DEAR BERTRAND RUSSELL; A Selection of His Correspondence with the General Public 1950-1968

Bertrand Russell, Ed. by Barry Feinberg and Ronald Kasrils

ISBN 10: 1299149936 / ISBN 13: 9781299149939

Published by Houghton Mifflin Company, 1969

About this Item

Green cloth cover has a tiny hole/tear (less than 1/8") in cloth on back hinge, otherwise pristine. Boards and spine are straight. Binding is tight. Pages are clean and pristine. Book has never been cracked open.; 8.2 X 5.8 X 1.0 inches.

Seller Inventory # 511

Bibliographic Details

• Title: DEAR BERTRAND RUSSELL; A Selection of His Correspondence with the General Public 1950-1968
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
• Publication Date: 1969
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1299149936
• ISBN 13: 9781299149939
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition; First Printing.
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket
• Seller catalogs:
  • Biography
  • First Editions (First Edition Book Room)

About this title

Synopsis

This volume is unique. Not the familiar collection of letters between a prominent individual and his equals, but one that has universal appeal, giving an insight into the personality and mind of one of the world's great thinkers, from the viewpoint of the broad public with whom he has corresponded. Probably no other single great man has ever had such a prolific and generous exchange of letters with the people. Considering his incredibly active and busy life, his involvement in outstanding causes, his prodigious output of books, essays and speeches, and his rich correspondence with the foremost literary, scientific and political figures of the century, it is astonishing that he has been able to find the time and effort to correspond with thousands of lesser mortals. On reflection, however, the surprise is bound to subside, for the essential observation about Russell is his concern for the whole of humanity and for each individual. That is why he has not remained detached but has been accessible to everyone and to the problems raised by anonymous individuals. As a result, he has crashed through the communication barrier, testified to by the existence of tens of thousands of letters similar to those featured in this selection. Among the diverse questions on religion, morals, philosophy and politics are letters of admiration and support, others hostile and critical, and many simply curious about Russell's personal tastes and habits, his views on youth and old age, and his attitude about the most ordinary things covering a delightful spectrum of his personality. This selection of his correspondence reveals that side of the man which is turned away from the public stage and directed at each individual on a personal level. It opens a rare window on Russell, not the famous man, but the human being.