Yours Faithfully, Bertrand Russell: Letters to the Editor 1904-1969

Russell, Bertrand

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 081269449X ISBN 13: 9780812694499

Publisher: Open Court, 2001

Bertrand Russell was one of the greatest philosophers of our time. In addition, he engaged in a lifelong battle with the forces of injustice emphasizing the importance of practice as well as theory. His most effective weapon in this struggle was letters to newspapers and magazines, most of which are collected in this volume. Russell exposes the irrationality of leaders and defends the public against the evils of the time, from British conscription in World War I and fascism in the 1930s to McCarthyism in the 1950s and the Vietnam War in the 1960s. These 400 witty, acerbic letters show him brilliantly sparring with both ordinary citizens and the most powerful leaders of the day, touching on everything from war and peace to sexual ethics and religion.

Synopsis:

This comprehensive volume captures one of the twentieth century's greatest philosopher's lifelong battle with the forces of injustice, ignorance, and cruelty - a crusade not always welcomed by his own government, which twice imprisoned him. Russell used his more than 400 letters to the editor, most of which are collected in this volume, to reach large numbers of the public quickly when his controversial stances made it difficult to have his articles published in the popular press. Yours Faithfully, Bertrand Russell allows us to see Russell at his polemical best, dueling wittily and wisely with both ordinary citizens and the most powerful political leaders of his day, freely expressing his insights on a wide range of subjects from war and peace to human rights, early childhood education, sexual ethics, and religion. These letters tell us much about the social and political history of our last century and relay an inspiring story of one man's protracted efforts to infuse the public spirit with reason and compassion.

About the Author:

Ray Perkins, Jr. is professor of philosophy at Plymouth State College in New Hampshire. He is Executive Secretary of the Northern New England Philosophical Association, a member of the Board of Directors of the Bertrand Russell Society, and Chair of the Department of Philosophy.