The Philosophy of Bertrand Russell
This book is one of the series "Library of Living Philosophers," edited by Paul Schillp, published in the 1940s and 1950s. Each volume covers a particular philosopher and consists of critical essays by well-known philosophers on the particular philosopher being reviewed, followed by a response to critics by the philosopher.
I have two volumes: one on Einstein and the other on Bertrand Russell. Both are excellent and have taught me much about these great thinkers. My original copy on Russell consisted of two paperbacks which were falling apart from use. So I was very happy to come across a single-volumne hard-bound copy for $21 or so.
Essays in the Russell volume cover all aspects of Russell's philosophical thought, from logic, epistemology and metaphysics to education, politics, and ethics. Some of my favorites are the essays by Paul Ushenko on Russell's critique of empiricism and Ernest Nagel's on Russell's philosophy of science. And Russell's responses are a combination of graciousness and the sharp intellect he always exhibited. Anyone interested in Russell's philosophy (or Einstein's, Dewey's, Whitehead's,...etc.) should look into the Schillp series.
