The Story
In this collection of brief lives (and deaths) of nearly two hundred of the world's greatest thinkers, noted philosopher Simon Critchley creates a register of mortality that is tragic, amusing, absurd, and exemplary. From the self-mocking haikus of Zen masters on their deathbeds to the last words of Christian saints and modern-day sages, this irresistible book contains much to inspire both amusement and reflection.
Informed by Critchley's acute insight, scholarly intelligence, and sprightly wit, each entry tells its own tale, but collected together they add up to a profound and moving investigation of meaning and the possibility of happiness for us all.
Author: Simon Critchley
Publisher: Vintage
Published: 02/10/2009
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.79lbs
Size: 9.02h x 4.98w x 0.91d
ISBN: 9780307390431
Review Citation(s):
New York Times Book Review 02/15/2009 pg. 27
Publishers Weekly 12/08/2008 pg. 54
Chronicle of Higher Education 02/13/2009 pg. 6
Library Journal 01/15/2009 pg. 94
Booklist 01/01/2009 pg. 23
About the Author
Simon Critchley is Hans Jonas Professor of Philosophy at the New School for Social Research. His many books include Very Little . . . Almost Nothing, The Faith of the Faithless, and The Book of Dead Philosophers. He is the series moderator of The Stone, a philosophy column in The New York Times, to which he is a frequent contributor.
Description
In this collection of brief lives (and deaths) of nearly two hundred of the world's greatest thinkers, noted philosopher Simon Critchley creates a register of mortality that is tragic, amusing, absurd, and exemplary. From the self-mocking haikus of Zen masters on their deathbeds to the last words of Christian saints and modern-day sages, this irresistible book contains much to inspire both amusement and reflection.
Informed by Critchley's acute insight, scholarly intelligence, and sprightly wit, each entry tells its own tale, but collected together they add up to a profound and moving investigation of meaning and the possibility of happiness for us all.
Author: Simon Critchley
Publisher: Vintage
Published: 02/10/2009
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.79lbs
Size: 9.02h x 4.98w x 0.91d
ISBN: 9780307390431
Review Citation(s):
New York Times Book Review 02/15/2009 pg. 27
Publishers Weekly 12/08/2008 pg. 54
Chronicle of Higher Education 02/13/2009 pg. 6
Library Journal 01/15/2009 pg. 94
Booklist 01/01/2009 pg. 23
About the Author
Simon Critchley is Hans Jonas Professor of Philosophy at the New School for Social Research. His many books include Very Little . . . Almost Nothing, The Faith of the Faithless, and The Book of Dead Philosophers. He is the series moderator of The Stone, a philosophy column in The New York Times, to which he is a frequent contributor.
