At the Existentialist Café
Freedom, Being and Apricot Cocktails
by Sarah Bakewell · first published 2012
71% recommend29% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Lively narrative history of existentialism that ties the philosophers' ideas to their lives and to WWII. It is relevant, readable, and a good entry point for those new to the figures.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Paris, 1933. Three contemporaries meet over apricot cocktails at the Bec-de-Gaz bar on the rue Montparnasse-- and ignite a movement, creating an entirely new philosophical approach inspired by themes of radical freedom, authentic being, and political activism: Existentialism. Interweaving biography and philosophy, Bakewell provides an investigation into what the existentialists have to offer us today, at a moment when we are once again confronting the major questions of freedom, global responsibility, and human authenticity in a fractious and technology-driven world.
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She was a sharp thinker, keenly introspective and bold. I would have imagined that she would appeal to the HN audience. Beyond the Second Sex, which has significant status in the history of feminism, her autobiographical Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter and A Very Easy Death are beautiful reads that show her insight and self-awareness; I would recommend them. For accessible general reading about t
on “Simone de Beauvoir’s relationship with her readers” ↗At the Existentialist Cafe by Bakewell I think is the best catch-all for phenomenology in many ways despite being part historical rather than full philosophy. Would highly recommend even if one is familiar with the usual suspects…
on “Philosopher Bryan Magee remains wonder-struck by the ultimate questions” ↗At the Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails It's an amazing book on philosophy, history, and much more. It felt very relevant to current times. The philosophers in question lived around and through WWII and it examines how their ideas came about before and after as well. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25658482-at-the-existent...
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2017?” ↗- The Master and His Emissary - Personality (Nettle) - Lonesome Dove - A First-Rate Madness - Slouching Towards Bethlehem - Dune - At the Existentialist Cafe Currently working on "The Hot Zone."
on “Ask HN: What books have you read recently?” ↗Same here :) Just started reading At the Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails with Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus, Martin Heidegger, Maurice Merleau-Ponty and Others by Sarah Bakewell It has a really nice narrative and tells the story of the aforementioned. Kierkegaard also makes some occurrences.
on “Ask HN: What are you learning?” ↗Just a good related book recommendation: At the Existentialist Cafe is a great piece on philosophy and modern history. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25658482-at-the-existent...
on “Albert Camus: A reconstructed conversation” ↗…the Nazi regime. Also, I would recommend reading up on what he did to Husserl. A book that goes into detail about Heidegger's actions during World War II is here [1]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At_the_Existentialist_Cafe
on “Does reading fiction make us better people?” ↗…Thomas Hardy The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert Nature Stories by Jules Renard Mac y su contratiempo by Enrique Vila-Matas Olinger Stories by John Updike Greek Science in Antiquity by Marshall Clagett At The Existentialist Cafe by Sarah Bakewell 100 Diagrams That Changed The World by Scott Christianson Heart of Europe: A History of the Holy Roman Empire by Peter Wilson Alec "The Years Have Pants" by Eddie Campbell Landmarks…
on “Ask HN: What Are You Reading?” ↗Arendt later recalled Heidegger as someone who "fell into his own trap." AFAIK, Heidegger was not an ardent Nazi, who joined the party anyways for practical purposes. As Sarah Bakewell, author of "At the Existentialist Cafe",[1] would characterize him as "lacking personality." He wanted to reform education, but failed to gain enough political influence within the party to do so. Even after WW2, he never issued an official…
on “Heidegger, the homesick philosopher” ↗Karl Jasper's role in developing existentialism is noted well in "At the Existentialist Café" by Sarah Bakewell[0]. He's also known as the mentor of Hannah Arendt, who later wrote "Origins of Totalitarianism", "The Human Condition" (Alan Kay's favorite book[1]) and "Eichmann in Jerusalem" (served as basis of her 2012 biopic[2]) [0] https://www.amazon.com/dp/1590514882 [1] http://www.squeakland.
on “Existentialist” ↗Although not a technical book, 'At the Existentialist Cafe' goes quite deeply into Heidegger's relationship with Arendt and Husserl and his time as a member of the Nazi party. It's quite damning if it's true. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At_the_Existentialist_Cafe
on “Heidegger, the homesick philosopher” ↗