The Selected Letters of Bertrand Russell, Volume 1 : The Private Years 1884-1914

Those who knew the famous philosopher Bertrand Russell at the turn of the century referred to him as 'the Day of Judgement'. This acclaimed selection of his early letters, available in paperback for the first time, reveals the full scope of Russell's life and innermost thoughts up to the First World War. It includes letters to his first wife, Alys Pearsall Smith, reveals the background to his now famous work in philosophy and the foundations of mathematics and how his mind was stirred by socialism, free trade and votes for women. It also contains letters on his famous affair with Ottoline Morrell, providing yet another insight into one of the great intellectual figures of the twentieth century. Sunday Telegraph ...the letters are as transparent as Russell wished them in his own mind to be. It is strking to discover that, unlike any other genius who has written his own biography, Russell told the truth about himself and invented next to nothing...This volume is the first of several and no doubt its successors will be just as hard to put down. Russell was fortunate in his life: he has been equally fortunate in his posthumous editor. PUBLICITY TITLEThe Private Years sold over 4, 000 as a £25.00 hardback in the UK and RoW. We are simultaneously publishing a paperback edition of the similarly successful volume 2The hardback (published 1992) was widely and favourably reviewed in publications including The Financial Times, The Sunday Telegraph, The Times Literary Supplement, The Spectator and the London Evening StandardOur total sales of Russell books exceed 300,000 copies, including over 10,000 copies of Russell's AutobiographyIncludes letters to Wittgenstein, TS Eliot, Russell's first wife, Alys Pearsall Smith, his lover, Ottoline Morrell and many many moreStrong trade potential - both volumes present a broad, accessible picture of Russell's whole life rather than concentrating on his philosophyEach letter is prefaced and put in context by a short explanation from the editor. Nick Griffin's superb editing was a major reason behind the success of both volume 1 and the volume 2 hardback This second volume of letters, only three of which have been published before, presents a picture of a philosophical genius and impassioned campaigner for peace and social reform. Includes letters to Ho Chi Minh, Tito, Jawahral Nehru and Sartre. This acclaimed selection of Russell's early letters, available in paperback for the first time, reveals the full scope of his life and innermost thoughts up to the First World War. The earliest of Russell's letters to have survived are three to his brother, Frank, written in 1884, the third of which is printed below.