- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: Routledge; New edition edition (24 Sep 1984)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0415109248
- ISBN-13: 978-0415109246
- Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 13 x 1.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,190,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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'A book full of rich, stimulative thought, with plenty of scope for disagreement.' - The Guardian
'Invariably intelligent, stimulating and lucid.' - The Listener
'There is not ... a page which does not provoke argument or thought.' - The Sunday Times
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
Like most of my generation, I was brought up on the saying: 'Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do.' Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Like most of my generation, I was brought up on the saying: 'Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do.' Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The kind of practical, eminently sensible writing to be expected from Russell. In the essay from which this book takes its name, Russell argues that universal adoption of a three day working week (which should be possible in virtue of the supposedly labour saving devices we continue to invent) would solve many of the problems of the world. Some time has passed since this book was written, but the valuable lessons of this, as of others of these essays, have yet to be learnt. A book well worth reading.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5 reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Brilliant Writing, Brilliant Thoughts
16 Jan 2003
Format:Paperback
Russell became famous as a mathematician and philosopher.
But when he won the Nobel Prize, it was for Literature. When you read this book of essays, you will see why.
It is beautifully written and has all of Russell's virtues: clarity, wit, humor, forcefulness, simplicity.
Even better, it is a brief education in itself. Most of the essays were written just as the Great Depression was beginning, and Russell gets right to the heart of a problem Capitalists and Socialists do not usually address: How much work is needed, and what is the ultimate point? He constantly stresses that we do too much work, and most of it is unneeded, and makes life grim. He never ceases to remind us that we should work to live, not live to work.
He addresses this point in many ways--through economics, through architecture, through the then-raging problems of Fascism and Communism. And though he treats serious problems seriously, he always has time for the breathtaking perspective and the ligtht touch--as with the essay, "Man Versus Insects."
A wonderful, even life-changing book.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
In Praise of this Book
5 Nov 2003
Format:Paperback
+++++
Controversial philosopher and Nobel Prize winner Lord Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) has written fifteen scintillating essays on which to whet our intellectual appetites. These short essays were written between 1925 and 1935.
Russell writes in an elegant, readable, and understandable style. His arguments are well thought out.
These essays consider social questions not discussed in politics. The general theme that ties these essays together is that the world suffers from dogmatism and narrowness; what is needed is the willingness to question dogma.
These essays are a blend of philosophy with other disciplines such as psychology, economics, science, and history. All the essays are brutally honest and forthright. Each is packed with loads of wisdom. What's amazing is that these essays are as current today as when they were first written and their messages will probably remain relevant in the future.
My five favorite essays in this collection include the following:
(1) "In Praise of Idleness." Discusses work and the importance of leisure. In order to get an idea of Russell's insight that permeates this book, here's a sample sentence from this essay: "The morality of work is the morality of slaves, and the modern world has no need of slavery."
(2) "'Useless' Knowledge." Points out that all knowledge is useful not only that which has a practical value.
(3) "The Case for Socialism." Russell gives many arguments in favor of socialism, most notably the need for preventing war.
(4) "Western Civilization." Discusses its characteristics. Sample sentence: "I cannot escape from the conclusion that the great ages of progress have depended upon a small number of individuals of transcendent utility."
(5) "Education and Discipline." Sample sentence: "Education...must be something more positive than mere opportunity for growth...it must...also provide a mental and moral equipment [for] children."
In conclusion, this book is Bertrand Russell at his best. Enjoy!
+++++
Controversial philosopher and Nobel Prize winner Lord Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) has written fifteen scintillating essays on which to whet our intellectual appetites. These short essays were written between 1925 and 1935.
Russell writes in an elegant, readable, and understandable style. His arguments are well thought out.
These essays consider social questions not discussed in politics. The general theme that ties these essays together is that the world suffers from dogmatism and narrowness; what is needed is the willingness to question dogma.
These essays are a blend of philosophy with other disciplines such as psychology, economics, science, and history. All the essays are brutally honest and forthright. Each is packed with loads of wisdom. What's amazing is that these essays are as current today as when they were first written and their messages will probably remain relevant in the future.
My five favorite essays in this collection include the following:
(1) "In Praise of Idleness." Discusses work and the importance of leisure. In order to get an idea of Russell's insight that permeates this book, here's a sample sentence from this essay: "The morality of work is the morality of slaves, and the modern world has no need of slavery."
(2) "'Useless' Knowledge." Points out that all knowledge is useful not only that which has a practical value.
(3) "The Case for Socialism." Russell gives many arguments in favor of socialism, most notably the need for preventing war.
(4) "Western Civilization." Discusses its characteristics. Sample sentence: "I cannot escape from the conclusion that the great ages of progress have depended upon a small number of individuals of transcendent utility."
(5) "Education and Discipline." Sample sentence: "Education...must be something more positive than mere opportunity for growth...it must...also provide a mental and moral equipment [for] children."
In conclusion, this book is Bertrand Russell at his best. Enjoy!
+++++
7 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Must-read material for the man of the next century. . .
16 Mar 1998
Format:Paperback
Written by a very advanced thinker, this book represents a shattering statement against the Christian petit-burgois morality of work, a true revolution and evolution in man's thinking.
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