Autobiographical Reflections

By: Eric Voegelin

Narrated by: Bernard Mayes

This is an ideal introduction to the ideas of a man whom many regard as the greatest thinker of our time. Here we encounter the stages in the development of his unique philosophy of consciousness, his key intellectual breakthroughs, his theory of history, and his diagnosis of the political ills of the modern age. The book provides a veritable catalog of the thinkers who created the intellectual foundation of the twentieth century.

Voegelin's association with and recollection of these men provide fresh insight into their thought as well. Voegelin discusses their contributions to his own development and to the consciousness of the age.

In the course of these reminiscences there emerges a portrait of a man of wit, courage, affability, and principle.

©1989 Louisiana State University Press (P)1992 Blackstone Audiobooks

A stately performance marred by mispronunciations

Voegelin's text itself is unassailable, and Mays' English narration likewise, a thick regal basso that sounds like stout tastes. His German and French pronunciation is jarring, however. Still this is that one out of twenty Audible books I look forward to hearing again.

Short intro to Voegelin's work and thought

This book is a short autobiographical introduction to Voegelin's principal works and ideas. Unfortunately, nothing is said about his childhood. It starts with his academic career. It tells when and how he learned his various languages, where he served his academic appointments and wrote his various major works, who influenced him intellectually, etc. It also includes an interesting discussion of the differences between American and European students (pre-1980s). For many it will be very dry reading; for some, it will be a fascinating, if unfortunately brief, look into the mind of one of the greatest philosophers of the 20th century.

Will make you think, laugh, be astonished

A feast for anyone wanting to be humbled and inspired by a giant of the intellect. He flees Nazism in the nick of time. He compares various parts of Europe with various parts of America, explains the influence of various thinkers, intellectual schools of thought and languages (English, Classical Greek, Chinese, Hebrew...) on his one journey of wonder.

As a man from a poor family, he worked his way up. He has damning things to say about totalitarian movements, both communist and fascist.

He also has penetrating insights into historical periods that he lived through. Particularly, he has de Tocqueville-like insights into America from an informed and thoughtful foreign perspective, though explicitly grateful to have been saved by America from Nazi-occupied zones of Europe. Many humorous anecdotes, like how everyone seemed to have a hard time believing that he had a reason to flee the Nazis if he wasn't a Jew, a communist, or a criminal! Voegelin will make you think.