Interesting. In a review titled Suicide Squad of Alexander Waugh's 2008 "The House of Wittgenstein", Jim Holt wrote:
He and his timorous wife, Leopoldine, brought nine children into the world. Of the five boys, three certainly or probably committed suicide and two were plagued by suicidal impulses throughout their lives. Of the three daughters who survived into adulthood, two got married; both husbands ended up insane and one died by his own hand. Even by the morbid standards of late Hapsburg Vienna these are impressive numbers. But tense and peculiar as the Wittgensteins were, the family also had a strain of genius. Of the two sons who didn’t kill themselves, one, Paul (1887-1961), managed to become an internationally celebrated concert pianist despite the loss of his right arm in World War I. The other, Ludwig (1889-1951), was the greatest philosopher of the 20th century.
By the way, does it mention anything about the photo for the cover of Burger's book?
The credit is an unknown photograph by an unknown photographer, which was taken sometime in the late 1800s. It's an unusual book cover for Wakefield Press. And interesting commentary on the always fascinating Wittgenstein family. I'm a fan of Ludwig but as a writer. I don't fully grasp all of Wittgenstein, but I think of him often when I'm writing. In trying to articulate through words, there is an odd separation between what you are thinking and how you convey that on a page. Paul, I know about it through Maurice Ravel. Thanks for your thoughts here!
I’m reading Beckett as is my want and the paradox of living and dying seems to be his continual question. Very much like a Zen koan. We live constantly between This and That which fascinates me. Burger’s book focuses the problem but certainly doesn’t solve it. Thanks for this.
Interesting. In a review titled Suicide Squad of Alexander Waugh's 2008 "The House of Wittgenstein", Jim Holt wrote:
He and his timorous wife, Leopoldine, brought nine children into the world. Of the five boys, three certainly or probably committed suicide and two were plagued by suicidal impulses throughout their lives. Of the three daughters who survived into adulthood, two got married; both husbands ended up insane and one died by his own hand. Even by the morbid standards of late Hapsburg Vienna these are impressive numbers. But tense and peculiar as the Wittgensteins were, the family also had a strain of genius. Of the two sons who didn’t kill themselves, one, Paul (1887-1961), managed to become an internationally celebrated concert pianist despite the loss of his right arm in World War I. The other, Ludwig (1889-1951), was the greatest philosopher of the 20th century.
By the way, does it mention anything about the photo for the cover of Burger's book?
The credit is an unknown photograph by an unknown photographer, which was taken sometime in the late 1800s. It's an unusual book cover for Wakefield Press. And interesting commentary on the always fascinating Wittgenstein family. I'm a fan of Ludwig but as a writer. I don't fully grasp all of Wittgenstein, but I think of him often when I'm writing. In trying to articulate through words, there is an odd separation between what you are thinking and how you convey that on a page. Paul, I know about it through Maurice Ravel. Thanks for your thoughts here!
Thanks Tosh,
I’m reading Beckett as is my want and the paradox of living and dying seems to be his continual question. Very much like a Zen koan. We live constantly between This and That which fascinates me. Burger’s book focuses the problem but certainly doesn’t solve it. Thanks for this.
Wakefield Press always publishes interesting books. I believe people attempt suicide because the inner pain is so great they just want it to stop.