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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
A book that tackles history, philosophy, politics, NICE STUFF! While also going through the lives of the thinkers at the time. Learned so much about phenomenology and existentialism and the dynamism of thought and thinkers and philosophy in an (almost) contemporary age. Learned about the 2nd World War, the post-war, the rise and fall of communism in western Europe, and honestly... the DRAMA between all the existentialists. What a bunch!
Unexpected MVP: Maurice Merleau-Ponty
All-time MVP: Simone de Beauvoir
Unexpected MVP: Maurice Merleau-Ponty
All-time MVP: Simone de Beauvoir
this book is such a delight:) although it was quite dense at first-- i'll admit i picked it up and put it down several times when the sheer amount of names to remember and connect overwhelmed me a little. on one hand, i think i would have found it easier to navigate if i had a little bit more in-depth understanding of the philosophy discussed, but on the other, this book did serve to make me want to read more philosophy, so maybe i will come back to it once i have a broader understanding of the ideas and see how it affects my opinion.
all in all i feel like this book accomplishes what the author set out to do-- argue that the historical and sociocultural contexts in which these philosophies were developed are just as important as the philosophical ideas themselves. it was a very charming read that inspired me to delve deeper into the matter discussed, and i think thats an excellent thing for a book to accomplish :)
all in all i feel like this book accomplishes what the author set out to do-- argue that the historical and sociocultural contexts in which these philosophies were developed are just as important as the philosophical ideas themselves. it was a very charming read that inspired me to delve deeper into the matter discussed, and i think thats an excellent thing for a book to accomplish :)
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
An outstanding book, and not (as one might assume from how long it took me to finish) a difficult one at all. Highly recommend to anyone who's trying to sort out what the phenomenologists and existentialists were after and why, especially Heidegger and Sartre (but also all the others). Great rundown of mid-20th century intellectual history, too.
Doesn't flow too well. I would have liked more description of the specific philosophies and the synergies and contrasts between them than the bios of the individuals. Bakewell makes clear by the end that her interest is more in their lives than their ideas in the abstract, but it's their lives that have made Sartre, de Beauvoir and the rest famous, and I think she could have done a better job of presenting those in the context of history, the mixing in of biographical information muddled that message for me.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Brilliantly written and researched, this book successfully balances the academic with entertainment, summarising philosophical notions without being dull or dry.
The last chapter neatly tied up the loose ends and suggested ways that existentialism could be applied to today's issues that I felt were good arguments and well-expressed.
I'd like to read more of her work.
The last chapter neatly tied up the loose ends and suggested ways that existentialism could be applied to today's issues that I felt were good arguments and well-expressed.
I'd like to read more of her work.
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Terrific snapshots of so many brilliant thinkers and the contexts that formed them. Took Heidegger to task for his nazism, though could have done more to call out de Beauvoir and Sartre's grooming. Merleau-Ponty needs more love!
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced