J.S. Mill in 90 Minutes (Philosophers in 90 Minutes Series) [Paperback]

Paul Strathern (Author)

Book Description

Series: Philosophers in 90 Minutes Series | Publication Date: September 24, 2002

“Each of these little books is witty and dramatic and creates a sense of time, place, and character....I cannot think of a better way to introduce oneself and one’s friends to Western civilization.” Katherine A. Powers— Boston Globe.
“Well-written, clear and informed, they have a breezy wit about them....I find them hard to stop reading.”—Richard Bernstein, New York Times.
“Witty, illuminating, and blessedly concise.”—Jim Holt, Wall Street Journal.
These brief and enlightening explorations of our greatest thinkers bring their ideas to life in entertaining and accessible fashion. Philosophical thought is deciphered and made comprehensible and interesting to almost everyone. Far from being a novelty, each book is a highly refined appraisal of the philosopher and his work, authoritative and clearly presented.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Mill, of course, is the philosophical giant of liberal democracy. Strathern delivers his customarily concise dissection of a philosopher's logical route to his conclusions: Mill reached his through Utilitarianism, but not the cold variety of its originator, Jeremy Bentham. Strathern describes how Mill's more empathic appreciation of human behavior (he himself suffered from mental breakdowns) modified Utilitarianism, so that its slogan ("The greatest happiness of the greatest number") could be appended to seemingly opposite positions on current social or political issues. Lasting influence, indeed. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

A godsend in this era of the short attention span. (Daryl Royster Alexander New York Times )

Witty, illuminating, and blessedly concise. (Jim Holt Wall Street Journal )

Well-written, clear and informed, they have a breezy wit about them.... I find them hard to stop reading. (Bernstein, Richard New York Times )

Witty and dramatic.... I cannot think of a better way to introduce oneself and one's friends to Western civilization. (Katherine A. Powers Boston Globe )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 92 pages
• Publisher: Ivan R Dee (September 24, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566634733
• ISBN-13: 978-1566634731
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #454,419 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Good intro to Mill, November 15, 2010

By 

bronx book nerd (Bronx, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: J.S. Mill in 90 Minutes (Philosophers in 90 Minutes Series) (Paperback)

This is a very good introduction to John Stuart Mill's work and life. Unlike some of Strathern's other "90 minute" books, he does not overdo the humor or sarcasm. The author lays out clearly how Mill's upbringing affected Mill's life, as Mill's father did everything he could to turn him into a genius. J.S. Mill was apparently celibate his whole life, even after marrying the woman with whom he carried on a platonic affair of sorts while she was still married. Mill is best known for his exposition of utilitarianism as well as for works on political philosophy, like On Liberty. Strathern shows how democracies and political processes in open societies continue to be shaped to this day by Mill's thinking. Mill deserves the same recogntion that other major minds, like Newton and Darwin, for example, have received as fundamental shapers of the modern mind.