Author(s): Isaiah Berlin

Culture & Ideas

"IB was one of the great affirmers of our time." (John Banville). In this final volume, Isaiah Berlin enters a profoundly interesting last phase in his life. He is as prolific a correspondent as ever, but the publication of new essay collections produces a striking change in tone, as readers seek clarification of his ideas. Many of these letters throw substantive new light on his thought, and deal with issues of overriding importance to today's world. Berlin dwells on pluralism of values and cultures, political liberalism, the defence of democracy and the challenge posed by fundamentalism. But there is also a generous leavening of gossip to close friends, reflections on music, the arts and artists, as well as a Shakespearean fascination with the variety of humankind. Affirming is the crowning achievement both of Berlin's epistolary life and of the acclaimed edition of his letters that began publication eleven years ago.