The First and the Last

This volume contains two brief works by Isaiah Berlin, an acclaimed philosopher and thinker of the 20th century. "The first" is a short fictional piece he wrote when he was twelve reflecting his belief that the idea of a perfect society cannot justify the cruelties he saw in the Russian Revolution. "The last" is an essay he wrote the year before he died synthesizing his thoughts on topics such as freedom, determinism, and pluralism. Also included are several tributes to Berlin's friendship, conversation, and thought by Noel Annan, Stuart Hampshire, Avishal Margalit, Bernard Williams, and Aileen Kelly. No index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)