Ludwig Wittgenstein: The Duty of Genius

From Publishers Weekly
According to Monk, philosopher and reluctant Cambridge don Wittgenstein (1889-1951) was driven by spiritual as much by intellectual concerns, exchanged academia for solitude whenever possible and was drawn to brilliant younger men. "Monk has done an excellent job of elucidating the twin journeys of an extraordinary mind and soul," said PW. Photos. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
The veritable flood of writings about Wittgenstein--fiction as well as nonfiction--continues unabated, and this is a worthy addition. Monk gives a more balanced account of Wittgenstein's life and personality than does Brian McGuinness ( Wittgenstein: A Life; Young Ludwig, 1889-1921, LJ 9/15/88), insofar as he deals with Wittgenstein's homosexuality and goes into considerable detail about the three main relationships in Wittgenstein's life. Monk has done a great deal of research; what emerges is a portrait of a troubled, restless, creative mind, one destined, it seems, to be forever dissatisfied. Though not the last word on Wittgenstein's life--something on the order of a "psychobiography" must someday be written--this book is highly recommended.- Leon H. Brody, U.S. Office of Personnel Management Lib., Washington, D.C.Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.


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Wittgenstein possessed one of the most acute philosophical minds of the 20th century. In this incisive portrait, Monk offers a unique insight into the life and work of a modern genius who radically redirected philosophical thought in our time.


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