The political upheaval and uncertainty in the United States and around the world has led many historians, scholars, and citizens in general to reach for and re-read classic texts of history, sociology, political theory and even fiction to help make sense of these troubled times. This panel--one of two entitled "Touchstone Texts"--will bring together five distinguished scholars, each of whom has done a deep reading of an influential books that speaks to our moment: Paul Berman on Karl Popper's The Open Society and Its Enemies; Molly Worthen on Theodor Adorno et al, The Authoritarian Personality; Jonathan Holloway on James Baldwin's The Fire Next Time; and Michael Kimmage on Philip Roth's Plot Against America. Audience discussion will draw connections among the presentations and the texts themselves.