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ana_goulart66's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
ellieee200128's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
apocryphal_goose's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cla78280's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
racine0910's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
talfry's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
It's been years since I've read any Spinoza, but that wasn't a problem here - Yalom's historical faction includes long passages where Spinoza himself explains his rational process. Told in alternating chapters, we meet Spinoza at the time of his excommunication (cherem) from the Sephardic community in Amesterdam and a young Alfred Rosenberg, ultimately Hitler's publisher and the man who stole Jewish (and other) artworks for the Reich.
So, what is the Spinoza problem? Spinoza was a Jew of Portugese descent, a member of the "corrupt, inferior, poisonous" race - how could he possibly have influenced Goethe? The author posits that Rosenberg, convinced of the superiority of the Aryan race and the need to cleanse Europe of the Jewish plague, is obsessed with finding those Aryans Spinoza stole his ideas from.
At times this is a difficult book to read, particularly the parts where Rosenberg is going on about his racial superiority ideas (if one didn't know about the rise of the Reich and the Final Solution, it would seem implausible that these ideas could actually take over a political system). The same could be said for the reactions of the Amsterdam Jews to outside ideas and influences (pronouncing a cherem on someone who used an Ashkenazic butcher rather than a Sephardic one?). The philosophical ideas are far easier to digest, as Spinoza (or his 1920s interpreter, Dr. Pfister) walks Franco/Rosenberg (and, by extension, us) through them.
ARC provided by publisher.
So, what is the Spinoza problem? Spinoza was a Jew of Portugese descent, a member of the "corrupt, inferior, poisonous" race - how could he possibly have influenced Goethe? The author posits that Rosenberg, convinced of the superiority of the Aryan race and the need to cleanse Europe of the Jewish plague, is obsessed with finding those Aryans Spinoza stole his ideas from.
At times this is a difficult book to read, particularly the parts where Rosenberg is going on about his racial superiority ideas (if one didn't know about the rise of the Reich and the Final Solution, it would seem implausible that these ideas could actually take over a political system). The same could be said for the reactions of the Amsterdam Jews to outside ideas and influences (pronouncing a cherem on someone who used an Ashkenazic butcher rather than a Sephardic one?). The philosophical ideas are far easier to digest, as Spinoza (or his 1920s interpreter, Dr. Pfister) walks Franco/Rosenberg (and, by extension, us) through them.
ARC provided by publisher.
petabea's review against another edition
5.0
Spinoza is one of the most important philosophers in the history and a jew. His revolution was huge and it was not well accepted during his own time.
Rosenberg is a very important philosopher as well (he is in fact the brain behind Hitler's thinking) but is obsessed with Spinoza.
Yalom tells their stories, which are somehow similar. This is one of those books you cannot stop reading, and yet it is very deep, it explains the souls of the two main characters as well as giving a hint of their philosophy.
Definitely one of the best books I have ever read, since it's interesting and entertaining, but it also leaves something to think about.
Rosenberg is a very important philosopher as well (he is in fact the brain behind Hitler's thinking) but is obsessed with Spinoza.
Yalom tells their stories, which are somehow similar. This is one of those books you cannot stop reading, and yet it is very deep, it explains the souls of the two main characters as well as giving a hint of their philosophy.
Definitely one of the best books I have ever read, since it's interesting and entertaining, but it also leaves something to think about.