Thus, he became William James (The Genius Writer Series)

Author: Howard Marvin Friedman [USA]
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: This book delicately describes the tumultuous early life of William James (1842-1910), a renowned philosopher and psychologist, vividly portraying the days he spent in that strange and terrifying family. As a genius in the arts, William James aspired to become a painter at the age of 18. Six months later, however, he abandoned his artistic ambitions and resolutely turned to scientific research, a profession his father had previously chosen for him. This life-altering decision coincided with a serious illness he later contracted, leaving William James devastated for nearly a decade. Howard Friedman extensively depicts the life of the James family, capturing William's emotional life and spiritual development with nuance, describing the talents and suffering of his extraordinary siblings Henry and Alice, revealing the harsh experiences of his two younger brothers Wilkie and Robertson, and exposing the family's abuse of illness. Whether through letters and diaries, William's sketches, or the published works of the elder Henry James and his son William, Henry, all suggest the extreme complexity of this family. An extraordinary young man grows into adulthood, and Thus He Became William James is a masterful study of this arduous journey, both moving and poignant. Anyone interested in William, his family, the intellectual history of the 19th century, and the forces and environments that shape life will be captivated by this book.