Amazon.com
He was born before the Civil War, but Linda Simon's lively biography Genuine Reality depicts William James (1842-1910) as a decidedly contemporary thinker. A pioneering psychologist and unorthodox philosopher, he rejected rigid systems in favor of a flexible, relativist approach that stressed the fluid nature of identity and physical reality. His students at Harvard (Gertrude Stein, for one) found this immensely liberating, as did James himself. One of the book's many virtues is Simon's sensitive analysis of how his ideas rescued him from years of spiritual confusion and the smothering embrace of a neurotic family.
--Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.
From Library Journal
Although many studies on William James (1842-1910) include biographical information, this work is only the second full-scale biography (after Gay Wilson Allen's William James: A Biography, LJ 5/1/67). James's life experiences, interests, and accomplishments were so varied, wide-ranging, and encompassing that another major biography is certainly warranted. Both books cover well the principal events and relationships in James's life?his early European travel; influential father; wife, siblings, and friends; breakdown and recovery; physical and emotional vulnerability; career indecision; role as teacher; and work in, and contributions to, psychology and philosophy. While both biographers are clearly taken by James, Simon (English, Skidmore Coll.) is perhaps a little less hagiographic than Allen and therefore gives, perhaps, a more accurate and complete picture of his temperament and personality. For public and academic library collections.?Leon H. Brody, U.S. Office of Personnel Mgt. Lib., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.
