Certainly Heller's satire of Washington politics during the Nixon administration should stimulate discussion from reaction to a President who prefers to write a book about serving the American public to actually doing so; to a press secretary who excels in equivocation, circular reasoning, evasion, qualifications, and contradiction; to an anti-Semitic Virginian statesman. Particularly provocative should be readers' reactions to Heller's portraits of actual politicians and use of newspaper clippings.

The role Jews have played in American political life is a fascinating topic for consideration. Does a rise to political prominence in Washington require a loss of ethnic identity? And is achieving distinction in academics the primary avenue into the political realm for Jews?

Students and teachers should enjoy discussing Heller's biting depiction of the self-promoting gamesmanship in aca deme and the world of publishing.

1. Why does Bruce Gold have trouble writing about the Jewish experience in...