Karl Simms

Advantages: Concise, thorough, accessible
Disadvantages: A bit narrow in focus

...Karl Simms' text on Paul Ricoeur is part of a recent series put out by the Routledge Press, designed under the general editorial direction of Robert Eaglestone (Royal Holloway, University of London), to explore the most recent and exciting ideas in intellectual development during the past century or so. To this end, figures such as Martin Heidegger, Sigmund Freud, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault and other influential thinkers in critical thought are highlighted in the series, planned to include 21 volumes in all. Simms' text, following the pattern of the others, includes background information on Ricoeur and its significance, the key ideas and sources, and Ricoeur's continuing impact on other thinkers. As the series preface indicates, no critical thinker arises in a vacuum, so the context, influences and broader... Read review

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Advantages: Hilarious, light-hearted and easy to get into
Disadvantages: Quite short

...Quite simply the funniest book I've ever read, and one that highlights the genius that hides behind Karl Pilkington's clueless exterior. The book is made of up transcripts from the podcast series featuring Ricky Gervais, Karl Pilkington and Steve Merchant. All of the transcripts make the adaptation from sound to print very well and I defy anyone to read through them and not laugh out loud on several occasions. Added to the transcripts are amusing illustrations as well as diary extracts from Karl. The true genius behind Karl Pilkington is that behind every silly thing he says, there is a twisted logic. The book captures that very effectively. The book is fantastic to read for a largely irrelevent but hilarious view on life.... Read review

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Advantages: A charming insight into the mind of Karl
Disadvantages:

...Karl Pilkington's rise to fame came during his work as the 'producer' to Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's Saturday afternoon show on XFM Radio. Between 2001 and 2005 Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant brought out the best in Karl, exposing him and his views to the listen public for the first time. Whilst Gervais and Merchant spent much of their week writing and filming the award winning show "The Office," Karl spent his time thinking up ideas for the show, bringing such features as "Monkey News," "Songs of Phrase" and "Rock busters." When the trio left XFM radio they began recording the first of three series of podcasts. These podcast's would become the top downloaded podcasts of all time. They also brought about the introduction of "Karl's Diary." During 2006 Karl spent the year writing into his diary and reluctantly allowing... Read review

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