Bertrand Russell: The Spirit of Solitude, 1872-1921

click here for more details, find new or used items	Ray Monk Used from £31.98 Pages: 720 (Hardcover) ISBN: 0684828022 Pub: The Free Press Pub date: 1996-10-28 Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 450106

Reader Reviews:

The Russell Paradox (3/3 people found this helpful)

Those looking for an hagiography should look elsewhere as Monk's book certainly contrasts sharply with Russell's autobiography, which, presented with his usual charm and insouciance, leaves a rather more favourable impression of the man. The impression that Monk's book leaves is of Russell as a total paradox, something which seems to characterize his rather complex personality and runs like a thread through every aspect of his life and work.

It is a book well worth reading, as there is so much to be gained from it, if not a very favourable view of Russell himself. Not least of these things, are some very interesting insights into the personalities of some now famous intellectuals and the morals of the then ruling-classes. Outstanding amongst these is the extraordinary Lady Ottoline Morrell, an aristocratic aesthete, who was a great patron of the arts and associate of the Bloomsbury Group. It is amusing to find that despite Russell's reputation for intellect, she ran rings round him throughout their long relationship. It is notable that despite Lady Ottoline's role as co-conspirator in many of Russell's predatory priapic adventures, she escapes Monk's condemnation. Other personalities who cannot fail to fascinate are those of D.H. Lawrence, T.S. Eliot and Joseph Conrad. The resolute determination of the admirable Irene Cooper-Willis, to stay out of Russell's bed, is both hilarious and an inspiring example of a blue-stocking.

Monk's book also provides an important perspective on British society, in the years leading up to WW1 and Russell's objection that the newly elected Liberal Government, found itself committed to war due to the private personal assurances made to allies, have echoes in Blair's more recent, similarly unconstitutional commitments. Here another Russell paradox emerges, as he initially was not against war per se but only a war against Germany: a war against Russia would, under his terms, have been acceptable.

A fascinating history worth reading, even if it is only to debunk the mythology surrounding the name of Bertrand Russell.

One genius or two? (2/2 people found this helpful)

Ray Monk makes it clear in this book that he dislikes Russell.

As a hitherto ardent Russophile, this ought to have given me cause for concern that I would find problems with this book.

I nonetheless recommend it to even those of a similar disposition to myself, it is probably the best biography (of any subject) that I have ever read.

It attempts to be more probing and insightful (and thus results in being more contentious) than anything I have ever read concerning Russell's motivations, both conscious and otherwise.

For someone who has taken us so far towards appreciating the tragic explanations for their subject's weaknesses, Ray Monk himself perhaps needs to explain why dislike has emerged rather than sysmpathy.

Or perhaps answering this question is ultimately a job for this biographer's biographer?

Excellent (0/1 people found this helpful)

This is a very good biography of a very interesting man. (I am merely amused by the previous two readers who say the opposite! It reminds one of the reaction to Russell in his own time...)

Russell's wit, passion, intellect shine through his life. His crusade against religion, superstition and oppression is inspiring. His vision is true and simple. All of these can be much better appreciated by reading this book and seeing the lovable man behind the powerful thoughts!

Well-written bio of a less-than-fascinating character (0/0 people found this helpful)

After finishing Ray Monk's brilliant _Ludwig Wittgenstein: The Duty of Genius_, I rushed to order his more recent bio of Bertrand Russell from Amazon. The good news is that Monk applies the same scrupulous research, insight, and objectivity to Russell as he did to Wittgenstein. The bad news is that, to me at least, Russell was so much less of an interesting figure than Wittgenstein, that the hundreds of pages of careful Russell biography (covering only the first half of his long life, mind you!) get tiresome pretty quickly. Monk manages to convey the stark contrast between Russell's public and private lives, and how acutely Russell felt this difference, but mostly what this book is about is whose wife Russell is sleeping with at a given time (R. seems to have been interested only in married women), with excerpts from the embarrassingly heart-felt letters he writes when he dumps one of these femmes fatales for the next one. Ray Monk has probably written the definitive long biography on the younger Bertrand Russell. The question is, do you really want to read it?

Ways to go to Hell- Really fast! (0/9 people found this helpful)

Explores the diastrous life of a man who thought he knew it all. His idiocy is illuminated time and time again. His hatred of God is interesting and he, I guarantee you wishes he could do it all over again. Ignore this and read the Bible.

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