Biographies 2023

Spinoza: Life and Legacy

by Jonathan Israel

Spinoza: Life and Legacy is a new biography of the 17th-century Dutch-Jewish philosopher, Baruch Spinoza, by historian Jonathan Israel. Israel is a leading historian of early modern Europe, and an expert on the Dutch Republic, the tolerant—by 17th-century standards—world in which Spinoza grew up. His parents had fled Portugal because of the Inquisition and, as Israel points out, that "dark Iberian context was a crucial factor in Spinoza's background, early life, and formation and likewise an essential dimension for understanding his thought generally." The book builds on Steven Nadler's biography of Spinoza, and at more than 1, pages is absolutely not for beginners. Rather, it's for those seeking to think deeply—and disagree with Israel at times, no doubt—about Spinoza and his life and thought.

(If you're looking for a more introductory approach to Spinoza, our interview about him is with Steven Nadler)

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The Goodreads Choice Awards have two rounds of voting open to all registered Goodreads members. Winners will be announced December 07,

Opening Round: Nov 14 - 26

In the first round there are 20 books in each of the 15 categories, and members can vote for one book in each category.

Final Round: Nov 28 - Dec 03

The field narrows to the top 10 books in each category, and members have one last chance to vote!

Books published in the United States in English, including works in translation and other significant rereleases, between November 17, , and November 15, , are eligible for the Goodreads Choice Awards. Books published between November 16, , and November 14, , will be eligible for the awards.

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