David Tracy's new book uses conversation as a model for understanding intellectual, religious, cultural and political traditions of interpretation. If these traditions live by the equality of their conversation, they ultimately have to acknowledge their own plurality and ambiguity. His first chapter asks what conversations is and how it can function as a model for all interpretation. The next three chapters considers the main problems encountered in using conversation as a model. Classical modes of argument become modern theories, methods and explanations that can interrupt traditional conversations. The radical plurality disclosed in post-modern studies of language breaks up conversations. The increasingly pervasive 'terror of history' shows up the radical ambiguity of all conversations.