Customer Reviews
A life well lived. - By: Mr. S. I. Burton, 10 Jan 2008 
I'd typically use a biography as a sleep aid but this Christmas present is an intellectual, philosophical & emotional caffeine-fuelled "get up & go".
It's one thing to realise that Mill encapsulates many of the ideas that represent the modern political battleground, quite another to discover that he is an inspiration & guide for a modern "life well lived". That's not to say that Reeves' compelling portrait presents an adoring fan's view of Mill. Indeed one of the elements which makes Reeves' account so engaging is that he sees Mill warts & all & is quick to acknowledge the occasional gaps between thought & action. The life story & the political thinking are thus seenin tandem. This is not a dry analysis.
Mill represents one of Britain's few genuine claims to a philosopher & intellectual of world import & Reeves reinforces & does justice to that status. This is a work which genuinely sheds light on what it means to be liberal.
Not simply for those who are already politically engaged, this is essential reading for anyone who believes society does exist & they are part of it.
Outstanding introduction to Mill and his era - By: A. P. Harrington, 28 Dec 2007 To those of us who are not historians but are nonetheless interestedin the subject, this is an outstanding & highly readable biography of a truly great philosopher, politician & economist. Importantly, it also provides an excellent account of the erain which he lived & those whose philosophy or politics he disagreed with. Mill is, like everyone, a flawed individual & some of his writings make little sense looking at them from a 21 century perspective. However, the bulk of his work is highly relevant today & Reeves biography provides a powerful insight into Mills thinking & his background. THis is a must read book for anyone who wants to understand the philosophical underpinnings for the liberal societyin which we live or aspire to.
