A brilliant account of the life of one of the most influential thinkers of
the twentieth century. Popper also explains some of the central ideas in his
work, making this ideal reading for anyone coming to his life and work for the
first time.At the age of eight, Karl Popper was puzzling over the idea of infinity and
by fifteen beginning to take a keen interest in his father's well-stocked
library of books. Unended Quest recounts these moments and many others in the
life of one of the most influential thinkers of the twentieth century. Popper
witnessed two World Wars and the collapse of Communism in the Eastern bloc, and
provides here an indispensable account of the ideas that influenced him most,
in particular his early fascination with science and philosophy. He talks about
aspects of his life rarely discussed elsewhere, such as his love of music, the
mixed feelings about his Jewish background, and his debate with Wittgenstein
and the now legendary 'poker' incident. Popper also corresponded with a range
of intellectual figures, including Heisenberg, Schrodinger, Einstein and
Russell. Yet it is as an introduction to Popper's philosophy that Unended Quest
shines. Popper lucidly explains some of the central ideas in his work, making
this book ideal reading for anyone coming to Popper's life and work for the
first time.
