"With The Covenant Irving Layton takes up once more the controversial theme of his previous volume, For My Brother Jesus. Returning to the fray, he lays waste to his critics with the kind of impassioned eloquence and well-honed reason that have kept succeeding generations of readers in awe if his prodigious mind and craft. The Covenant extends Layton's earlier argument about the relationship between the Holocaust and Christianity; it is an attempt to humanize and to de-mystify Jesus Christ, and to show the difference between his true disciples and those whom Layton calls "Xians", the ones who have perverted the teachings of Christ. With prophetic fire, Layton roars forth his testimony in stanzas that ring with honesty, conviction, and truth. His genius flashes with similar intensity but contrasting mood in the many beautiful love lyrics and meditative poems that are interspersed throughout. The Covenant is a worthy successor to the long list of books that mark the progress and popularity of this major poet." -- from back cover.