- Hardcover: 352 pages
- Publisher: Virago (3 Nov 2011)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1844085481
- ISBN-13: 978-1844085484
- Product Dimensions: 14.3 x 3.1 x 22.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 177,963 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Book Of Friendship
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More About the Author
Product Description
Book Description
* A beguiling and thoughtful account of the culture of friendship
Product Description
Aristotle prized friendship. Kierkegaard judged it sinful. But from playground to grave, friendships play a critical role in our lives. Friendships define and even replace relationships with siblings and parents; they can last decades longer than some marriages, and be just as turbulent and passionate. With 'the big society' and social networking dominating the headlines, modern friendships and how we create and maintain them are very much under debate. In The Book of Friendship, Josie Barnard explores this elusive and potent phenomenon. Moving seamlessly from Boudicca to Jennifer Aniston, from Nietszche to Morecambe & Wise, she examines how friendship is affected by class, gender and geography, and the circumstances that can turn a passing acquaintance into a lifelong friend. The Book of Friendship discusses with wit, intelligence and sparkling insight every aspect of this alluring, uplifting, vital relationship.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a gem of a book. Miss Barnard explores friendship in such a witty comprehensive manner that other writers should be wary of touching the subject. On opening the book, the reader embarks on a fascinating journey through the joys and vicissitudes of friendship from 12th. Century BC Greek poet Homer's 'philia' which meant only extending hospitality and protections to a fellow Greek, to Bart Simpson's bullying friendship with Millhouse, and onward to the changes in friendship brought about by social networking.
The author is erudite without being stuffy. Her sense of humor shines on every page. Opinions of philosophers and sociological studies are cleverly interwoven with amusing gossipy anecdotes about friendships between famous people. This is a page turner and an excellent gift for a 'friend'.
The author is erudite without being stuffy. Her sense of humor shines on every page. Opinions of philosophers and sociological studies are cleverly interwoven with amusing gossipy anecdotes about friendships between famous people. This is a page turner and an excellent gift for a 'friend'.
Format:Kindle Edition
An interesting and richly researched exploration of the complex phenomenon of friendship. I like the way the author brought what could have been a dry and scholarly work to life with revelations about her own authentic experiences.
Format:Hardcover
This book isn't my usual kind of read at all. I am much more at home with a contemporary novel, and I must admit that I initially suspected that this might be one of those 'uplifting' collections of anecdotes and quotations that seem so ubiquitous these days.
So I was pleasantly surprised when I flicked through it and found it to be a stimulating and wide-ranging essay on all aspects of friendship- philosophical, psychological, social and personal. I soon turned back to the start and began to read in earnest. The author's style is witty and enjoyable, which makes the book very easy to read, while also raising some challenges- it certainly made me think about my and my children's friendships in relation to class, race and gender.
I think that one of the best compliments that you can pay to an essay is that it causes a reaction in the reader, and 'The Book of Friendship' certainly did that, leading me to e-mail a couple of 'old friends' and also to look up the works of some of the philosophers mentioned in more detail.
All in all, highly recommended.
So I was pleasantly surprised when I flicked through it and found it to be a stimulating and wide-ranging essay on all aspects of friendship- philosophical, psychological, social and personal. I soon turned back to the start and began to read in earnest. The author's style is witty and enjoyable, which makes the book very easy to read, while also raising some challenges- it certainly made me think about my and my children's friendships in relation to class, race and gender.
I think that one of the best compliments that you can pay to an essay is that it causes a reaction in the reader, and 'The Book of Friendship' certainly did that, leading me to e-mail a couple of 'old friends' and also to look up the works of some of the philosophers mentioned in more detail.
All in all, highly recommended.
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