Nicholas Rescher

Advantages: A good primer into process metaphysics.
Disadvantages: Not for the casual reader.

...Before beginning my review of 'Process Metaphysics: An Introduction to Process Philosophy' by Nicholas Rescher, a brief note of explanation is in order, about what Process Theology is, who Whitehead is, and what my interest in it is. Let us start with personalities. Alfred North Whitehead was a teacher and mathematician. A protege of Bertrand Russell, he participated in the creation of Russell's great 'Principia Mathematica'. In 1924, at the age of 63, he became a Harvard professor (at the time most people would be thinking about retirement). Most of his purely philosophical work was done later in his life. Whitehead was greatly interested in metaphysics, crafting a master work entitled 'Process and Reality', which underwent constant revisions (hence, people talk about early Whitehead and late Whitehead. Metaphysics itself... Read review

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Advantages: Good plot
Disadvantages: One-dimensional characters

...Nicholas Nickleby is the first “romance” that Dickens wrote, which isn’t hard to tell while you’re reading it. It is very openly about good and evil, and possibly as a consequence of this most of the characters are somewhat two-dimensional. The plot engages the reader very easily, simply by changing direction every few chapters. The main character is, as one might expect from the title, Nicholas Nickleby, who comes to London with his mother and sister to seek financial assistance from his uncle after the death of his father. As Nicholas is inherently good and generous, and his uncle Ralph is inherently evil and a miser, the two take an instant dislike to each other, and this dislike drives the rest of the book. Ralph arranges for Nicholas to work as assistant master at a school in Yorkshire, a position he knows he will quickly come... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Very moving story
Disadvantages: too many adverts

...Recently "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, was shown on I.T.V. as a two part drama.It's based on the book Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens.This is one of the authors lesser known books. Actors. Charles Dance, Pam Feffis, Gregor Fisher,James D'arcy, Liz Smith, Dominic West and a few other named actors star in the drama. The Story. When his Father dies Nicholas starts off by going to London, with his Mother and Sister,Kate. They end up in lodgings and soon get into debt.His Uncle Ralph (Mean Man) gets Nicholas a job at a Boys School.This turns out to be a rundown farm house, owned and run by Mr and Mrs Squeers.Wackford(Gregor Fisher) has a one false which looks really ugly.His wife (Pam Ferris)is fat and wears dirty clothes. On the journey to the school, Nick has to sit on the roof of a stage coach for part of the way... Read review

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