philosopher, in contrast to Rambam the follower of Aristotle (as he understood him) who pretended to be a rabbi, Goodman and Lieberman are your best guides to the Guide.""--Menachem Kellner, Tradition ""A magnificent scholarly achievement. Synthesizing the vast research about the production, reception, and interpretation of the Guide and displaying profound knowledge of the history of Western philosophy, this highly readable translation enables contemporary readers to wrestle anew with the perplexity at the heart of Jewish philosophy: how to reconcile human reason and divine revelation."" --Hava Tirosh-Samuelson, Arizona State University ""At long last: an edition of the Guide with a full scholarly apparatus and a sensitivity to the beauty and nuances of the Arabic language. Goodman and Lieberman have gifted us, seasoned scholars and beginner readers alike, with a much-needed rendition of this culturally central text."" --Aaron W. Hughes, University of Rochester ""Goodman and Lieberman see the conversational style as essential to Rambam's pedagogical project. Therefore, they made preserving the fluidity and emotional register of the book a priority in their translation. The result is a text that is a pleasure to read while containing ample citations and commentary to ensure that the careful student does not venture far from the author's original intent."" --Josh Frankel, Lehrhaus ""Maimonides' Guide has been a Jewish classic for over 800 years. This new translation by two leading Arabists is not only highly accurate, but also clear, lively and instructive. Its rich notes, with their discussions of the philosophical issues involved, make Maimonides' philosophy, with its many secrets, accessible to a new generation of readers."" --Daniel J. Lasker, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev