Genuine Reality: A Life of William James
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.92 (735 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0226758591 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 528 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2014-12-30 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
. He was born before the Civil War, but Linda Simon's lively biography Genuine Reality depicts William James (1842-1910) as a decidedly contemporary thinker. One of the book's many virtues is Simon's sensitive analysis of how his ideas rescued him from years of spiritual confusion and the smothering embrace of a neurotic family. A pioneering psychologist and unorthodox philosopher, he rejected rigid systems in favor of a flexible, relativist approach that stressed the fluid nature of identity and physical reality. His students at Harvard (Gertrude Stein, for one) found this immensely liberating, as did James himself
Exploring James's irrepressible family, his diverse friends, and the cultural and political forces to which he so energetically responded, Simon weaves the many threads of William James's life into a genuine, and vibrant, reality."William James has never seemed so vulnerably human as in Linda Simon's biography. You become engaged in his struggles as if they were your own."—Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, New York Times"An excellent narrative biography at once sensitively told and lucidly written."—John Patrick Diggins, Wall Street Journal. Drawing on a wide range of sources, including 1,500 letters between James and his wife, acclaimed biographer Linda Simon creates an intimate portrait of this multifaceted and contradictory man. Reynolds, New York Times Book Review"Superb. Simon has provided an ideal pathway for James's strid
"Do somebody a good turn and Not be found out" according to C. Middleton. The truly great men in early American history, in my humble opinion, are as follows:Thomas JeffersonRalph Waldo EmersonSamuel Clemens (Mark Twain)William JamesBecause of their intense individualism, idealistic views, and unique personalities, their writings, thoughts and ideas continue to affect western civilzation into the 21st century. Let me just say at the start - I'm not proposing a forum for argument, debating the worth and influence of one historical figure against another - these are men who have shaped my life in lasting ways - particularly the psychologist, philosopher and teacher, William James.If you are interested in the wor. Accurate, but not as lively as one would wish A Customer He was born before the Civil War, but Linda Simon's accurate yet occasionally grinding biography `Genuine Reality` depicts William James (1842-1910) as a decidedly contemporary thinker. A pioneering psychologist and unorthodox philosopher, he rejected rigid systems in favor of a flexible, relativist approach that stressed the fluid nature of identity and physical reality. His students at Harvard found this a gas, as did James himself. (He was always showing off to somebody his whole life, apparently greatly concerned that he be popular with this peers, whoever they happened to be.) One of the book's many virtues is Simon's sensitive anal. WONDERFUL! I pride myself on being a William James buff and this biography by Linda Simon has proven to be the best, most accurate portrayal ever written. If you don't believe my review, take a look at the excellent review of the book by the New York Times. I hightly recommend this book to all those who have enjoyed Linda Simon's previous biographies, and to all those who agree William James is a man worth remembering.