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The Spinoza Problem
- A Novel
- Narrated by: Traber Burns
- Length: 14 hrs and 1 min
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The Spinoza Problem
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Summary
When 16-year-old Alfred Rosenberg is called into his headmaster's office for anti-Semitic remarks he made during a school speech, he is forced, as punishment, to memorize passages about Spinoza from the autobiography of the German poet Goethe. Rosenberg is stunned to discover that Goethe, his idol, was a great admirer of the Jewish 17th-century philosopher Baruch Spinoza. Long after graduation, Rosenberg remains haunted by this "Spinoza problem": How could the German genius Goethe have been inspired by a member of a race Rosenberg considers so inferior to his own, a race he was determined to destroy?
Spinoza himself was no stranger to punishment during his lifetime. Because of his unorthodox religious views, he was excommunicated from the Amsterdam Jewish community in 1656, at the age of 24, and banished from the only world he had ever known. Though his life was short and he lived without means in great isolation, he nonetheless produced works that changed the course of history.
Over the years, Rosenberg rose through the ranks to become an outspoken Nazi ideologue, a faithful servant of Hitler, and the main author of racial policy for the Third Reich. Still, his Spinoza obsession lingered. By imagining the unexpected intersection of Spinoza's life with Rosenberg's, internationally best-selling novelist Irvin D. Yalom explores the mindsets of two men separated by 300 years. Using his skills as a psychiatrist, he explores the inner lives of Spinoza, the saintly secular philosopher, and of Rosenberg, the godless mass murderer.
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What listeners say about The Spinoza Problem
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jammin042
- 07-07-22
Excellent.
Great book and was gripping and informative. The only downside was the overdone psychology that was gritted in for no reason.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Nibor
- 28-01-23
Thought that it would be dry, but actually good.
As this was free with the audible membership, I wondered if it would be any good, but turned out to be well written and thought provoking.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- M. Foster
- 05-12-20
As superb blend of Philosophy, Psychoanalysis and putative histories.
As in the title, a superb blend plus Yalom is a writer who engages the reader through his style. He’s not overly didactic or pedantic. Attracted me to read more about Spinoza and to give actual hard copies to friends. Narration was good and kept my attention but as with all longer books, I feel I need the text to supplement the narrative and re-address certain sections.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- M. Wilkinson
- 04-08-22
Fascinating book
Loved this book.
Great way to learn about Spinoza and the context in which he lived.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Adelina
- 03-01-24
What a wonderful book
This book its so dear to me, an extraordinary book,that transports you back in time, give you a glimpse of the life of Spinoza,or what could have been. it's a very well written novel that combines history with fiction. I ve enjoyed so much listening to this book,and the reader was by far one of the best I have ever heard,highly recommended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- damo.emt1
- 08-12-22
"It could have happened'
Although, a fictionalised account of the lives of both protagonists, it was written in such a way that I believed every word. An incredibly engaging and enthralling book. brilliant.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Carolina
- 08-01-23
Compelling historical novel
As usual, Dr. Irving Yalom raises the veil of how personal histories connect with wider societal movements. I loved it even if the narrator was at times bland.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- S
- 09-01-24
I loved it
I feel I learned so much, especially about Spinoza. It was so good to have some of ones ideas and random thoughts put together and make sense. I also learned more than I had previously known about pre second world war Germany. I am left with many thoughts about the characters and personalities of humans and the role of religions in society. a great book, informative and thought provoking.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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- Corsaire
- 06-02-19
More textbook than novel
A deep and rich book, especially if you're interested in philosophy or psychoanalysis - but do approach it as part-textbook, rather than a well rounded novel.
The author is a psychiatrist and boy, does it show. Every single conversation is stilted and unrealistic. The two main characters are built up not through action, but by long verbatim accounts of therapy sessions - either literal, or under a very thin veneer of conversation about philosophy. There are long passages of material which is irrelevant (histories of Portuguese Judaism or early psychoanalysis) whilst important characterisation is left undone - 'Oh yes, I married again' says one central character in the only hint we ever get of his home life.
That said, the book has a quiet intensity which held my attention to the end, and I learned a great deal about Spinoza.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- AE
- 08-03-24
Beautifully written
Beautifully written and read as usual. This was my last Yalom book to read and I ran out of his books now and I am worried how I’ll get my daily dose of Yalom. 
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