The epic wisdom contained in a lost library helps the author turn his life aroundJohn Kaag is a dispirited young philosopher at sea in his marriage and his career when he stumbles upon West Wind; a ruin of an estate in the hinterlands of New Hampshire that belonged to the eminent Harvard philosopher William Ernest Hocking. Hocking was one of the last true giants of American philosophy and a direct intellectual descendent of William James; the father of American philosophy and psychology; with whom Kaag feels a deep kinship. It is James’s question “Is life worth living?†that guides this remarkable book. The books Kaag discovers in the Hocking library are crawling with insects and full of mold. But he resolves to restore them; as he immediately recognizes their importance. Not only does the library at West Wind contain handwritten notes from Whitman and inscriptions from Frost; but there are startlingly rare first editions of Hobbes; Descartes; and Kant. As Kaag begins to catalog and read through these priceless volumes; he embarks on a thrilling journey that leads him to the life-affirming tenets of American philosophy―self-reliance; pragmatism; and transcendence―and to a brilliant young Kantian who joins him in the restoration of the Hocking books.Part intellectual history; part memoir; American Philosophy is ultimately about love; freedom; and the role that wisdom can play in turning one’s life around.
#328686 in Books Collier; Christopher/ Collier; James Lincoln 2007-06-26 2007-06-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.01 x .92 x 5.21l; .72 #File Name: 0345498402448 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Intriguing DecisionsBy VA DuckA thorough treatment of the 88-days of the Constitutional Convention of 1787. This book was described as a "favorite" of Professor Akhil Reed Amar in the afterward of his book America's Constitution: A Biography.It is a probing look at the factors producing a need for a national government and the compromises that were made or deals that were struck in gaining the various consensus' needed to produce the final form of the constitution. The book is well written and easily followed. It is both serious history and great entertainment - a tough combination for most authors.Professor Amar seems to minimize Shay's Rebellion as a factor in his book - while this book's authors; Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier observe; "Shay's Rebellion had made a difference..." (states began naming and sending delegations to the convention; Chapter-5). Charles Pinckney's contribution at the convention is magnified over the standing that many (most?) historians traditionally give to it. Pinckney's draft plan for a constitution was a serious draft that had major parts of it ultimately incorporated into the U.S. Constitution (Chapter-7). "Loathed" as he was by Madison - Pinckney's contribution may have been "diminished" in the record compiled by Madison! The research of historian Staughton Lynd is presented which lays out the case for a double-deal involving slavery that may have been coordinated jointly between the Confederation Congress in New York and the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia involving persons including: Hamilton; Mannasseh Cutler (The Ohio Land Co.); Franklin; Blount; Few; Pierce and others (Chapter-15). An historical hypothesis only... but backed-up with interesting coincidence and demonstrable interests. A lesser convention celebrity; Daniel of St Thomas Jenifer of Maryland; shows up late for a session allowing a vote to side with the "large states" thereby preventing rupture of the Convention (Chapter 13). He "strolls" into the room afterward - almost announcing non-coincidence. And ironically in Chapter 15; the authors observe; "...being a congressman was never expected to be a full time job" (loc. 2842). Who could keep a straight face for that?The authors (or is it the publisher?) have a strange sense of citation and notes. No superscript markers exist (in the e-book anyway) instead the reader may pour through an afterward section titled "Citations to Sources" where quotes used in the text are attributed - odd; awkward; and unsatisfying! Still - this book is a highly recommended read containing highlights not usually found in other; also very good; books that cover this same subject; e.g.: Stewert's The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution; or Bowen's Miracle At Philadelphia: The Story of the Constitutional Convention May - September 1787 or Rossiter's 1787: The Grand Convention.-----kindle edition-----Two or three typos or formatting errors - nothing serious. There are no page numbers - without which there is no good way to refer to the contents to non e-book readers. Instead of calculating pages we get how many "minutes left (to read) in the chapter or book" - a disappointing trade for more useful page numbers. And finally there IS an index; though not listed in the table of contents. Unfortunately most of the links from the index lead nowhere near the topic listed; as the kindle's word search will verify. e-Book publication quality for AudioGO publisher; ★★★☆☆ - mediocre.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Easy and entertaining read!!!By LeoSldrI love history but have a hard time following a book when there are numerous facts; dates; and circumstances thrown at me. This books breaks down certain key individuals and made it very easy and entertaining to read. If you are insterested in the constitutional convention and just why slavery was protected and women's rights not granted; read this. I have a better feeling about the US after reading this. Sure; the Founding Fathers made some mistakes but show me a perfect country and I'm certain you'll be on another planet. Great book!!!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent piece of work!By C. H. CobbWell worth the time and effort!Especially fascinating were the brief bios of the delegates. Also liked the author's approach of tracing an issue all the way from the beginning to the end; then rewinding to the beginning for the next issue.
