Ambitious biography by Moorehead (ed., Betrayal, 1990, etc.) of one of the most fascinating of modern British lives, taking in a century of social and cultural upheaval. Born in 1872 into a world of high Victorian privilege, heir to an earldom, Russell crammed an almost bewildering variety of activity into his 98 years, involving himself indefatigably not only in progressive causes of all kinds—free trade, women's suffrage, pacifism, progressive education, disarmament—but in the construction of a common intellectual culture in the broadest sense. As controversial as he was hugely popular and energetic, Russell pursued simultaneous careers as academic philosopher, scientific popularizer, moralist, social commentator, and general public intellectual of a type scarcely imaginable today, becoming in his 90s the West's corrosive self-styled antinuclear conscience. (Among modern philosophers, only Sartre enjoyed comparable public standing—but whereas Sartre's philosophy was integral to his public persona, Russell's particular brand of analytic thought wasn't, and Moorehead devotes only a small fraction of her text to the man's philosophical work.) Yet Russell remains easier to admire than to love: Moorehead reveals that his protean energies—the source of his extraordinary creativity—were profoundly destructive to those around him. In his personal relationships, Russell appears here as a man trapped in the prison of self, manipulating, draining, and exhausting his many lovers, as well as his family, friends, and colleagues: He had, as one longtime sufferer put it, ``an inevitable way of hurting one.'' Russell's personal involvements followed a constant trajectory: a brief period of intense emotional investment and intimacy—often with others as opinionated and arrogant as himself (Lawrence, Shaw, Wells, Eliot, Wittgenstein, et al.)—succeeded by disputes and an estrangement so complete as to resemble being dropped ``down an oubliette.'' Moorehead shapes Russell's complex character into a vivid and compelling portrait: an exemplary accomplishment. (Sixteen pages of b&w photographs)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1993
ISBN: 0-670-85008-X
Page Count: 608
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1993
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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