4 comments about A Life of H. L. A. Hart: The Nightmare and the Noble Dream.

1. I agree entirely with the previous reviewers that this was a well written and informative biography of a very humble, very private intellectual. If not for N Lacey, the legion of Hart followers who do not know him personally would guess that he was not only brilliant, but also a kind and wonderful human being. Now, thanks to the book, there can be little doubt that he was indeed so. However, I suspect that the third line from the top of page 349 might be incomplete. It seems to be an editorial oversight that should be rectified in reprints or a second edition.



2. I couldn't put this book down. Nicola Lacey is a surprisingly good biographer. "Surprisingly" because Ms. Lacey is not (or was not until now) a professional biographer, but a legal academic.
   
   The book makes you want to dust off "The Concept of Law" again and take up sides in the Hart/Dworkin debate. Because Hart comes across as such a loveable great guy you'll find yourself rooting for him.
   
   On that note, I could have used more legal philosophy, rather than less (as some reviewers suggest), but this is a very minor criticism. I also looked forward to the moment when Ms. Lacey herself would appear on the scene (she knew Hart personally), as she indicated in her preface, but I did not see her.
   
   American readers will be mystified (but only slightly) by Ms. Lacey's not infrequent use of the adjective "shambolic" (may there always be an England!), which if I'm not mistaken means something like it sounds: a bucolic shambles, which is, by the way, not what this book is--it is, rather, an elegantly written biography that is both intellectually and emotionally satisfying.
   
   And note to Oxford Press: put Hart's "Punishment and Responsibility" back in print! It is only one of the four most important books written on criminal law in the last one hundred years! (the other three being: George Fletcher's "Rethinking Criminal Law", R.A. Duff's "Criminal Attempts", and Michael Moore's "Placing Blame: A General Theory of the Criminal Law".)



3. For far too long there has not been a full-scale biography of H.L.A. Hart, author of "The Concept of Law." That gap has now been eliminated by this superb biography by Nicola Lacey of LSE. And this is a biography, and not an "intellectual biography" (such as Duxbury's masteful book on Frederick Pollock)which focuses primarily upon the subject's writings and theories--although Lacey addresses Hart's jurisprudential concepts within the framework of developing his life. For those who want to use this volume as an introduction to Hart's substantive work, ample references support the incisive discussion within the text. But the focus here is his life. As such, it is helpful to also read his wife Jennifer Hart's autobiography, "Ask Me No More."
   
   Lacey had access to the most private of Hart's papers, his private diaries. While invaluable insights result, one is almost at times uneasy with the most intimate thoughts that Hart expressed in these writings. Lacey shares this concern, and in a "rule of thumb" describes what guidelines she imposed upon herself in the use of this material. This leads naturally to a second fundamental question--do we really need to know about such intimate issues as sexual orientation in the biography of a jurisprudential thinker? Each reader will have to make their own decision--but one really does get an incomparable insight into Hart the person as a result. In my view, it is healthy to be reminded from time to time that major figures such as Hart are people just like the rest of us and don't reside on some intellectual Olympus.
   
   The narrative is crisp and with the exception of an overly long chapter on Hart's wartime service, never ceases to spark interest. The blending of Hart's theoretical contributions within the context of a biography is a challenge that is more than well met. The fact that Lacey personally knew Hart adds an important dimension as well. Also making apperances are a number of fascinating characters, including Hans Kelsen, Julius Stone, Lon Fuller, Ronald Dworkin and a host of Oxford philosophers. In her "Biographer's Note," Lacey explains a number of key issues she confronted in writing Hart's life, which in itself is an important contribution to the literature on biographical writing. Whether one is particularly interested in legal theory or not, this is simply one of the most extraordinary and important biographies to appear in recent years.



4. Let me begin by saying that I have no connection at all to the author of this book (I feel such disclaimers are needed on Amazon.com). I picked up this book because, as a law professor, I wanted a bit of biographical background on H.L.A. Hart, perhaps the most important legal philosopher of the 20th century. Hart's writings are dense and hard even for experts to understand -- so I expected his biography to be equally dry. I am very happy to say that this book is virtually a page turner. The Da Vinci code it's not, but it is something more valuable -- a fascinating look at a very, very complex individual.
   (...) I found the book particularly engaging because of my interest in legal philosophy, ordinary language philosophy, and Ronald Dworkin. Non-academics might find the author's discussion of these difficult subjects hard to follow and frustrating. However, the author does not obsess about these difficult matters and on the whole handles these technical subjects with grace and a soft touch. I would recommend the book to any person who is interested in the private life of a public philosopher. For those with an interest in legal philosophy and particularly modern positivism, this book is a "must read." Nicola Lacey -- Bravo!

2 comments about Unknown Philosopher: The Life of Louis Claude de St. Martin and the Substance of His Transcendental Doctrine.

1. A well documented study into the life of Louis Claude de St. Martin and how by discovering the works of Jacob Boehme he turned away from a conventional life to live "The Way of the Heart." He created a mystical society and his teachings and initiations still exist today. A fascinating read about the man and his work and how he influenced French culture.



2. The book is an awesome biography of the Mystical life of Louise Claude de St. Martin. The author fully described the sequence of events of the life of this Unknown Philosopher. Excellent reference for the students in Martinism or traditional Martinist Order as well as a path in the search of Truth by modeling from the examples of the book.

5 comments about The Inner Life of Krishnamurti: Private Passion and Perennial Wisdom.

1. This is a wonderful book. Not only because it explores for the first time and in the deepest way, the inner life of one of the most astonishing figures in world history, but because it's a very lucid exploration into the teachings of Krishnamurti. This exploration makes clear of the urgency there is for an actual human transformation. Our insensibility and our shalowness have reached to a very critical point of ignorance which is the real cause of violence, our suffering and our sence of meaninglessness. It is of great importance that we realize that only through an individual investigation we will be able to trancend our ignorance. Such an investigation cannot be of the nature of past investigations, which have been governed by the analytical mind. As it is expressed in this book and in countless times by K himself, one must totally die to the past and to our personal history to engage in this kind of observation. This is not an easy task for us, people of the 21st century, deeply conditioned by the patterns of our culture and by all of our ideas and preconceptions of what life is supposed to be.There can be no other real revolution than that of the psique. We must effortlessly renounce to all the methods that have been offered to us, and to all the happiness manuals that promess freedom and elightment if we do this or that. We have to be able to stand alone for the first time and listen to life without the influence of words, we must aproach life in new and unknown ways. This is how we can become trully responsable with life as a whole. Freedom and real maturity won't come in the future, they can only occur now because the present moment is all we have, it's where reality actually takes place.
   I am a young person living in this messed up world swamped with information, entertainment, competition, greed, violence and worst of all, a big sence of meaninglessness. But I do feel there is a way out of this, and I do feel that life can be much simpler, richer and meaningful than we could ever imagine, but this calls for real work and real engagement.
   There is a highly recomended book which is quoted by Sanat and can be found at Amazon.com : "The Paradox of Intention" by Marvin Shaw.
   (I want to thank Ariel Sanat for this wonderful piece of work, which has touched me and other people I know, in a very profound way. If anyone knows how to contact the author I would be really grateful-my mail is aprilandseptember@yahoo.com thanks)



2. A deeply thoughtful and well supported look at a previously obscured dimension of K's life. Scientifically rigorous in it's honest approach of this topic, the book is a must have for anyone who has been touched by the life of Jiddu Krishnamurti.



3. The reader from Alamogordo is completely right. Several people have written bad reviews of this excellent book, giving it one or two stars, thus bringing down the number of stars for it, & giving a very distorted perception of its true worth for a potential new reader. It's OK for people to have different points of view, of course. But it is obvious to anyone who really knows the subject, that some of these reviewers are ignorant of one aspect or another of it, and/or have some pet theory to promote, & are perhaps afraid of the truths that this book shares with its readers.
   This is a truly extraordinary accomplishment, because what K said has been believed to be totally incompatible with the ancient esoteric tradition. Yet Sanat shows here, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that when one looks at the FACTS and not at the repetition of unfounded rumors, it becomes clear that the two are seamlessly related. This book does require having both an open mind and having wide knowledge and understanding of the subject, which is a tall order. But it's "right on the money." Even someone without a great deal of knowledge or understanding of all the issues, but with a truly open mind, would get a great deal out of it.
   This is the best book on K's life & teaching, to date.



4. This book is an extraordinary achievement, since it shows, for the first time ever, the very real connection there is between the theosophical movement and Krishnamurti, as well as between Krishnamurti and the ancient perennial wisdom. Sanat does this not by speculating or spinning unsupported opinions (as has been done quite dishonestly by some of his reviewers below). He achieves this by appealing by actual historical facts, by actually quoting what K REALLY said (as opposed to OPINIONS some people have formed without reference to FACTS). This is, so far, the ONLY book on Krishnamurti that addresses these issues without preconceptions, but by quoting sources and giving precise references, and by appealing to what actually happened.
   Unlike every other author on this subject to date, Sanat lets his reader know when he is offering his own personal perceptions of the many facts that he marshals. When he does that, it is clear that he bends over backwards to let the reader come to his/her own conclusions.
   It is unfortunate that some reviewers, who have obviously some pet theory to defend, have misrepresented the real worth of this excellent piece of research. I am particularly intrigued by the fact that the first "two" reviewers sent their messages within two days of "each other," and say pretty much the same thing. One of "them" was from "San Felipe, CA," & "the other" claims to be from New Mexico, yet does not know how to spell his own hometown, calling it "Albuquerqui." Then there is yet another reader from San Felipe, CA, writing three years later, but saying pretty much the same thing! I smell a rat!
   If you are serious about understanding who K was, please do yourself a favor, and read this book. But do so with an open mind. What Sanat has achieved here is almost like solving a Zen koan: What K said was simultaneously compatible with the best that the perennial wisdom has taught throughout the ages, yet at the same time was breaking new ground, by showing us the dire need to disassociate ourselves COMPLETELY from all identifications, such as with Buddhism & Advaita Vedanta, before there can be clarity in our lives. Sanat has done a magnificent job, in showing with astonishing clarity that what has been considered incompatible, is actually eminently compatible. In doing this, he has placed K in a proper historical setting, something that had never been done before by anyone, because in order to do that, one must do the enormous work it must have taken for him to have been able to achieve this.
   Contrary to what some reviewers have said, Sanat has shown how and why what really matters is that each of us engage in a transformative lifestyle. K's status, or lack thereof, is absolutely irrelevant in that quest. THAT is what Sanat makes crystal clear, unsupported criticisms of his work notwithstanding.
   So do read the book. But be prepared to do a great deal of research yourself (like Sanat has done), before coming to conclusions based on previous knowledge. This book is a genuine creative effort, and deserves being read with a genuinely open mind.



5. Let us just for a minute imagine Krishnamurti himself reading this book. Would he invite the author for tea afterwards? I think not. One can only imagine why a writer who supposedly understood Krishnamurti's ideas would be so interested in what Krishnamurti himself bent over backwards to avoid discussing. The author claims that K didn't reembrace the Theosophical Society legends surrounding his enlightnment journey to protect his devotees from their own distracting fantasies about the occult, etc. Pul-leese! Krishnamurti's neverending emphasis was on his listeners' ability to do their own investigations into what was "the case." Thereby hung their salvation from conditioning. The picture painted of Krishnamurti by some recent authors, including Sanat, has been of a secretive man interested in concealing both his so-called inner and personal lives from the spiritually unwashed masses. Perhaps, but this author does not make a convincing case for Krishnamurti as a closet Theosophist.

1 comments about Life of Apollonius of Tyana, Vol. 2: Books 5-8 (Loeb Classical Library).

1. _This is the definative, unabridged translation of Philostratus' _Life of Apollonius_ for your permanent library. The Jones translation was made from the Teuber text of C.L. Kayser.
   
   _Philostratus completed this work in C.E. 220, while the historical Apollonius was generally thought to have left this world around C.E. 98. Apollonius is presented as an example of the ideal spiritual and good man in the classical world. In a Roman Empire ruled increasingly by force, violence, and greed, this Apollonius would be the ideal role model. Indeed, that is what you encounter in the books, example after example of Apollonius encountering worldly and wicked men and setting them straight. It is still rather inspiring, even though you realize that this Apollonius is probably a composite character of many philosophical and religious characters of the classical world. This is not to categorically state that there was no original, Pythagorean, named Apollonius that served as the original inspiration- it is just that we do not know how much of the original is still there.
   
   _Apollonius was to be understood as the champion of traditional "pagan" cults and philosophy against the new religion of Christianity. Apollonius is shown to be tolerant to other religions and faiths- something that the new cult, even then, was not. Perhaps his very name reflected this tolerance and defense of the traditional. This is also no doubt why he visits India during his travels, for even in those days the Vedic tradition was seen as the "root" of all religious tradition.
   
   _In any case, the account is still quite edifying in its depiction of what was considered the archetypical example of the good, just, and tolerant man in the late classical world.

2 comments about The Promise of Politics.

1. Jerome Kuhn's introduction is a little patronizing of Arendt, but it's short and skimpy and won't deter you from plunging into Arendt's prose, beginning with her startling revision of Socrates. For Arendt, Socrates helped split politics and philosophy with one decisive strategy, his defense at his famous trial. It's typical of Arendt that she sees thought in dramatic terms, always with a terminal at either end of time, existing not so much in essential terms but in contingent, always partial and always temporary states of being--human beings reacting to strain or stress, and in turn launching something new to spur new reaction. Thus Socrates becomes interesting only when in peril.
   
   Because so many of these papers were presented as reviews or for occasional purposes (such as lectures) perhaps this emphasis on the dramatic might be explained thus. But oh, how she loved to be able to use "The End of Tradition" as the title of a paper, its apocalyptic note gave her a sort of gleeful, if embarrassed, outrage.
   
   The master text here is the longest, the INTRODUCTION INTO POLITICS, oddly titled with "into" in special italics as though there might be an INTRODUCTION "out of" politics, as I suppose there might. It reads like a novel. We haven't had this novella translated into English before now. Whoever translated it did a fabulous job of approximating Arendt's nearly colloquial, clean and rich English. She was a stylist before anything else and this collection, published on the 30th anniversary of her death, burnishes the legend. It's no disgrace and it makes you wonder, if more papers are up there in her archive just waiting for new eyes to take a new look.



2. Politics is considered as a means to an end that lies outside itself. When force is used to create freedom, political principles vanish. She wonders if politics do have any meaning at all anymore.
   
   She finds politics to be the never-ending endeavor of the plurality of humans to live together and share in mutually guaranted freedom. This is 'the promise of politics.' She questions the relation of politics to human freedom. I think that her understanding of politics is worldwide and not American. I know only the U. S. version, and it is back-stabbing with constant lies about the opponent (a negative effect on the candidates and the voters), promises of things which will never happen (and the politician knows it when he makes the false promises). Politics is dirty business.
   
   Today's politics is nothing like that of the Greeks (beginning), Romans (founding) nor the Christian (forgiving). Here we believe in the division between church and state, thereby keeping these two entities separate. They are completely different in precept and beliefs and deeds which seem to be foreign as Spain is from Japan.
   
   This is an intellectual thesis written in the '50s (and my! have things changed since then -- no more Kennedys in power, no Krushchev who had a hole in his shoe, no more totalitarianism or corrupt Jews. She bases her political thoughts on philisophy. She has written EICHMANN IN JERUSALEM, THE JEW AS PARIAH, THE HUMAN CONDITION, THE LIFE OF THE MIND, and RESPONSIBILITY AND JUDGEMENT. She is a deep thinker on the subjects of 'revolution,' 'violence,' 'political philosophy,' 'Jewish identity,' 'understanding,' and 'love.'
   
   She was born in Germany and migrated to the U. S. after WWII where she has taught at Berkeley, Princeton, University of Chicago, and the New School for Social Research. She died thirty years ago.

5 comments about Voltaire in Love.

1. Nancy Mitford's Voltaire in Love is an entertaining book, full of historic characters, revealing both their best and worst attributes in politics, society, the arts, and the bedroom.
   
   The book is primarily about the long affair between Voltaire and his mistress, Mme. Emilie du Chatelet, which was certainly a meeting of two exceptionally brilliant minds of the Enlightenment. Yet the book really covers the early adult years of Voltaire and does not cover his later successes and fame.
   
   Voltaire, a graduate of Louise-le-Grand Jesuit School, was a brilliant but sarcastic student, who became popular with his witty poems and plays. Yet his satire often went to far which on more than one occassion resulted in imprisonment in the Bastile. Like Moliere, Voltaire wrote witty comedy that appealed to the sophisticated upperclasses. Yet early in his career he is forced into exile to London where he wrote plays for Queen Caroline and King George. Gradually his star rose in the French court of Louis XV. Queen Marie Leczinska found him charming and gave him a pension. Louis XV also gave him a pension but was less comfortable with Voltaire than was his wife and his father in law, Stanislas Leczinska, ex-king of Poland. The king's famous mistress, Mme. Jeanne-Antoinette de Pompadour, was an admirer of Voltaire also and there is some evidence that she came to his rescue when he ran afoul of the censors of Louis XV. Thus much of the book is about the highest levels of French society and their impact on the arts, sciences, and humanities.
   
   As is the case with many bright and opinionated thinkers, rivalry and jealousy and ambition create the conditions for long lasting enemies. This is the case between Voltaire and Jean-Baptiste Rousseau, a philosopher whom Voltaire seemed to disdain. However Voltaire's primary rivalry was with Abbe Desfontaines. Abbe Desfontaines was found molesting male adolescent chimney sweeps and was sentenced to burn at the stake for sodomy. Voltaire was one of his only allies and Desfontaine was saved. Yet, amazingly, Desfontaine became extremely critical and bitter and vindictive toward Voltaire leading the reader to recognize that no good deed goes unpunished.
   
   The attempts of Frederick II of Prussia to lure Voltaire into his court was amazing underhanded strategy. Frederick II, creating a completely male homosexual court, seemed to be obsessed with Voltaire and secretly tried to undermine him in France so that offers to come to Prussia would be more appealing.
   
   The book however is primarily about the affair of Voltaire and Emilie du Chatelet. They were quite a pair, both studious and brilliant, who allowed each other ample space to think and create. Voltaire and Emilie both popularized the works of Sir Issac Newton and advanced the fields of science and mathematics. French scholarly society prefered to continue to support Descarte's theories, primarily because he was French, a loyalty that Voltaire saw as standing in the way of rational thought. The book takes us through the many journeys of Voltaire and Emily outside of their remote mansion in the countryside. We see Emilie struggle in a game of strategy with King Frederick II for the loyalty of Voltaire. We see Voltaire trying to be supportive during Emilie's outrageous gambling addition. Her son, Florent-Francois is virtually raised in a home with two fathers. Eventually Emilie falls into lust for the handsome bright Saint-Lambert and wishes to continue her 3 man life with a rich lenient legal husband, her older more mature lover who has become her best friend, and her younger sex toy boyfriend. Unfortunately she becomes pregnant with Saint-Lambert and at age 43 dies 2 days after giving birth.
   
   Well written, well documented, engaging, entertaining, and full of witty satiric details, this is an accomplishment that you will enjoy.



2. it is NOT a biography. It is a bounch of events glued together. At times I felt lost because she jumps from one topic to another and makes the reader confused when she throws a few strange sounding names without explaining who they were. As for the research of the subject I can't comment on the french part, however, on the polish side, the author didn't do a whole lot research because she couldn't even spell the name of an ex-King of Poland correctly! It's Stanis³aw Leszczyñski, not Stanislas Leczinski!!! She also undermines the linguistic abilities of the readers, thinking maybe that no-one but the French can really figure out the french language. I would not recommend this book if you really want to learn something about Voltaire and his love life, because there was no love life in that book!!



3. The hilarious modern comedy featuring the Ghost of Voltaire returning to the 21st century, "A Visit From Voltaire" Visit from Voltaire, A cites this book as one of the main sources for the period spanning the love affair of Madame de Chatelet and the King of the Englightenment, Voltaire. Another book that updates this information is Passionate Minds by David Boganis,Passionate Minds: The Great Love Affair of the Enlightenment, Featuring the Scientist Emilie du Chatelet, the Poet Voltaire, Sword Fights, Book Burnings, Assorted Kings, but this is the book that hooked me first. And it remains one of the best books to date, despite a few little hitches in her facts, for readability, entertainment and capturing the spirit of Voltaire's middle years. Anybody who reads it will finish with a wonderful understanding of the man's energy, resilience and courage. A must.



4. Nancy Mitford was a brilliant writer, and the bedrock of virtually all her works - even the histories - was satire. And, true to the first law of all satirists, she takes no prisoners, even in dealing with such luminaries as Voltaire and his lover, Mme du Chatelet. From the very start, for instance, she tells us that Voltaire rarely had any original thoughts: his true genius was in his turn of phrase. In fact, to Mme du Chatelet's great embarassment, he was likely impotent, was virtually banished from Versailles, flirted outrageously with the openly gay King Frederick of Prussia and, later, developed an infatuation for his own niece.

   Mme du Chatelet does rather better in Mitford's estimation - she is portrayed as a gifted scientist and an independently important literary figure - but as a lover, she too is deeply flawed. Time and again, she drove Voltaire close to bankruptcy with her gambling debts. And her premature death was brought on by childbirth - not Voltaire's baby, mind, but those of her "toy boy" lover. Yet it is clear that, for all that, she had met in Voltaire her true life partner, and within their own adulterous union, they tolerated each other's infidelities with good grace.

   A classic chronicle of human foibles by an author who is utterly unintimidated by her biographical subjects.




5. I couldn't put this book down, and tore through it in a matter of days. Despite being a voracious reader, it's (sadly) seldom that such a book comes along for me. The main draw for me in purchasing this book is being an avid fan of Voltaire. I had wondered just how strongly the "love story" element of the book would play out, as I'd known prior to purchasing this book that all of the intimate correspondence between Voltaire and Emilie has been lost. I'm not a "love story" kind of person, and was hoping this book would provide more of a strong picture into the personalities, foibles, strengths, habits, and routines of Voltaire primarily, and Emilie secondarily. I was not disappointed.

   If you count yourself a lover of Voltaire -- the man and his writings -- then this book is truly a must-read for you. I've read much of his essays, philosophy, short stories, et cetera, and finally (to my immense delight) feel I "know" the man.

   The personalities and temperaments of both Voltaire and Emilie were rather as I'd figured they would be, although there were a couple of genuine surprises -- some flattering, some not so flattering.

   What continues to make me curious is how these two persons defined the word "love"...the dynamics of their relationship and love was interesting, and sometimes confusing, to say the very least. Ah well, I'm speaking of dead persons here. Respect for their personages and for the deceased prohibit me from going further. And besides, after nine years of marriage, I too admit the word "love" has a myriad of nuances.

   Please enjoy this book! Ecrasez l'infame!

No comments about The Selected Letters of Bertrand Russell: The Private Years, 1884-1914 (Selected Letters of Bertrand Russell).

1 comments about Paracelsus: Life and Prophecies.

1. This book is one of those rare blends of biographical information,useful practical notes with an easy readable writing something that we find lacking from translations usualy.It contains all kinds of information both for persons that are now begining to read about the occult as well as information that experienced magicians will find usefull,like medical formulas that a MAGE will find interesting and will want to experiment with.I found it extremely interesting and readable i recomend it to anyone that is interested in reading an enjoyable book even if you don't beleive in occult you will find the stories very interesting.The onely flaw of the book is the first part of it with the difficult to comprehend magic figures.

1 comments about Fifty Major Philosophers (Routledge Key Guides).

1. Fifty Major Philosophers by Diane Collinson, is brief, neutral and objective, and fairly representative in its choice of the 50 key philosophers from ancient time till mid-50s/60s. For anyone who does not want to read too much to understand the important arguments in philosophy made by the most representative sample, this is the right reference work to begin.
   
   It lacks the detail of Will and Arial Durant's Story of Philosophy or richness of discussion of Frank Magill's Masterpeices of World Philosophy in Digest Form or the Range of Dagober Runes' Pictorial History of Philosophy. But this is precisely what makes it just right for lay readers.
   
   This book became the foundation for the style and format of the fifty key series published by Routledge, which has many useful volumes on thinkers and concepts.

No comments about Nietzsche Unpublished Letters.