- Paperback: 344 pages
- Publisher: University of Chicago Press; New edition edition (14 Oct 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0226038696
- ISBN-13: 978-0226038698
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,407,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
"James anticipated the second half of the 20th century; relativism and urgent existentialism are more than implicit in his thinking. However, he was also an old-fashioned Yankee stoic, skeptical but always yearning for a faith he knew he would never really have. In this book he emerges as a friend to a distinguished contemporary historian - Jacques Barzun's intellectual guide and moral example. Somewhere in the universe the ardent, robust walker William James must be quietly delighted at receiving this eloquent and wise testimonial." - Robert Coles, New York Times Book Review "This book contains the central constructive thesis upon which its author's profound reputation is based. It is, in itself, an education in the liberal arts." - Martin Lebowitz, The Virginia Quarterly Review
Product Description
Commenting on William James's life, thought and legacy, Barzun leaves us with a wise and civilized distillation of the great thinker's work.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a useful introduction to James' fascinating but not easily approachable body of work. Barzun can be prolix, as James can; like James, too, his thinking can be quite convoluted for someone whose watchword is simplicity. But he gives a good biographical sense of his subject, and more than superficial summaries of his psychology, his philosophy of pragmatism and his engagement with the hinterlands of consciousness. And the long chapter 'The Reign of William and Henry', which surveys the science, philosophy and art of the 1890s, is a tour de force.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
64 of 71 people found the following review helpful
A walk to remember!
21 Nov 2002
Format:Paperback
After reading 5 of his books now, I'm not sure there's much that Jacques Barzun can't do. Honestly, I, like most people, think they understand William James and I, like most people, found out that I was further from him than I thought. In an engaging thrill of a book, Barzun explains James- dare I say it- better than James explained James. Of course, WIlliam James, who, when pragmatism is differentiated from pragmaticism, pioneered a completely new system of thought. As such, he did not always express himself well. His "Pragmatism" befuddled more people than not and "The Meaning of Truth," meant as a clarification, confused those not already scratching their heads. In the end, James fell by the philosophical wayside until Barzun dusted our friend off and re-introduced us.
Barzun explains James' pragmatism from the ground up, so to speak. He starts with "The Principles of Psychology," which is really one of the best written pieces of American non-fiction on the planet and James' philosophical starting point. Next, he goes into "Pragmatism" and "The Meaning of Truth" taking much of the ambiguity out of a philosophy already difficult to the unaccustomed. Next, "A Pluralistic Universe" gets a summation along with "Varieties of Religious Experience." I hope I am not leaving you with the imppression that Barzun is doing any of this in an academically dry, sardonic manner. Nope. Just like James, his words bubble with excitement and humongous energy.
Honestly, before I started this book, I wasn't the biggest fan of William James and after, I'm still not the biggest fan of Wiliam James (preferring John Dewey much more). Still, I've come away the better for getting to know Barzun and James; i've read a great book and learned a bit more about a great (if tragic) philosophy. Also, read "The Metaphysical Club" and James' own "Principles of Psychology."
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Barzun & James
29 Nov 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This beautifully written meditation on the character and talent of William James was in itself a pleasure to read. Even more valuable was the impetus it provided for me to get into James himself, first "Varieties of Religious Experience," then "Principles of Psychology," both of which surpassed even Barzun for the delicious time spent with that great and generous intellect. Such a pleasure. Thanks, Jacques!
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