"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Gullan-Whur paints a detailed picture of 17th-century Dutch life, from the smoky peat fires used to combat the North Sea chill to the omnipresent tobacco smoke, which was believed to have great medicinal value. She discusses the history of Spanish and Portuguese Jews (marranos) in Amsterdam, the extent to which the marranos assimilated into Dutch culture, and ways in which marrano values may have affected Spinoza. She further describes what is known of Spinoza's family, such as the death of his mother when he was 6 and his father's standing in the Jewish and Dutch communities, and explores the origins of Spinoza's evident misogyny.
Whether you're a Spinoza enthusiast, an informed critic, or are ignorant of all things Spinozan, the results of Gullan-Whur's research and analysis are fascinating, vividly depicting an era, a place, and a man whose theories did not always manifest themselves in his daily practices--despite his great impatience with pretence and false acts of piety. He was an intellectual rebel and did not suffer fools lightly, he treated dogma and hypocrisy with insolence and sarcasm, and he spurned irrational emotion. He alienated the rabbis, and they declared him a heretic. He rejected the lucrative merchant career he'd have inherited from his father and supported himself by grinding lenses. And although he stressed the importance of one's physical and spiritual health--through food, entertainment, and sensual delights--he neglected himself in such matters and died, alone and disheartened, at the age of 45.
Despite the inconsistencies that Spinoza was subject to, his treatises on ethics and the power of reason were born of an alienation and grief not uncommon in our own fragmented society. It is as timely now to study Spinoza's philosophies as it ever was, and thanks to Gullan-Whur's excellent biography, it's also possible to gain some insight into the man who conceived them. --Stephanie Gold
Cover paintings: Portrait of Spinoza, Dutch School, second half of the 17th century, reproduced courtesy of Haags Historisch Museum, The Hague; detail from The Dam with the New Town Hall under Construction by Johannes Lingelbach reproduced by courtesy of Amsterdams Historisch Museum, Amsterdam.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 5.45
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. In shrink wrap. Seller Inventory # 100-06712
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0312253583
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # L5-126
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard0312253583
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think0312253583
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # Abebooks71242
Book Description Condition: New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! 1.65. Seller Inventory # Q-0312253583