The Swerve
How the World Became Modern
by Stephen Greenblatt
W.W. Norton, 2011
Comments: I don't follow bestseller lists, preferring instead to rely on serendipity to find books that interest me, but occasionally I do take notice of a popular title. The Swerve has received a fair amount attention lately, most likely because of its somewhat provocative exploration of religious meaning. The book is about the early Renaissance rediscovery of a poem written around 100 BCE by the Roman poet Lucretius and the subsequent influence of that text on human knowledge.
The rather lengthy poem was found at a German monastery in 1417 by a humanist Italian scribe name Poggio Bracciolini who was specifically searching for written works from antiquity. Written in Latin and titled On the Nature of Things, the poem describes a scientific view of the world that is remarkably similar to our modern understanding of it, but also one that completely minimizes the role of any deity or religion in its unfolding. This was clearly considered dangerous and heretical in the Catholic-dominated culture where it re-emerged. Nonetheless, the rediscovery was important because it ultimately contributed greatly to the foundations of modern thinking. An impressive list of scientists, philosophers, artists, and statesmen are known to have studied Lucretius. His writing has clearly influenced some of the greatest minds since the Renaissance.
The story of the actual discovery is fascinating, but the real impact of the book -- and where it may unsettle some -- is the author's apparent objective embrace of a godless human existence. One chapter where the author outlines Lucretius' thesis point-by-point is particularly direct and powerful. Although modern society is generally more open to critical thinking about religion, the role of a deity in our lives is still a powerful belief that can arouse strong reactions to ideas as extreme as those of Lucretius. Beyond that, some readers will also be disturbed by the very unflattering light this book shines on the historical abuses of the Catholic church specifically. However, for anyone not afraid to explore their own spiritual beliefs and motivations, this book is a thought-provoking journey.
Copy Notes: Hardback, later printing, color plates
How the World Became Modern
by Stephen Greenblatt
W.W. Norton, 2011
Comments: I don't follow bestseller lists, preferring instead to rely on serendipity to find books that interest me, but occasionally I do take notice of a popular title. The Swerve has received a fair amount attention lately, most likely because of its somewhat provocative exploration of religious meaning. The book is about the early Renaissance rediscovery of a poem written around 100 BCE by the Roman poet Lucretius and the subsequent influence of that text on human knowledge.
The rather lengthy poem was found at a German monastery in 1417 by a humanist Italian scribe name Poggio Bracciolini who was specifically searching for written works from antiquity. Written in Latin and titled On the Nature of Things, the poem describes a scientific view of the world that is remarkably similar to our modern understanding of it, but also one that completely minimizes the role of any deity or religion in its unfolding. This was clearly considered dangerous and heretical in the Catholic-dominated culture where it re-emerged. Nonetheless, the rediscovery was important because it ultimately contributed greatly to the foundations of modern thinking. An impressive list of scientists, philosophers, artists, and statesmen are known to have studied Lucretius. His writing has clearly influenced some of the greatest minds since the Renaissance.
The story of the actual discovery is fascinating, but the real impact of the book -- and where it may unsettle some -- is the author's apparent objective embrace of a godless human existence. One chapter where the author outlines Lucretius' thesis point-by-point is particularly direct and powerful. Although modern society is generally more open to critical thinking about religion, the role of a deity in our lives is still a powerful belief that can arouse strong reactions to ideas as extreme as those of Lucretius. Beyond that, some readers will also be disturbed by the very unflattering light this book shines on the historical abuses of the Catholic church specifically. However, for anyone not afraid to explore their own spiritual beliefs and motivations, this book is a thought-provoking journey.
Copy Notes: Hardback, later printing, color plates
