Exchange Israel for France and Palestine for Algeria and you have Camus talking about events in 2023. It's almost uncanny how similar these conflicts are in some respects.

Camus, who was born in Algeria but raised in France, has a unique perspective. He is able to see the nuances of the conflict that passions often blur. He is sympathetic to the aspirations of the Palestinians but also extremely critical of violence against Israeli civilians to achieve them. Camus believes that dialogue is the only solution and that the extremes on both sides are the main obstacles to this.

Camus also writes an extremely eloquent and moving essay on the death penalty. He questions why, if its raison d'être is to serve as a deterrent, it is carried out in such secretive conditions. People who commit murder have reached a point where the consequences of their actions are an afterthought. For Camus, the death penalty is the product of a society that has run out of ideas about how to properly rehabilitate people and instead chooses the simplest route possible.

There are other thoughtful essays here as well, but on Palestine and the death penalty, this is Camus at his most insightful. His words still resonate today and offer valuable lessons for our understanding of these complex issues.

It has been quite some time since I delved deeply into philosophy. I was truly delighted that my return to this realm was with Camus. I found great pleasure in every article. Camus' writing style is so smooth and engaging (even though most of these are likely translations from French). Each article directly tackles profound and heavy-hitting topics. It ranges from the fall of Spain to Fascism and how it was largely overlooked. It also explores the role of Christians in opposing oppression. "Create Dangerously" was the perfect article to conclude with as it directly addressed Camus' role as a writer.

Honestly, I would not recommend reading this book all at once. My advice is to take it one article at a time, perhaps even spending a week on each. Just sit with the ideas and let them soak in. Every page is filled with personality and sometimes raw passion. If you rush through it, you are bound to miss some of that powerful energy.

By taking your time, you can fully appreciate the depth and beauty of Camus' philosophical insights. It allows you to engage with the text on a more profound level and truly understand the significance of his ideas. So, slow down, savor each article, and let Camus' words inspire and enlighten you.

Camus was truly an incredibly powerful force of nature.

His writing was characterized by clarity, precision, penetration, and brutal honesty.

His essays, such as "Reflections on the Guillotine" and "Create Dangerously," were among the most precise works I have ever encountered on the subjects that I often think about - the futility of the death penalty and the work of an artist.

These essays not only presented profound insights but also challenged the reader's thinking.

Camus' ability to dissect complex issues with such precision and clarity is truly remarkable.

It makes me eager to explore the rest of his bibliography and discover more of his brilliant works.

I am looking forward to delving deeper into his thoughts and ideas, and being inspired by his unique perspective on life and art.

Camus' influence on literature and philosophy is undeniable, and I am excited to continue my journey of discovery through his works.

This article is truly worth reading, mainly because of "Reflections on the Guillotine."

This piece is perhaps the most persuasive argument against capital punishment that I have ever come across.

The author presents a series of well-reasoned and thought-provoking points that make one seriously question the morality and effectiveness of the death penalty.

From the perspective of human rights to the potential for wrongful convictions, every aspect is carefully examined and analyzed.

"Reflections on the Guillotine" forces the reader to confront the complex and often uncomfortable issues surrounding capital punishment.

It challenges our assumptions and makes us think twice about a practice that has been a subject of intense debate for centuries.

Whether you are in favor of the death penalty or not, this article is sure to make you think and perhaps even change your mind.

It is a powerful and important piece of writing that should be read by anyone interested in the topic of criminal justice.

This is the book you read after watching Army of Shadows. Do you want to prolong that mood? I don't know. However, this is the mood you are in and so this is the book to read.

You can pretty much guess how this book will be by the fact that it's Camus. His writing is truly excellent. The subject matter he explores is complex, often depressing, and undeniably difficult. Camus has always been a challenging author, but he is well worth the effort. The question that arises is whether you are capable of dealing with his profound ideas and unique style at that particular point in time.

Reading Camus requires a certain level of mental and emotional preparedness. His works force you to confront the harsh realities of life and the human condition. But in doing so, they also offer valuable insights and a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

So, if you are in the mood to engage with a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating book, give this one a try. You may find that it takes you on a journey of self-discovery and challenges you to think in new and different ways.

It had to be extremely hard to be both French and Algerian at this particular time. The complex and often tumultuous relationship between France and Algeria during that era brought with it a host of challenges and difficulties for those who identified with both cultures.

This book really is making a sincere effort to explore and understand this unique and often overlooked aspect of history. It delves into the experiences, emotions, and struggles of individuals who found themselves caught between two worlds.

By presenting their stories and perspectives, the author aims to shed light on the rich and diverse tapestry of French-Algerian identity. Through vivid descriptions and detailed accounts, readers are able to gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity of this identity and the impact it had on the lives of those who lived it.

Overall, this book is a valuable contribution to the study of French-Algerian history and a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the intersection of culture, identity, and history.

This is a remarkable collection of articles penned by Camus during the period from 1939 to 1958.

These writings delve deep into the complex and tumultuous situation in French Algeria.

Camus, with his敏锐的洞察力 and profound understanding, presents a vivid picture of the social, political, and cultural aspects of that era.

His words capture the essence of the struggles, the hopes, and the fears of the people living in French Algeria.

Each article is a testament to his literary prowess and his commitment to shedding light on the truth.

This collection serves as an important historical document, offering valuable insights into a significant period in Algerian history.

It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the past and its impact on the present.

Camus' works continue to resonate with readers today, inspiring them to think critically about society and its challenges.

I’m not good at giving stars to books.

In the beginning, when I truly liked a book, I would give it four or five stars. However, to this very day, I still don't know precisely what that means. So, I decided to rely on my instinct when I reach the last page of the book.

But even if I accept my relativism as original, unbiased, and not accidentally condescending, and I have come up with what I think is a perfect “star-giving” mechanism, I would still find myself asking, “How could you rate a philosopher like Camus with stars and grades? Isn't the goal of philosophy to set thinking free from all tyrannical attempts that stop its search for meaning? Where would we be today if it weren't for the thinkers who, every now and then, break away from the crowds just to show that, metaphorically speaking, humanity as an ocean is better than a river.”

Here's another quote from the book, in addition to the one I posted when I started reading it.

“Nothing is given to men, and the little they can conquer is paid for with unjust deaths. But man’s greatness lies elsewhere. It lies in his decision to be stronger than his condition. And if his condition is unjust, he has only one way of overcoming it, which is to be just himself.” This quote really makes me think about the nature of human existence and the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of injustice.

It's truly a bit remarkable just how relevant some of these essays remain, considering their subject matter.

The statement, "If absolute truth belongs to anyone in this world, it certainly does not belong to the man or party that claims to possess it. When historical truth is involved, the more anyone claims to possess it, the more he lies," on page 165, holds great significance.

In a world where people often assert their version of the truth with unwavering certainty, this idea challenges such dogmatism. It reminds us that truth is often complex and multifaceted, and those who claim to have exclusive access to it may be misled or even deliberately distorting it.

These essays serve as a valuable reminder to approach the pursuit of truth with humility and an open mind, and to question those who make absolute claims.

"We have nothing to lose except everything" (p.246). This powerful statement truly seems to encapsulate a profound truth.

It implies a sense of extremity, a situation where one is on the verge of losing all that they hold dear.

It makes us stop and think about the value of the things we have and the potential consequences of taking risks.

In life, we often face choices that involve sacrificing something.

Sometimes, we may be hesitant to take a leap of faith because we are afraid of losing what we already have.

However, this quote reminds us that there are times when we must be willing to let go of everything in order to gain something greater.

It challenges us to be brave and to step out of our comfort zones, even when the odds seem stacked against us.

After all, if we have nothing to lose except everything, then what do we really have to fear?

Albert Camus is truly one of the great consciences of the 20th century. Standing alongside notable figures such as Adam Michnik of Poland, Vaclav Havel of Czechoslovakia, and Aleksander Solzhenitsyn of Russia, Camus made a profound impact. The essays in "Resistance, Rebellion and Death: Essays" date back to the 1940s and 1950s. They cover a wide range of crucial subjects including Nazism, the events in Hungary in 1956, capital punishment, the situation in Algeria, and the moral responsibility of the writer.

As I continue to read more of Camus' works, my admiration for him grows. He was not only a remarkable writer with a unique style and profound insights, but also a philosopher who delved deep into the human condition. Additionally, as a political thinker, his views and ideas were highly relevant and thought-provoking. Sadly, when he passed away in that tragic 1960 car crash, the world lost someone who was badly needed in an era marked by moral ambiguity. His works continue to inspire and challenge readers, serving as a reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right and grappling with the complex issues of our time.

Albert Camus

The four Letters to a German Friend alone would undoubtedly earn this work a 5/5 rating.

Moreover, many of the other essays included were of extremely high quality and had me delving deep into the history of the mid-Cold War era.

However, unfortunately, I frequently found myself struggling to concentrate on the author's reasoning due to his particular style of writing.

This made it difficult for me to fully engage with the content and, as a result, I couldn't in good conscience give this collection a perfect 5.

Despite this drawback, the overall value and interest of the material presented cannot be denied, and it remains a worthwhile read for those interested in the subject matter.