Norman Finkelstein's I’ll Burn That Bridge When I Get to It: A Book Review

SHOCK AND AWE DEPT.

Norman Finkelstein’s I’ll Burn That Bridge When I Get to It: Heretical Thoughts on Identity Politics, Cancel Culture, and Academic Freedom is a provocative critique of modern leftist movements, identity politics, and the concept of "cancel culture." It challenges--no, skewers--widely accepted norms and influential figures within these realms, offering scathing critiques of both individuals and broader societal trends.

Had I not received it as a Christmas present last year I may have not been aware of it. Depending on your frame of mind it will either be a breath of fresh air or anathema as Finkelstein knocks over the sacred cows of identity politics and cancel culture. I found it a thought-provoking, liberating breath of fresh air. 

The book is structured in two distinct parts. In part one (400 pages) Finkelstein--himself an unabashed liberal--takes aim at what he views as the betrayal of class-based politics by identity politics, which he believes diverts attention from systemic economic inequality. He critiques notable figures, including Ibram X. Kendi and Barack Obama, arguing that their approaches ultimately serve elite interests rather than fostering meaningful societal change. Finkelstein juxtaposes these figures with historical advocates of universalism, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Frederick Douglass, emphasizing a focus on universal human rights rather than fragmented identity-based advocacy.

When I saw that part two begins by addressing the matter of holocaust denial, I was most curious on how Finkelsten, whose parents both died at the hands of the Nazis, would approach this. It was brilliant.

This second part addresses academic freedom, suggesting that even objectionable ideas should be openly debated to foster critical thinking. He explores the broader implications of censorship in academia, particularly its impact on intellectual rigor and free discourse. This section reflects his personal experiences, including his denial of tenure at DePaul University, which he presents as a microcosm of the challenges posed by cancel culture in academic spaces.

Finkelstein’s critiques are grounded in his belief in the pursuit of universal truths, influenced by the philosophies of John Stuart Mill and Immanuel Kant. The book has benn praised for its fearless approach, though some readers may find its tone confrontational. He doesn't pull punches, and most are right on the mark.

Here are three reviews to sink your teeth into if you can't find the book itself. (It's not too late to ask for it for Christmas 2024.) 

The Inspiring Outrage of Norman Finkelstein

by Chris Wright, Common Dreams

This review is an excellent overview of the book and worth reading.

A Wake-Up Call to the Left

by Deborah Maccoby, Jewish Voice for Labor, Amazon

    "Norman Finkelstein knows something about being cancelled. For someone who has spent his writing career exposing as frauds books revered by corporate culture – starting with Joan Peters’s widely-acclaimed From Time Immemorial – cancellation has gone with the territory. Mainstream reviewers viciously denounced his exposé, in The Holocaust Industry, of exploitation of the Holocaust in the service of protecting Israel from opprobrium. His attack, in Beyond Chutzpah, on Alan Dershowitz’s book The Case for Israel led to Finkelstein’s denial of tenure at De Paul University."

Heretical Thoughts on Identity Politics, Cancel Culture, and Academic Freedom

by Gabriel Carlyle

You do not have to agree with everything any writer says or believes in older to gain insights from it. That includes Finkelstein. Wherever your political feet are planted, this book will give you food for thought.