Author:Rohan Candappa
Going to college or university can be a daunting experience. There are so many new experiences to try, so many new responsibilities to handle. What you really need is a best friend who'll show you the ropes, hold your hand and make sure you get to your lectures on time...This book, unfortunately, isn't that friend.
This book, even more unfortunately, is more akin to the kind of mate who doesn't get up till half past two, nicks your food from the fridge and when you're both well wasted at some awful party you've gate crashed convinces you that Malibu, cider and Worcestershire sauce is a real cocktail. Frankly, if you have even the slightest ambition to emerge from your time in 'higher' education with any kind of qualification whatsoever, it's best that you stop reading now.
If however, you insist on perusing the wisdom contained within this thoroughly disreputable tome, then please note that the author accepts no responsibility for the fact that you'll get a crap qualification, your parents will disown you and your subsequent career will go nowhere. But all that lies way off in the future. So let's talk about Freshers Week...'
If it were possible to add to a reputation already so considerable, these essays would do it. All the productions of Berlin's long and distinguished career are characterised by urbanity, insight, profound scholarship and witty elegance. These traits are satisfyingly and instructively here present again
—— A.C. Grayling , Financial TimesAs with all Berlin's essays in the history of ideas, they exude a generous, sympathetic and large-minded enthusiasm for all sorts of thinkers and all sorts of ideas that make them a continuous pleasure to read
—— Alan Ryan , Times Literary SupplementEngrossingly readable
—— John Gray , The TimesA superb example of philosophy for the interested layman
—— Shusha Guppy , IndependentThis volume is replete with wisdom and insight
—— Matthew D’Ancona , Sunday TelegraphEnormously stimulating...The spell of Berlin is very much present
—— John Dunn , T.H.E.SBerlin's style conveys an unrivalled depth of learning in prose of engaging informality. A humane light shines through every sentence
—— David Miller , Independent on Sunday