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Herald of a Restless World: How Henri Bergson Brought Philosophy to the People
Henri Bergson, the French philosopher who defined individual creativity and transformed twentieth-century thought.
At the dawn of the twentieth century, Henri Bergson became the most famous philosopher on earth. Where prior thinkers sketched out a predictable universe, he asserted the transformative power of consciousness and creativity. An international celebrity, he made headlines around the world debating luminaries like Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein about free will and time. The vision of creative evolution and freedom he presented was so disruptive that the New York Times branded him "the most dangerous man in the world."
In the first English-language biography of Bergson, Emily Herring traces how his celebration of the time-bending uniqueness of individual experience struck a chord with those shaken by modern technological and social change. Bergson captivated a society in flux like no other. Long after he faded from public view, his insights into memory, time, joy and creativity continue to shape our perceptions to this day. Herald of a Restless World is an electrifying portrait of a singular intellect.
At the dawn of the twentieth century, Henri Bergson became the most famous philosopher on earth. Where prior thinkers sketched out a predictable universe, he asserted the transformative power of consciousness and creativity. An international celebrity, he made headlines around the world debating luminaries like Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein about free will and time. The vision of creative evolution and freedom he presented was so disruptive that the New York Times branded him "the most dangerous man in the world."
In the first English-language biography of Bergson, Emily Herring traces how his celebration of the time-bending uniqueness of individual experience struck a chord with those shaken by modern technological and social change. Bergson captivated a society in flux like no other. Long after he faded from public view, his insights into memory, time, joy and creativity continue to shape our perceptions to this day. Herald of a Restless World is an electrifying portrait of a singular intellect.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 19, 2025
Like an artist who is able to show us what we have not yet been able to perceive, Bergson was able to give form to the confused and all-consuming feelings of a generation.
This was a Christmas present from Joel and I appreciated the opportunity. I likely wouldn’t have pursued it otherwise. It is less a biography of Bergson or an examination of his thoughts than a quick appraisal of his reception historically and how perhaps his liberal opposition to mechanized systems especially in philosophical terms, how all of this makes him timely during these uncertain times. There are very quick glosses on his concepts, duree and elan vital. Not much is made of the relationship between both of these with German Idealism or even Cartesian duality for that matter (sorry for the pun).
I thought a project focusing on the friendship between Bergson and William James would have been infinitely more interesting but alas. The author cites the relationship between Bergson and Proust but doesn’t delineate the consequences nor really is the debate with Einstein. Bergson has become a shallow kit bag of ideas. Deleuze’s approach to him appeared arrogant in that regard. I think a cross examination of Bergson and Darwin could be exciting.
This was a Christmas present from Joel and I appreciated the opportunity. I likely wouldn’t have pursued it otherwise. It is less a biography of Bergson or an examination of his thoughts than a quick appraisal of his reception historically and how perhaps his liberal opposition to mechanized systems especially in philosophical terms, how all of this makes him timely during these uncertain times. There are very quick glosses on his concepts, duree and elan vital. Not much is made of the relationship between both of these with German Idealism or even Cartesian duality for that matter (sorry for the pun).
I thought a project focusing on the friendship between Bergson and William James would have been infinitely more interesting but alas. The author cites the relationship between Bergson and Proust but doesn’t delineate the consequences nor really is the debate with Einstein. Bergson has become a shallow kit bag of ideas. Deleuze’s approach to him appeared arrogant in that regard. I think a cross examination of Bergson and Darwin could be exciting.
November 21, 2024
Herring has produced that rarest of things: a philosophical biography that's a page turner. Bergson, as she points out, has been criminally overlooked in anglophone philosophy since his death. This book, I think, will do much to re-introduce him.
December 31, 2024
Fascinating
May 20, 2024
This is a biography of Henri Bergson, a Nobel-winning French philosopher with a rock star-like status, down to the crowds of swooning women and mingling with other intellectual greats like Proust (they were cousins), Shaw, and James; a famous debate with Einstein, and the enmity of Bernard Russell, who would become as dramatically forgotten in the interbellum years, all without seeming to affect his own demeanor on things much.
Bergson's philosophical role is hard to place. His philosophical projects are wide and varied, and while often called anti-science it was an allegation that he protested throughout his life. He was concerned with perception and its understanding of the world in a way that rankled scientists, even if it looks like more a case of them talking past one another, and he brought up a much more constructive view of the evolutionary process than became fashionable as the century progressed.
Explaining the why of Bergson was my hope and fear of the book. There is no great why to explain what happened to and with him. I have thoughts, but I think that they are speculative. But at the same time I wanted a novel and comprehensive explanation as to what happened with him, or some sort of pitch as to why he was the most significant thinker of the century, I, er, also did not. There is enough clickbait-titled books out there trying to oversell the importance of something or someone to move product through either identity or audacity.
Here, the author points to some of his lines of philosophical and aesthetic influence, and offers a few speculations, but is content to be much more about the biography and providing an introduction into his admittedly big ideas. There is examination of how the book's subtitle plays out in Bergson's life, which I like because it is as much about the way his popularity is understood, and the unfortunately misogynistic or antisemitic turns there. But overall, it is a book that sets out to be an introduction, does so effectively, and wrangles some big ideas into manageable form in the process.
Bergson's philosophical role is hard to place. His philosophical projects are wide and varied, and while often called anti-science it was an allegation that he protested throughout his life. He was concerned with perception and its understanding of the world in a way that rankled scientists, even if it looks like more a case of them talking past one another, and he brought up a much more constructive view of the evolutionary process than became fashionable as the century progressed.
Explaining the why of Bergson was my hope and fear of the book. There is no great why to explain what happened to and with him. I have thoughts, but I think that they are speculative. But at the same time I wanted a novel and comprehensive explanation as to what happened with him, or some sort of pitch as to why he was the most significant thinker of the century, I, er, also did not. There is enough clickbait-titled books out there trying to oversell the importance of something or someone to move product through either identity or audacity.
Here, the author points to some of his lines of philosophical and aesthetic influence, and offers a few speculations, but is content to be much more about the biography and providing an introduction into his admittedly big ideas. There is examination of how the book's subtitle plays out in Bergson's life, which I like because it is as much about the way his popularity is understood, and the unfortunately misogynistic or antisemitic turns there. But overall, it is a book that sets out to be an introduction, does so effectively, and wrangles some big ideas into manageable form in the process.
November 23, 2024
My undergraduate degree was in Philosophy. While I was familiar with Bergson’s name, I don’t recall any of his ideas being taught while I was at university. Yet, the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy says he “…was one of the most famous and influential French philosophers of the late 19th century-early 20th century. It also says that “Many philosophers today think that [his] concept of multiplicity, despite its difficulty, is revolutionary. It is revolutionary because it opens the way to a reconception of community.” (https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/be...)
I am now slightly more than one-half of the way finished with "Herald of a Restless World", so I will continue to add to this review as I progress in my reading. However, I don't want to delay getting some of my very positive impressions here. I don’t expect to change my overall rating.
Dr. Herring’s writing engages one’s interest even when she describe abstruse topics. Her style is clear and flowing. Take for example her summary on pages 13 through 15 of what she calls “Our Obsession with Eternity”. This is a masterfully-written summary of the ideas of those philosophers who thought the proper way to describe the world is to pay attention to those things that don’t change (for example, Plato’s Ideas). This is a model of lucid and economic use of the English language!
I'm excited to finish this book, and hope to do so this coming weekend.
I am now slightly more than one-half of the way finished with "Herald of a Restless World", so I will continue to add to this review as I progress in my reading. However, I don't want to delay getting some of my very positive impressions here. I don’t expect to change my overall rating.
Dr. Herring’s writing engages one’s interest even when she describe abstruse topics. Her style is clear and flowing. Take for example her summary on pages 13 through 15 of what she calls “Our Obsession with Eternity”. This is a masterfully-written summary of the ideas of those philosophers who thought the proper way to describe the world is to pay attention to those things that don’t change (for example, Plato’s Ideas). This is a model of lucid and economic use of the English language!
I'm excited to finish this book, and hope to do so this coming weekend.
January 26, 2025
Never has there been a book that so thoroughly and repeatedly discussed the enormity of a forehead.
It was also very well written and made what would normally be a dull topic for me a nearly James Bond-esque level of intriguing and entertaining. Though I consider that secondary to the forehead commentary.
It was also very well written and made what would normally be a dull topic for me a nearly James Bond-esque level of intriguing and entertaining. Though I consider that secondary to the forehead commentary.
January 4, 2025
This book offers an insightful exploration of Henri Bergson’s life and philosophy, presenting a vivid portrait of a thinker who once captivated the world. The author skillfully weaves Bergson's intellectual contributions with his time's social and cultural context, showing how his ideas resonated in an era of rapid technological and social change.
The book is clear and accessible without oversimplifying. It delves into Bergson’s public debates with figures like Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein. It also makes a strong case for the continued relevance of Bergson’s ideas to modern issues despite his decline in prominence after WWII. This work is valuable for those interested in philosophy, history, or the interplay between intellectual thought and cultural shifts.
However, the author’s repeated attempts to defend Bergson against criticisms of being reactionary, mystical, or unscientific create a bias that detracts from the balance of the narrative, which I found frustrating throughout the book.
The book is clear and accessible without oversimplifying. It delves into Bergson’s public debates with figures like Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein. It also makes a strong case for the continued relevance of Bergson’s ideas to modern issues despite his decline in prominence after WWII. This work is valuable for those interested in philosophy, history, or the interplay between intellectual thought and cultural shifts.
However, the author’s repeated attempts to defend Bergson against criticisms of being reactionary, mystical, or unscientific create a bias that detracts from the balance of the narrative, which I found frustrating throughout the book.
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December 3, 2025My favorite parts of this were those that described the elite French education—that world is fascinating. I know some French philosophers trained at the ENS who know (or have on their CV) what rank they were in the results of the Agrégation.
But the main takeaway from this biography is: DO NOT MESS WITH BERTRAND RUSSELL. He will erase you from the history of philosophy.
But the main takeaway from this biography is: DO NOT MESS WITH BERTRAND RUSSELL. He will erase you from the history of philosophy.
September 27, 2025
It is useful to learn about a philosopher I was not familiar with. This engaging account of Henri Bergson’s life has stimulated a need to learn more about his philosophy.
February 16, 2025
The life and thought of Henri Bergson, a world famous (at the time) French philosopher of the first decades of the 2oth c. This is an excellent explication of Bergson's philosophy and a most engaging look at his life and times. After becoming world renown during his time, he oddly dropped off the end of the philosophy world after his death. Even though, I majored in the subject, I cannot remember his name being mentioned in any of my courses. This is a very good book - sparkling prose and a most interesting subject.
February 13, 2025
Mrs Scum: I'd like the blow on the head.
Michael Miles: The blow on the head.
Mrs Scum: Just there.
Michael Miles: Jolly good. Well your first question for the blow on the head this evening is: What great opponent of Cartesian dualism resists the reduction of psychological phenomena to physical states?
Mrs Scum: I don't know that!
Michael Miles: Well, have a guess.
Mrs Scum: Henri Bergson.
Michael Miles: Is the correct answer!
Mrs Scum: Ooh, that was lucky. I never even heard of him.
Michael Miles: The blow on the head.
Mrs Scum: Just there.
Michael Miles: Jolly good. Well your first question for the blow on the head this evening is: What great opponent of Cartesian dualism resists the reduction of psychological phenomena to physical states?
Mrs Scum: I don't know that!
Michael Miles: Well, have a guess.
Mrs Scum: Henri Bergson.
Michael Miles: Is the correct answer!
Mrs Scum: Ooh, that was lucky. I never even heard of him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2025
A review of Henri Bergson’s life that affectionately positions him in the philosophical and social context of his time. I would have preferred more exposition of his ideas and in this respect the book left me wanting more. But it does an excellent job of explaining the reception of his ideas.
March 13, 2025
This is truly one of the best intellectual biographies I have read, especially since Herring is so attentive to the socio-cultural links of Bergson's development. I cannot recommend this highly enough.
November 10, 2024
I already had some appreciation of the significance of Henri Bergson's philosophy from its take-up by US pragmatists (eg James and later Pirsig readers) as well as by Whitehead and most recently by Iain McGilchrist's extensive use of Bergson references in his (2023) magnum opus "The Matter With Things". Emily Herring I had noticed write an (2017) article on Julian Huxley's use of Bergson, have been since then anticipating the biography she has now produced. It does not disappoint.
Her writing style is a major attraction. Here in one sentence describing Bergson's experience of the run-up to the first world war: "Even for those more attuned to recent developments in international relations, the threat of war had not felt real until the news broke that it was." Neat.
Many spoilers about the the Bergson biographical content have already been shared in the media, and perhaps his role in wartime politics is one of the more surprising. Less surprising than the fact that prejudices against his being a French Jew and his work attracting a massive female following explain why a backlash against his undoubted initial superstar success led unfairly to his fall from favour and visibility thereafter.
"Bergson is back" and deservedly so on the subtle reading of his ideas on integration of the recurring philosophical division between the explicit / objective / classical and the intuitive / implicit / romantic. Biography is an excellent medium to get to grips with human ideas. Herring will deserve our future gratitude, if her efforts are taken up by enough new readers in our troubled and confusing present. Highly recommended as a biography of interesting times.
Her writing style is a major attraction. Here in one sentence describing Bergson's experience of the run-up to the first world war: "Even for those more attuned to recent developments in international relations, the threat of war had not felt real until the news broke that it was." Neat.
Many spoilers about the the Bergson biographical content have already been shared in the media, and perhaps his role in wartime politics is one of the more surprising. Less surprising than the fact that prejudices against his being a French Jew and his work attracting a massive female following explain why a backlash against his undoubted initial superstar success led unfairly to his fall from favour and visibility thereafter.
"Bergson is back" and deservedly so on the subtle reading of his ideas on integration of the recurring philosophical division between the explicit / objective / classical and the intuitive / implicit / romantic. Biography is an excellent medium to get to grips with human ideas. Herring will deserve our future gratitude, if her efforts are taken up by enough new readers in our troubled and confusing present. Highly recommended as a biography of interesting times.
April 3, 2025
Þetta er fín bók en hún er of grunn og of mikil hetjusaga.
Bergson er málaður upp sem snillingur og einskonar dýrlingur síns tíma en Herring snertir aðeins á yfirborði heimspekinnar hans.
Hún snertir á þessu seinna atriði í upphafi bókarinnar og staðfestir að það er ekki markmið bókarinnar, sem er gott og blessað. Þá býst maður þó við að farið sé á dýptina hvað varðar líf hans. Því miður er það ekki þannig.
Mörg áhugaverð sambönd eru lítið skoðuð, t.d. samband Bergson og William James. Sambönd sem eru síðan skoðuð, t.d. Proust og Russel, fjalla svo mikið um hvað sker Bergson frá þessum fígúrum. Það eru litlar tilraunir gerðar til að kryfja eða álykta neitt um þessi sambönd. Það er að mínu mati mikill missir.
Sagan er að mestu leiti af hlédrægum einstaklingi á umrótartímum. Bergson er söguhetja sem verður að mestu leiti fyrir atvikum í stað þess að móta þau að einhverju leiti. Þar liggur helsti vandi bókarinnar.
Bergson er málaður upp sem snillingur og einskonar dýrlingur síns tíma en Herring snertir aðeins á yfirborði heimspekinnar hans.
Hún snertir á þessu seinna atriði í upphafi bókarinnar og staðfestir að það er ekki markmið bókarinnar, sem er gott og blessað. Þá býst maður þó við að farið sé á dýptina hvað varðar líf hans. Því miður er það ekki þannig.
Mörg áhugaverð sambönd eru lítið skoðuð, t.d. samband Bergson og William James. Sambönd sem eru síðan skoðuð, t.d. Proust og Russel, fjalla svo mikið um hvað sker Bergson frá þessum fígúrum. Það eru litlar tilraunir gerðar til að kryfja eða álykta neitt um þessi sambönd. Það er að mínu mati mikill missir.
Sagan er að mestu leiti af hlédrægum einstaklingi á umrótartímum. Bergson er söguhetja sem verður að mestu leiti fyrir atvikum í stað þess að móta þau að einhverju leiti. Þar liggur helsti vandi bókarinnar.
August 23, 2025
"The world Henri Bergson was born into was one in which aspects of reality once believed to be stable and eternal were revealed to be subject to continuous and unstoppable change.”(12) Bergson was born in the year Darwin published Origin of the Species and passed away in the first year of World War II. In between, he caused the first ever traffic jam on Broadway, debated Einstein and played a part in Woodrow Wilson joining World War I by suggesting he could “become the first to realize Plato’s dream of a philosopher king”(222). These and many other events in Bergson’s life, combined with Herring’s engaging writing style make HERALD OF A RESTLESS WORLD a philosophical page-turner.
August 23, 2024
A much needed biography of Henri Bergson, situating his life amidst his philosophy, whilst being both a page-turner and a delight to read. All the while seamlessly cohering the near-endless fluxing threads of philosophical and scientific history that gravitated around Bergson. It's honest and kind, and full of a clear respect/adoration for Bergson that seeks to both question/undo a few historical 'errors' (Einstein, Russell, etc), whilst at the same time deeply embedding his thought into his life.
April 5, 2025
Herring delivers an appropriately thin biography, meaning that we learn very little about Bergson's life story, and yet she conveys very well how much Bergson valued privacy and discretion, and his intention of not leaving anything to posterity other than his finished works.
And here, Herring's book shines. She offers us a good overview of Bergson's thoughts, ideas, and values, but without burderning us with an inflexible interpretation of them.
She convinces us that Bergson is relevant today, and she makes want to read him.
And here, Herring's book shines. She offers us a good overview of Bergson's thoughts, ideas, and values, but without burderning us with an inflexible interpretation of them.
She convinces us that Bergson is relevant today, and she makes want to read him.
May 3, 2025
This is my first encounter with Henri Bergson's life. I am grateful for this biography, it portrays this kind, short, shy, self-conscious, and thoughtful french man who caught wind of philosophy. I am a baby in philosophy, needing consistent guidance and reorienting. However, Bergson's tune sounds familiar. His duree and elan vital re-enchant a moderned world where I feel resistant everyday. Emily Herring writes skillfully, showing her expertise in historical philosophy and I love that.
After reading this, I am eager to read Bergson's books themselves.
After reading this, I am eager to read Bergson's books themselves.
November 10, 2024
Such an engaging read! The book has chapters both about Bergson's life, which also paint a compelling picture of the mood of the early 20th century, and about his ideas, explaining them clearly without requiring the reader to have an extensive background in philosophy.
I found myself both feeling a great deal of sympathy for this weird and gentle man, and fascinated by how his ideas can powerfully change one's perspective. I absolutely recommend it.
I found myself both feeling a great deal of sympathy for this weird and gentle man, and fascinated by how his ideas can powerfully change one's perspective. I absolutely recommend it.
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August 19, 2025Hmmm...
I don't know what to say about this book.
Nearly each chapter started with a fun fact that was supposed to help understand the envrionment Bergson was living in. I will take a fun fact any time and any day, but as chapters were relatively short, the amount of fun facts was substantial.
It was a decent overview of Bergson life and a hint of his thought. Overall, good introductory material.
I don't know what to say about this book.
Nearly each chapter started with a fun fact that was supposed to help understand the envrionment Bergson was living in. I will take a fun fact any time and any day, but as chapters were relatively short, the amount of fun facts was substantial.
It was a decent overview of Bergson life and a hint of his thought. Overall, good introductory material.
March 22, 2025
I've been wanting to read about Bergson for a long while, ever since I learned about the "Battle for time" between him and Einstein. This biography is brilliant; it provides a very readable picture of Bergson as well as some good summaries (no doubt simplified for people like me!) of his key philosophical ideas. It's about time.
April 4, 2025
This is a great primer on Henri Bergson, and I certainly did learn some new (to me) details about his life and personality. I was looking for a deeper dive into his work, however. The author is clear about her intentions with this book, so the fault is not hers. I still enjoyed the book and am glad to have read it.
August 9, 2025
In weerwil van de originele Engelse titel heeft de Nederlandse uitgever expliciet een 'biografie' van dit boek gemaakt. Daarvoor weegt het toch wat te licht. Als inleiding tot leven en denken van Bergson is het daarentegen zeker interessant en lezenswaardig. En een herinnering aan de relativiteit van roem.
September 5, 2024
Herring's beautifully written book brings Bergson’s thought to life in a vivacious and engaging way. This is a wonderful biography of a much overlooked philosopher. Highly recommend!
January 22, 2025
I picked up this book because I thought it would harmonize well with my current project of reading In Search of Lost Time. It's certainly a page-turner, and a much needed book on an underdiscussed piece of intellectual history, not only in relation to Proust, but also recent trends in neuropsychology, such as 4E Cognition and Bayesian Active Inference. However, I do find something unsatisfying about the writing. It's *too much* of a page-turner. With the way the material is presented, I find that I can blow through dozens of pages without having to stop and think more deeply about anything; I find that I am relieved to encounter a long block quote of writing with more density and substance.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews