Flesh in the Age of Reason [Paperback]

Roy Porter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2005

'As an introduction to early modern thinking and the impact of past ideas on present lives, this book can find few equals and no superiors. Porter is a witty, humane writer with an extraordinary vocabulary and a sparkling sense of fun. Whether he is quoting from obscure medical texts or analysing scabrous diaries, dishing the dirt on long-dead bigwigs or evoking sympathy for human suffering, his grasp is masterly and his erudition appealing. I wish I could read it again for the first time: you can.' Times Educational Supplement, Book of the Week In this startlingly brilliant sequel to the prize-winning ENLIGHTENMENT Roy Porter completes his lifetime's work, offering a magical, enthusiastic and charming account of the writings of some of the most attractive figures ever to write English.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roy Porter was until his retirement Professor in the Social History of Medicine at the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine. His last book ENLIGHTENMENT won a 2001 Wolfson Prize. He completed FLESH IN THE AGE OF REASON in the week of his death.

Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Books, Limited (UK) (June 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140167358
• ISBN-13: 978-0140167351
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 4.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,833,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down!, March 21, 2008

By 

Ian Mackechnie - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flesh in the Age of Reason (Paperback)

Porter's last work is another page turner! What a gripping way of writing he has, packing in a wealth of information with such an engaging style.

This book examines the attitude towards the 'flesh' or the body from a historic perspective. Drawing on his medical knowledge, as well as his deep familarity with the philosophical writers, Porter shows that the emergence of the scientific age resulted in the 'disappearance' of the 'soul' and the realization that flesh and soul, or spirit, are one. Hence, the implications for religious believers was, and still is, profound. No 'immortal soul', no afterlife; no afterlife, no god; no god, we are all alone; all alone, we live for ourselves and the society which help create us and the civil society in which we live.

The enlightenment, especially in the writing of Adam Smith (Theory of Moral Sentiments) and David Hume, both inspired by Isacc Newton, certainly opened our eyes to the point where we cannot honestly close them again!

This is certainly a liberating and 'enlightening' book.