23 February 2002 - Bertrand Russell

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You can’t trust what people say about themselves. Mercutio said he was a grave man, but we all know he was a cut-up. So let’s check what the experts say about Bertrand Russell’s autobiography.

A serious effort for serious readers, safe forever from the best-seller lists.
— No-Yuk Tomes Book Review

Not since the premier primitive poet put pigment to parchment has a writer been less attuned to historic context than—hey, another question. Are you sure he’s dead?
— name withheld by request

He’s the best. Everyone knows that.
— his publisher

clue:

This is a joke about book reviews, not about Bertrand Russell, whose 1969 autobiography is in fact exceptional.

give me a clue so sweet and true

the Daily Whale || copyright 2002, 2024 Jay J.P. Scott <jay@satirist.org>