Unpopular Essays (Routledge Classics) 1st Edition by Bertrand Russell (EPUB)

Description

A classic collection of Bertrand Russell’s more controversial works, reaffirming his staunch liberal values, Unpopular Essays is one of Russell’s most characteristic and self-revealing books. Written to “combat… the growth in Dogmatism”, on first publication in 1950 it met with critical acclaim and a wide readership and has since become one of his most accessible and popular books.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: Review ‘An intellectual treat…the delight of this book lies in that combination of wit with perception, and of width of view with ease of expression for which Russell made himself known.’ – Financial Times‘Russell is as incapable of being dull as he is of being shallow’ – The Observer‘His writings reflect his crystalline, scintillating mind and rank him among the few masters of English style’ – Sunday Times About the Author Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) was one of the most formidable thinkers of the modern era. A philosopher, mathematician, educational innovator, champion of intellectual, social and sexual freedom, and a campaigner for peace and human rights, he was also a prolific writer of popular and influential books, essays and lectures on an extensive range of subjects. Considered to be one of the most controversial figures of the twentieth century, Bertrand Russell is widely renowned for his provocative writings. These definitive works offer profound insights and forward-thinking perspectives on a changing western society progressively shaped, most significantly, by two world wars, the decline of British imperialism and an evolving moral landscape.

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐I first read this collection of essays by Bertrand Russell when in college — quite a while ago now — and just bought this edition for a young friend about who’s about the same age I was when I first discovered this writer who’s been one of my intellectual mentors and models every since. Russell was one of the foremost philosophers of the 20th century, a voice of reason and critical thought for most of that sad epoch that saw “the eclipse of reason” at the hands of all types of true believers. The essays here all date from the first half of that century but are in my judgement as relevant today as when they first appeared; perhaps more so than in many decades given the rise of closed (anti-) intellectual silos/echo-chambers that shield their inmates from debate and criticism. These essays, written for a the general educated public, show why Russell won his well-deserved Nobel Prize for Literature; they’re crisp, clear, jargon-free, intellectually incisive and generally quite funny. His essay on “intellectual rubbish” reads as if it were written by someone with deep familiarity with our contemporary social media, though with far more wit and in much better prose than would likely be the case by anyone who really had such familiarity with it. Russell was an often unpopular figure during his long life for his unpopular and transgressive perspectives, from his opposition to the First World War, to (then) unconventional views on marriage and sex, to his outspoken opposition to the U.S. war in Indochina; to say nothing of his atheism and frank dislike of all religion as doing more harm than good in the world at a time when such views carried real social penalties; Archbishop Francis Spellman of New York led a successful campaign to get him fired from the publicly-funded City College of New York in the 1940s. But he was always non-dogmatic and open to changing his opinions as circumstances and evidence required. He inspires me and informs how I try to see the world and its controversies to this day. I hope my young friend will get as much out of his writings as I did when I was a young man finding my own approach to how to live in and understand a very complex and sometimes tragic world.

⭐Russell’s essays are as relevant about today’s political and social issues as they were in the 1950s.

⭐This single volume of Bertrand Russell’s concepts is always edifying and fun. Russell wrote endlessly and eloquently on Atheism, Philosophy, Socialism and Mathematics. A Russell scholar will want more. To become a Russell scholar or a Russell lover, start here. Unpopular Essays is NOT a compendium of essays from all the unpopular essayists, but an intelligent, and witty collection of Lord Russell’s sometimes scandalizing beliefs.

⭐Michael Savage read one of the essays and he said it had a lasting effect on his life. I read the same one and mostly disagreed with Russell. I think that mothers do have more awareness with regard to their children. I do agree that poverty is not an elevating situation to be in. He had some deep and well thought out essays. I can see why Britain did not want him back during the war.

⭐XXXXX“Man is a rational animal—so at least I have been told. Throughout a long life, I have looked diligently for evidence in favour of this, but so far I have not the good fortune to come across it, though I have searched in many countries spread over three continents.On the contrary, I have seen the world plunging continually into madness. I have seen great nations, formerly leaders of civilization, led astray by preachers of bombastic nonsense.I have seen cruelty, persecution, and superstition increasing by leaps and bounds, until we have almost reached the point where praise of rationality is held to mark a man as an old fogey regrettably surviving from a bygone age.”The above comes from the beginning of the seventh essay found in this book by Bertrand Russell (1872 to 1970). Russell was one of the most formidable thinkers of the twentieth century. A philosopher, mathematician, educational innovator, champion of intellectual, social, and sexual freedom, and a campaigner for peace and human rights, he was also a writer of popular and influential books, essays, and lectures on a wide range of subjects.These essays were written over a fifteen year period beginning in the late 1930s and ending in 1950. This book consists of eight essays that were published earlier and four new ones. (The reader is not told the publication dates of two of these essays.)You do not have to read these essays in the order indicated in the Table of Contents. I found that these essays could be grouped. Three of them deal with philosophy, three of them are concerned with ideas and the intellect, two of them give us insight into who Russell was, three of them deal with the individual, and one looks into the future.These essays show that Russell was indeed the sanctioned voice of liberalism, democracy, and above all, rationality. This book champions intellectual freedom, political democracy, judicial impartiality, scientific progress, social charity, and personal tolerance. Russell was a man ahead of his time.The writing is lucid and witty but is also exuberant, combative (specifically combative of the growth of dogmatism), and serous-minded. I could see why Russell won the Nobel Prize for Literature.Contrary to this book’s title, it actually is one of Russell’s most accessible and popular tomes.Some might think this book is dated. Yes, with respect to the examples Russell uses but the ideas and principles presented are timeless. This book is also politically incorrect. But this is not done on purpose but merely was the way people thought during Russell’s time.Finally, here are the titles of my favourite essays found in this book:(1) “An Outline of Intellectual Rubbish” (1943)(2) “Ideas that have Helped Mankind” (1946)(3) “Ideas that have Harmed Mankind” (1946)(4) “The Functions of a Teacher” (1940)In conclusion, this book is an intellectual treat presenting ideas that are timeless!!(First published 1950; present volume published 2009; introduction (written 1995); preface; 12 essays; main narrative 170 pages; index)<>XXXXX

⭐A smart book by a smart guy; everybody can benefit from this quick read, even without an interest in philosophy… if you are in doubt whether you need some Russell in your life, watch some Youtube clips of this adorable, nice man and hit the buy-button.

⭐Good reading for those who know nothing about the author. But even if his intellectual wit is evident and informative, most of his ideas are obsolete for today’s world. Still, a good, classic book by any means.

⭐Amazing, an easy read, but heavy ideas

⭐Nice! This solves many mental issues.

⭐in good condition

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