A college applicant allegedly wrote the following one-word essay to describe himself: "Concise." While I was tempted to coopt that entire essay as a review for this book, ultimately I decided to be more verbose: first, some general remarks about the relevance of this book, then a summary of its content.

I often lament that the mythical "average person" does not appreciate what counts as evidence, nor distinguish between prejudice and rational conclusion. This is particularly evident in the realm of politics, where inflammatory rhetoric is the rule and rational argument the exception. If this tiny book (or its equivalent) were required reading for every high school senior, or college freshman, I wager there would be a wholesale shift in the texture and value of day-to-day discourse. No longer would we hear "Don't vote for that crook!", but the more sober, albeit prolix, application of modus tollens, "Public office requires honesty. Jones is dishonest. Therefore, Jones should not be elected to public office."

Of course, "Don't vote for that crook!" will never be abandoned for the simple reason that it is good tight prose. Yet, wouldn't it be grand if it were crystal clear to everyone that it is simply shorthand for the more prolix version? I claim that it would, for then we would be apt to challenge such a remark with "What evidence do you have that Jones is dishonest?", rather than "Would you rather I vote for that child molester, Smith?" The latter invites further character assassination of Jones, if not impeachment of his entire lineage. Perhaps I'm just a stuffy academic, but I can't help thinking that the introduction of a bit of cool logic into every-day discourse would lower our collective blood pressure and maybe, just maybe, allow us to occasionally see beyond our prejudices.

This wonderful little book lists 44 specific suggestions, or "rules", for injecting much-needed logic into argumentative discourse. In the author's words, each rule is "illustrated and explained soundly but above all briefly"; Hence, to Weston the book is a "rulebook" not a textbook. Weston continues "In this book, 'to give an argument' means to offer a set of reasons or evidence in support of a conclusion." This is in contrast to the variety accompanied by loud invective and broken china.

Throughout the book, Weston offers advice that we would all do well to remember. For example, he reminds us that one can neither craft nor analyze an argument by merely consulting our prejudices, and that "it is your reasons, not your language, that must persuade." With regard to language, Weston asserts that prejudicial or loaded language "preaches only to the converted, but careful presentation of the facts can itself convert." Moreover, "It is not a mistake to have strong views. The mistake is to have nothing else." Well put.

Weston also injects some broadly applicable principles of critical thinking (although he does not label them as such). For instance, in contemplating possible solutions, explanations, or causes, he urges us to continually look for more options, rather than immediately narrowing them. In so doing, we can state our case more fairly, and possibly head off objections more effectively. But perhaps the most important admonition is this: "If you can't imagine how anyone could hold the view you are attacking, you just don't understand it yet." Imagine a world in which all disputants took this to heart!

Beginning with short arguments consisting of a sentence or two, Weston builds to a chapter on crafting effective long arguments. As usual, Weston anticipates common blunders and warns us, for example, to first "find out what each side considers the strongest arguments for its position." He then prepares us for the inevitable process of rewriting and reorganizing our arguments as we accumulate evidence and analyze positions on all sides. He coolly advises us to adopt a different strategy, or even a different conclusion, should we discover that our initial inclinations are not adequately supported by the available evidence. While this may seem obvious, it would be wonderful if everyone actually did this.

Weston provides some concrete advice on writing, such as developing one idea per paragraph, getting to the point quickly, and stating the conclusion clearly and directly. According to Weston, you ought not "fence more land than you can plow. One argument well-developed is better than three only sketched." To do otherwise would be like "preferring ten very leaky buckets to one well-sealed one." Finally, Weston urges us to preemptively raise possible counter-arguments and to develop them in sufficient detail that our readers will fully appreciate the position we are disarming.

The book includes a short but helpful chapter on fallacies, focusing primarily on the two "great fallacies" of generalizing from incomplete information and overlooking alternative explanations. One angle that I found illuminating is that several classic fallacies are in fact species of "overlooking alternatives", such as "affirming the consequent", "denying the antecedent", and "false dilemma". Several fallacies were discussed in this chapter that I have not encountered elsewhere, at least not by these names: specifically, the fallacies of "persuasive definition", "poisoning the well", "provincialism", and "weasel words". All are tersely but amply illustrated. Weston concludes with a brief chapter on definitions, of which there are several varieties: stipulative, operational, essential, and genus-and-differentia. I found these distinctions to be equally illuminating. As Richard Feynman said, "To name a thing is not the same as to know a thing", yet it is often a step in the right direction.

In summary, I found this book to be an excellent guide to crafting effective arguments. Although I have studied formal logic fairly extensively, and even informal logic to a lesser degree, this book left me with many new ideas, and made familiar old ideas suddenly more cogent and relevant. And, it's concise.

This book is an excellent primer and reference book for basic logic, and only takes a few hours to read. It explains clearly and with good examples how to think and write logically, and also includes a short section on fallacies. I would especially recommend it to anyone who is in college or university and wants to increase their grades, especially on term papers.

This book is a great tutorial in argumentation, and for 6 bucks (less used), it cannot be beat. A must read (or something similar in its place) for any educated mind. Really!

A good introduction to Xanth, I guess. I haven't read any other Xanth books, though. If you know, could you e-mail me at wibsatp@hotmail.com?

The Xanth stories are full of wonderful puns and jokes. It also is filled with action, romance, and young women whom, for some reason or another show their panties to creatures. This is not a dirty book however. This is perfect from young adult to ancient adult.

This is a great book to learn even more about the land of Xanth from characters to hazards. The authors portray a terrific summary of the books. Even though I've just started reading about Xanth I think The Visual Guide to Xanth is a must read even before you start the others!

A former political activist in the occupied territories looks back on his youthful struggle to come to terms with his father, as well as with an idealized Palestinian past and an unrealized Palestinian future. Shehadeh, a lawyer and a writer who now lives quietly in the West Bank town of Ramallah, founded the internationally respected human rights organization Al Haq, which mounted legal challenges to Israeli settlements on the West Bank and exposed the treatment of Palestinians in Israeli prisons. Raja's father, Aziz Shehadeh, was also a prominent lawyer and a political activist. A refugee from Jaffa following the 1948 conflict, Aziz came to believe that recognizing Israel was the only way to maintain a Palestinian nation. He was condemned by Arab nationalists and also drew fire when he became the defense attorney for those accused of assassinating King Abdullah of Jordan. He was murdered in 1985, not for his political beliefs but probably over a minor legal wrangle. All this lays the foundation for Raja's reflections on his childhood, during which family members incessantly recalled their former comforts and refused to confront the reality of the Israeli takeover. Chapters about Raja's education in London and India reveal the emotional conflict between father and son, as well as Raja's efforts to find a role for himself in the political struggle between Palestinians and Israelis. Partly as a result of his disillusionment with the Israeli investigation of his father's murder, he affiliated with the first intifada and became a legal advisor to the Palestinians at the Madrid peace conference in 1991. He left "in despair a year after they began." Shehadeh also describes eloquently the devastation of the biblical hills surrounding his home as Israeli bulldozers make room for settlements. A memoir both political and personal, offering a human and humane perspective on one Palestinian's life.

There is no doubt that Raja Shehaded is a well meaning and peaceful man. The Mid East would be a land of milk and honey if most of its inhabitants shared his noble aims. However, Shehaded mistakenly blames the present Israeli conflict for the central reason behind the rage of the Palestinian Arabs. The author's father was likely assassinated by militant Arabs because he advocated cooperation and coexistence with Israel. And yet, the author ironically still fails to concede that a large number of Palestinians will not be satisfied until the Jewish state is driven into the sea. Shehaded complains about the restrictions placed upon the movement of Palestinian citizens while virtually ignoring Israel's legitimate concerns to curtail violence. His charges of harassment and humiliation ring somewhat hollow when the whole situation is taken into context. Why doesn't Shehaded react more strongly against the murderous militants who force Israel to enact such draconian measures? He also seems to downplay their virulent anti-Semitism.

Raja Shehaded argues that peace mostly depends upon Israeli willingness to compromise. The Palestinians who have opted for death and destruction are portrayed as more than willing to lay down their arms once a just settlement is reached. Many categorically reject such a sanguine prediction. Bernard Lewis, for instance, in his most recent book, What Went Wrong?, is convinced that the whole Arab world is wallowing in rage and bitterness due to its falling behind the West. The Palestinians are merely a microcosm of wider Arab anger over the failure of the Muslim world to achieve anything significant in the last 400-500 years. Eric Hoffer's seminal work, The True Believer, points to the yearning of some people to seek a nihilistic cause to assuage their existential need for meaning. Eventually returning to a life of everyday normal concerns is a near impossibility. Admittedly, though, Shehaded has a valid point when objecting to the added Israeli settlements in the so-called occupied (the term disputed would be more accurate) territories. The author is right on target for blaming Israel for exacerbating an already volatile situation. Shehaded may jump to some erroneous conclusions, but he still is a voice for reasonableness and compromise. Unfortunately, the evidence indicates that few Palestinians care to listen to this decent and life affirming man. One can only hope that Raja Shehaded's influence dramatically increases in the immediate future.

This book should be considered required reading for anyone seeking to understand the current Palestinian - Israeli conflict. Shehadeh provides a very personal view of the reality of growing up in the occupied West Bank. Best of all, he pulls no punches - against Israel or his fellow Palestinians.

These three stories, in addition to being a great read, really moved me. Yet I can't fully pin point why I enjoyed this collection so much. Maybe it was Miguel de Unamuno's unique background as a Christian existentialist writing in the early twentieth century. Maybe it was the influence of cubism on his approach to these three stories. Perhaps it was just the stories themselves; I really grew attached to these characters and the subject matter. Abel Sanchez and The Madness of Doctor Mantarco are great reflections on art (and these stories are adequately discussed in other reviews) but my personal favorite was San Manuel Bueno, Martyr. The story about a well respected priest who no longer believes in God sounds cliche, Miguel de Unamuno writes it in a way that is heartbreakingly tragic. Because the story moved me on a decidedly personal level, it's hard for me to recommend this book with certainty: how am I to know whether it's true art, or whether it's a novel I happened to just particularly like? Still, I can speak for myself: Abel Sanchez and Other Stories is an impeccable piece of literature.

I began reading Unamuno only a year ago (in Spanish), and I am both dazzled and intrigued by Unamuno's philosophies: "La fe sin duda es nada mas que muerte" - Salmo II, faith without doubt is nothing but death. Unamuno, profoundly influenced by Kierkegaard, agonized on that eternal of questions: WILL I exist after death? His "lack" of faith was not atheistic. Rather, he was a man of rationale, like Descartes, and of scholarly question. He knew 17 languages (he taught himself Danish to read Soren K.) and profoundly changed the course of modern Existentialism.

..and other themes are treated in this volume. Abel Sanchez, the title narrative, is an incredible reterlling of the Biblical story of Cain and Abel. Unamuno is able to interweave christian faith and spanish culturalism in order to create a morally compelling story. This collection has had a profound influence on me. I highly recommend it if you are interested in Christianity, Spanish literature, or even good literature.

Eschatology (the main theme of this book) means the study of end times, if you were wondering. And yes, I agree with the author, the entire Bible is eschatologically related. The Book of Revelation is itself a condensed version of the Old Testament writings of the prophets, specifically that wonderful prophet, Isaiah. The author writes a little above the heads of the average person, nevertheless if you want to have your vocabulary on end-times issues enlarged, this appears to be interesting.

Honestly, I strongly disliked Hoekema's other writings, but this one is very very good. Clear argumentation; presents all sides, and then makes his conclusion based on solid Biblical foundation.

Put simply, Hoekema's book is simply a classic. Whether one agrees with him or not, one cannot find a better introduction to eschatology available from an amillennial perspective. There are a few unique contributions that this book contains:
(1) It shows how one can and should apply the already/not yet tension in eschatology. One cannot find this emphasis in many lay accessible books.
(2) It is not sensationalistic. While passionate about the things to come, he is careful not to fall prey to making prognostications.
(3) It does a good job of surveying the various millennial (and other eschatological) options in Christianity today without being overly simplistic and/or misrepresenting another position other than his own. This being so, he fairly and irenically shows why he holds his position.
(4) It represents a particular brand of amillennialism that understands the earthly prophecies of the OT not to refer to spiritual fulfillment in the church today (as many amills do), but in the new heavens and the new earth. In fact, his emphasis on the new earth in his book is surprisingly insightful.
(5) It also gives a very nice appendix which surveys the more recent developments in eschatological discussion (e.g., Cullman, Moltmann, Bultmann, Schweitzer, et al).

I do not agree with Hoekema on many issues. For instance, I am a partial preterist, and so I see a few passages in the past that he sees as still future. Also, I am a postmillennialist, thus seeing a more prosperous future for the pre-Advent church. Despite these differences, however, I gained a tremendous amount from reading Hoekema's book -- insights which I hope to help my own eschatological understanding to become more fully biblical. Let's all face it -- none of us probably has all our eschatology completely right. We need each other to appreciate all the variations and viewpoints the bible offers (see Poythress' "Symphonic Theology" for more on that subject).

In conclusion...

Whoever you are and whatever position you hold, it is doubtful that you can NOT benefit tremendously from a good reading of this book. If anything, it may just correct a misunderstanding of the amillennial position that many have today.

Happy reading!

Poor Edwin Spindrift, a proper Doctor of Philosophy and a lecturer on Linguistics passes out during one of his classes in Burma and is sent to London only to be diagnosed with a brain tumor. On the eve of his operation Spindrift awakens suddenly with an urge to escape the hospital. He starts off searching for his wife, so he could get some money from her, but he ends up unsure of what exactly he is searching for.
This is my first Anthony Burgess novel, and I was not disappointed. Burgess' description of the dark side of London is so detailed you can practically feel the grime. His characters are colorful caricatures, giving the book substance, especially the masochist kettle-mobster who swears that Spindrift is "kinky".
The linguistic aspect of the book is a little over the top; whenever Spindrift goes on about a word, the root of the word, it is a bit dull. His lecture on cockney, however was informative and amusing. There are several laugh out loud moments. R. Dickie, Spindrift's hospital roommate is so affable it's a shame he's only in the first few chapters. The most amusing part of the book, however, is when Spindrift is jailed in a flat, and in the middle of trying to escape suddenly becomes distracted by a dirty magazine.
I gave this book a three stars, but I think it's more a 3 ½. Edwin is a charming hopeless character who you can't help but cheer for. And at 260 pages the book is also quick read. It certainly won't disappoint.

Anthony Burgess (the late), author of many books including, "A Clockwork Orange," brings another masterful piece of literature to the English language.

"The Doctor is Sick," showcases Burgess tallents as a linguistic master with a control of and look at the English language in its many forms. Burgess' use of the English language as a plot moving device is at the same level of pure genius that it reached in his most famous novel, "A Clockwork Orange."

At the same time, this is a sentimental tale that looks at the modern world and its tendancy to dehumanize and objectify people. Funny, and comedic in an off kilter satirical way, this novel tries to bring the humanity back to the protagonist, the sick professor, Edwin Spindrift.

The story shows the same cyincal look towards the hospital, and specifically mental health issues, that were later seen in the second of Burgess' "Enderby" tales.

This is truely the story of the humanization of Dr. Spindrift and his joining the "real" world for the first time in his life. A wonderfuly written, bittingly satrical and greatly humorous book, this is a must read for anyone who enjoyed "Clockwork," the widely read "Complete Enderby," or any of Burgess' other works of fiction.

There is an insider look at the medical world, Burgess, who himself was diagnossed with a brain tumor, brings his own knowledge of the condition and adds to it the satire on British institutions that was a common theme in his fiction.

Anthony Burgess shows us that humanity is sick as much as the good doctor, and that it might be out tendancy to lose the human in the machines of every day life, that is the real problem.

I bought this book after being mesmerized by "A Clockwork Orange"

While nothing like ACO (except for Burgess's masterful use of language), this book was every bit as riveting.

Dr. Edwin Spindrift, a linguistics professor in Burma, is diagnosed with a brain tumor. He, accompanied by his oddball wife, goes to London for medical treatment.

In the hospital, the mellow Spindrift meets a whole assortment of people: unique patients, arrogant insensitive physicians, cold uncaring nurses, rude orderlies, distant medical technicians, and the people who love them. Confused, bored, and exasperated with painful medical tests, Spindrift "escapes" the brain ward to disappear into nighttime London.

Misty and cold "civilized" London is very alien to the doctor, who has grown accustomed to sunny tropical Burma. Fascinated and horrified at the same time, Spindrift wanders the dark recesses of a Modern Western City in search of... something. Or maybe he's just running.

Spindrift runs into some very strange and utterly believable people. He finds himself in unusual, bizarre situations, every one of them genuine and real. More at home with language and words than with people, Spindrift is nevertheless spellbound by the alien Londoners with their colorful speech and habits.

After numerous adventures (or misadventures), he finds himself back in the stark, bright, antiseptic hospital. The hospital being so very alien in its own way, Edwin Spindrift PhD wonders just how many of those bizarre memories were real... in retrospect, things seem so amazing.

The story is a bit dated yet enough has remained the same (proof that some things may never change) that Spindrift's wild trip is still understandable and imaginable. It's a story of perceptions, or false perceptions. TDIS was one of those rare books that I had to set down sometimes to THINK about what I had just read. I hadn't done that with a book in a long time. I enjoyed not only reading this book, but thinking about it, too.

A very sly tale. Highly recommended.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Honestly, Bombingham was a book club selection for me, so I had no choice in reading it! Initially I thought I would have a difficult time getting into the Vietnam sub-plot narrated by a male protagonist, but once I got started, I couldn't stop! It offered a viewpint often overlooked in media; the fact that the same black men who were sent to fight in Vietnam were coming from the ugly heart of Jim Crow, segregation, and an America bent on oppression. How difficult (impossible) it must have been to fight for a country that didn't fight for you...

I loved the depth of the characters, especially the family dynamics. For every action there is a catalyst, and the reader was presented with the opportunity to see the story from all perspectives.

Wonderful book!

How many of us remember the burning of homes and black businesses and the bombing of a church where four little girls were sitting in Sunday School? In Anthony Grooms' touching, poignant novel, Bombingham, you will travel back in time and be reminded, if you are old enough, and introduced if you were not, to that turbulent time of unrest in U.S. history. Bombingham became synonymous for Birmingham, Alabama because of the bombings of Negro homes and businesses was such common occurrences.

Fast forward to the Viet Nam War where Walter Burke finds himself with the dreaded task of writing to the parents of one of his fallen war comrades. How do you write a letter to the parents of a dead soldier? Haywood was a country boy from rural Alabama and was in awe of the fact that Walter was from Birmingham, the big city, where the civil rights struggle was prominent. Walter attempts to write this letter to make Haywood's parents understand why he was unable to discuss that dark, ominous period over several months that changed his life forever.

The story is told in first person from Walter as an eleven year-old boy from a solid middle class family in Birmingham. His father is a high school science teacher and mother a secretary for a wealthy black businessman. They were the kind of family we see on a funeral home fan; handsome father, pretty mother, young well-groomed boy and little sister with perfectly braided hair. They don't raise their voices, are nice people and a credit to the Negro race. But the pretty picture is shattered within a few months when a series of tragic events occur, events that mark the end of Walter's childhood innocence and existence.

He and his best friend, Lamar, a boy from the projects, are a pair of kids who ride their bicycles and have a paper route. Their dreams are to be astronauts; they cling to this hope though they realize that as Negroes, the chances are near impossible. Nevertheless they pursue their endeavors by collecting and dissecting specimens. Lamar is a daring kid and one day he talks Walter and his sister, Josie into trespassing in the Whites only park where they are caught and severely reprimanded by a White man. Meanwhile the civil rights movement has come to Birmingham full force and the children are pulled into it. Many of the Negro adults are fearful of the movement, some because of the fear of losing their government and teaching positions as well as domestic jobs, and many because they view the civil rights movement as something done by those "troublemakers". Walter's parents fall into both categories as many Negroes do, who feared for their lives standing up for basic human rights. Because many of the parents could not or would not join the marches and sit-ins, the children did so, embracing the charge with enthusiasm and fervor.

When Walter's mother becomes seriously ill, the family falls apart leaving in its wake alcoholism, abuse, and destroyed dreams that continued to haunt him as an adult. The notion that all blacks were for the movement is dispelled as many of them were in a resigned state of hopelessness and belief that is was the Negroes' lot to dare not hope for change. Poignant, compelling, moving, this story is however a testament to those brave souls, including the children, who sacrificed and stepped up to the plate for righteousness only to have their spirits and very lives snuffed out of them. This novel is a must read for those who have an interest in the civil rights movement. Thank you, Mr. Grooms for sharing this heart warming story.

Dera Williams
APOOO BookClub

This book knocked me down it was so beautiful and sad. Anthony Grooms takes an immeasurably difficult period in U.S. history and tells it through the eyes of young boy. Never dogmatic but viscerally true, this novel makes the suffering real and human in a way that history books never could. But more than anything, this is Walter's story, a boy who dreams of going to the moon, a boy who goes to war instead. This story will break your heart, in all the best ways. Thank you, Mr. Grooms.

I have been doing calculus for a very long time and I am appalled by the ugly approach to mathematics by these two authors. Math is so beautiful because it is not phoney and the outcome is useful, exciting, tangible, palpable. But not here. The authors simply love wasting time and energy with useless stuff like proving limits that are instinctively so obvious. What next, prove that 1+1=2? You might get sick of math reading this book, but it's not maths fault, really.

This book has helped me come into a firm understanding of some heavy calculus, and I now do well in my calculus classes. Thank you to Newton, for coming up with this stuff (and hijacking Liebniz' notes), and to the two authors, who made calculus easy to understand and very powerful as a tool of the future.

I used this book for three semesters and found it to be nothing less than excellent. Thorough demonstrated examples and tons of practice exercises allows the student to develop a comprehensive foundation in calculus. This book is my math Bible. I find it so valuable, I have kept to this day and still reference it when needed. A must for any serious math student.

If I could give this book 0 stars I would for truthful content, however, it would be a 5 star rating on the ability to confuse the populace with twisted truth. Just enough scripture to make 'biblically uninformed' people think this is a good thing. Just the fact that the author was a Jesuit priest should send up red flags for any Bible believing Christian. This book is NOT christian and points the reader to believe in himself instead of the Lord Jesus, and uses every pagan belief system rolled into one 'new' idea, ...Lord Bless you, Nora

I have been reading Anthony De Mello for years now and I really enjoy his spirituality. What shines through in all of his writings is the unique way in which he combines the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola and elements of ancient yogic traditions. The one spirit evident in his teaching: To bring out ht eguru in ourselves, to dance our own dance, to sing our own song. Another in a long example of De Mello's penchant for libertaing hearts and giving meaning to whatever spiritual path one is traveling.

If you have never meditated before, then you are exactly as I was before reading this book. It was the GREATEST experience I have ever had in terms of prayer, faith, and awareness of God. If you have an interest in meditation, or just in calming your mind, body and soul, take a look at this short, easy-to-read book by Anthony De Mello - you wont regret it!

I was hoping for a book that looked into the psychological aspects of solitude for people in general.

This book gives a selected account of how differnt artists have been inspired by being alone.

While this may be interesting to some, i got no real insight into why ordinary people choose solitude or its different aspects.

The subtitle of "Solitude", by noted British Psychiatrist, Anthony Strorr is "A Return To The Self." It is about knowing the self - you. There are many great books about solitude - Merton, Thoreau, Emerson and Grumbach, but this well written book is not about just solitude; it is about the value of solitude. The most interesting thing is that Storr first sets the stage by discussing the importance of relationships.

He starts with: "Love and friendship are of course, an important part of what makes life worthwhile." And then: "If we did not look to marriage as the principle source of happiness, fewer marriages would end in tears." and "If it is accepted that no relationship is ever ideal, it makes it easier to understand why men need other sources of fulfillment."

And finally, "Two opposite drives operate throughout life: the drive for companionship, love, and everything else which brings us closer to our fellow men; and the drive toward being independent, separate, and autonomous."

He implies that isolation is a psychological prison out side of society. Cults that isolate people are outside of the accepted mythology of humanity. If you cannot share your insights with your relationship or your community then you have experienced something other than solitude.

Storr reminds us that solitude is at it's best when it is an individual excursion from a fulfilling relationship. Storr explains the need for the paradox of the comfort of companionship versus the solace of solitude.

Solitude is not about an escape from life, but a re-entry into life with new insights from your time of solitude.

Please be patient with his summary of psychological history, because it is the explanation for the need of solitude in our lives.

This is the perfect book to read if you are starting your journey for the meaning of life. Your personal enlightenment, wherever it comes from, only has value when you share it with the place you came from. To embark upon Joseph Campbell's "Hero's Journey" start with this book.
Bon Voyage.

Frankly, I've always wondered why most humans choose to run around in herds when they could have much more fun (and learn more) listening to their own thoughts. This book, written with great intelligence and insight, proves just how powerful (and un-neurotic) solitude can be. You can't create in the midst of the madding crowd, and a creative, original life is what we all should strive for, whether we're socially inclined or solitudinous.

It's easy, and safe, to jump on the social bandwagon. Storr talks convincingly about the value of the other side of the coin, about those who get away and listen to their own music, and are not afraid to play it out loud.