The Proper Study of Mankind

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The collection showcases Isaiah Berlin's most influential writings, including his renowned essay on Tolstoy, "The Hedgehog and the Fox." It features insightful portraits of notable figures like Pasternak, Akhmatova, Churchill, and Roosevelt, as well as essays exploring themes of liberty and pluralism. Berlin defends the significance of philosophy and history against the dominance of scientific method, while also offering profound analyses of intellectual giants such as Machiavelli, Vico, and Herder, highlighting his exceptional contributions to thought and literature.