Customer Reviews

Locke: A Biography

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John Locke's political philosophy resides in a strain that was ultimately to run through the thinking of the Founding Fathers of the American Revolution. His life is therefore at least as interesting as that of any 17th century man. Besides his intellectual contributions, Locke lived in interesting times, in youth through the English Civil War and in his age through the Glorious Revolution that presaged America's revolution.
Woolhouse is a fine writer with depth of understanding of the period and of the copious primary sources (that include some of Locke's records of incidental expenses and even his laundry lists). He writes clearly about the development of the ideas in Locke's principal treatises, and provides a thorough description of his activities, almost month-to-month. This latter attribute of the work prompts me to knock a star from the rating to warn prospective readers that they may be in for a more detailed biography than they really want. For me slogging through a bit of detail is worth the effort to arrive at a clear picture of Locke, his influences and the era in which he lived.

This is a fascinating biography of the great Locke. It is well balanced in details of both the life and movements of Locke, as well as providing some concise discussion on his various works.

I was left the thought as to just how Locke's works may have developed if he, like all in his age, did not have the threat of religious politics breathing down his neck. I tend to believe he would have been a lot closer to Hume if he had both lived in Hume's age and had Hume courage ( and lack of political ambition!)

A great biography that almost demands to be finished in one sitting.