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William Blake vs the World
- Narrated by: John Higgs
- Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Art & Literature
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Summary
Poet, artist, visionary and author of the unofficial English national anthem 'Jerusalem', William Blake is an archetypal misunderstood genius. In this radical new biography, we return to a world of riots, revolutions and radicals, discuss movements from the Levellers of the sixteenth century to the psychedelic counterculture of the 1960s, and explore the latest discoveries in neurobiology, quantum physics and comparative religion to look afresh at Blake's life and work—and, crucially, his mind. Taking the listener on wild detours into unfamiliar territory, John Higgs places the bewildering eccentricities of a most singular artist into context and shows us how Blake can help us better understand ourselves.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Critic reviews
"A glittering stream of revelatory light.... Fascinating." (The Times)
"One of the best books on Blake I have ever read." (David Keenan)
"Absolutely wonderful!" (Terry Gilliam)
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What listeners say about William Blake vs the World
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- N. Walsh
- 12-06-21
An Exceptionial Artist - A Wonderful Exposition
Loved this book and the reading. It view and explanation of Blake's life and ideas are set out with wonderful clarity. Thank you Mr. Higgs!
3 people found this helpful
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- Alias Grace
- 10-05-22
Dive headfirst into the Blakean mythos
Started off a bit of a struggle, but when I got used to his style I was fully immersed. Really interesting disection of Blake's worldview.
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- Jeremy Critchlow
- 31-03-22
Always felt an affinity for Blake. Now I know why
This is a wonderful book - a must read for any Blake fan.
Since my days as an Art student, I've always felt a strong affinity for Blake (especially his paintings) - but his writings, rendered in terms of a personal mythology, made them annoyingly incomprehensible, even to his contemporary readers. What is needed is a key to unlock the astonishing originality of Blake's expansive mind. John Higgs provides us with that key.
More than simply explaining the biographical details of William Blake's life (illustrated by numerous eye witness testimonies), John Higgs manages, with great skill, to map the mind of this extraordinary man and shows him to be a great soul - a true colossus of original thought .
The gently lilting narration is a pleasure to listen to: the wide ranging ideas expressed are truly profound.
Blake's championing of the limitless power of the imagination against the stultifying limits of fundamentalist materialism is an important message for today's world. I wish you Bon Appetit with Blake vs the World.
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- Nick Ravenscroft
- 24-01-22
absolutely brilliant, this book changed my life
I have to admit up front I'm a massive John Higgs fan. This is a fascinating insight into Blake and Higgs writes for the modern reader, his references resonate. I came away wanting to sign up to Blake's philosophy to become a 'divine humanist' !
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- Susan Harvey
- 16-10-21
Challenging and insightful
This was a challenging, covering and linking areas as diverse as quantum physics and the difference between fantasy and imagination. I often listen to an audio book while doing the ironing or other jobs that do not require concentration, but I found it too hard even for accompanying the washing up! The ideas are vast and insightful and it takes full attention, but is well worth the effort. Beautifully written, it makes many fascinating connections. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though it took weeks to get through! Thank you John Higgs x