Isaiah Berlin: Liberty and Pluralism

"Berlin is well served in this excellent book by his commentator, George Crowder. Crowder does a marvelous job of identifying the principle themes in Berlin's work, explaining Berlin's motivations, correcting prevalent misunderstandings, and responding on his subject's behalf to important criticisms. Even where Crowder identifies indictable silences on Berlin's part -- his saying little or nothing, for instance, about social justice and cultural pluralism -- he suggests what Berlin could, and should, have said about matters...In respect of Berlin's writings, we can now be much clearer about what is at stake, where we are in need of further good arguments, and what lines of thinking we might profitably pursue. Berlins' vision is clearer to us both in its strengths and in its weaknesses." Perspectives on Politics, American Political Science Review -- December, 2005

(reviewed by David Archard, Lancaster University)

"Crowder deftly expounds the links between liberty and pluralism in Berlin?s work, which he subjects to a sympathetic yet penetrating critique. In so doing, he offers an important interpretation of Berlin, and makes a substantive contribution of his own to our understanding of this topic." Professor Richard Bellamy, Academic Director ECPR, Department of Government, University of Essex

"This is an impressive book, which dominates the existing critical studies of Berlin." Dr. David Miller, Nuffield College, University of Oxford

"Isaiah Berlin: Liberty and Pluralism is the most balanced, comprehensive, and insightful examination of Berlin?s thought yet written. Everyone interested in the history and future of liberal thought can profit from Crowder?s painstaking study." William A. Galoston, Saul I. Stern, Professor of Civic Engagement and Director, Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy, University of Maryland