This translation is truly remarkable - it gives the impression that Camus sounds like James Baldwin or some other literary giant.

I suppose that's a fair comparison. After all, both of them were writing with a sense of urgency, as if their lives depended on it.

However, I must admit that the essays in this collection are rather old-fashioned and overly male-centered. In fact, I'm quite certain that this is by default.

Moreover, I'm not at all convinced that Camus' stance on Algeria is a rational one. There are many aspects of his argument that I find questionable and in need of further examination.

Overall, while the translation is excellent, the content of the essays leaves something to be desired. I would have liked to see a more diverse and inclusive perspective, as well as a more nuanced discussion of the complex issues surrounding Algeria.

This is a diverse collection of essays covering various topics.

The initial part of the book consists of Camus's letters to a German friend who had turned into his enemy. These letters strongly bring to mind the Duterte fanaticism that I was briefly involved in a few years ago. It lacked reflection and intelligence. The anti-intellectual and populist stance of Duterte led to the return to power of the dictator's offspring, Marcos Jr. Demagoguery and disinformation were rampant during the 2022 campaign season, propelling the latter to power.

Camus wrote, "I have never believed the power of truth in itself. But it is at least worth knowing that when expressed forcefully, truth prevails over falsehood."

Through his essays, Camus demonstrates consistency with his values. He always fought for the liberty he cherished, being part of the French resistance during World War II. He emphasizes the significance of intelligence and the fight against anti-intellectualism, stating, "I should like them not to give in when they are told that intelligence is unwelcome or that it is permissible to lie in order to succeed."

He would also be a prophet when railing against practices that could foster totalitarian states. His quote about a free press should have been a condemnation of dictators: "whoever does violence to truth or its expression eventually mutilates justice, even though he is serving it." This was the case with Marcos's so-called "smiling Martial Law," which still resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people.

Furthermore, Camus noted, "The only society capable of evolution and liberalization, the only one that deserves both our critical and our active support is the society that involves a plurality of parties. It allows one to denounce, and thus correct, injustice and crime."

The current issues surrounding the President and Vice-President are raised and focused on precisely because of the existence of multiple parties. There is indeed self-interest, but truths are also exposed.

Regarding the dissection of VP Duterte's budget, Camus pointed out, "Above all, we cannot grant expediency any precedence over regard for truth, for such systematic relativism leads to the death of intelligence and the oppression of the worker... We have a right to think that truth with a capital letter is relative. But facts are facts. And whoever says that the sky is blue when it is gray is prostituting words and preparing the way for tyranny."

Camus also urges the educated and intellectual to take sides: "The intellectual's role will be to say that the king is naked when he is, and not to go into raptures over his imaginary trappings." He holds the same view for the writer: "The writer must be fully aware of the dramas of his time and that he must take sides every time he can or knows how to do so. But he must maintain or resume from time to time a certain distance in relation to our history."

Other essays in this collection, through intelligent arguments, show Camus's position against the death penalty and his stance on Algeria's liberation, which are somewhat outdated.

Ultimately, he asserts twice that none of the evils totalitarianism claims to remedy is worse than totalitarianism itself. Among our tasks, then, is to remind ourselves that liberty should be our priority, even when others try to deceive us into thinking it is no longer necessary.

...

But I simply desired to convey that agony which I experience each and every day when confronted with the dwindling of liberal energies, the prostitution of words, the slandered victims, the self-satisfied justification of oppression, and the insane admiration of force. We witness a proliferation of those minds about whom it has been stated that they seemingly consider an inclination towards slavery as an element of virtue. We observe intelligence seeking justifications for its fear and easily finding them, for every cowardice has its own philosophy. Indignation is quantified, silences consult one another, and history has ceased to be anything more than Noah's cloak that is spread over the victims' obscenity. In brief, all flee from real responsibility, the effort of being consistent or having an independent opinion, in order to take shelter in the parties or groups that will think for them, express their anger on their behalf, and formulate their plans for them. Contemporary intelligence appears to measure the truth of doctrines and causes solely by the number of armored divisions on the battlefield. Henceforth, everything that justifies the massacre of freedom is deemed good, whether it be the nation, the people, or the grandeur of the State. The welfare of the people in particular has always been the excuse of tyrants, and it offers the additional benefit of giving the servants of tyranny a clear conscience...

Favorite Quote: The world I inhabit is repulsive to me, yet I feel a sense of unity with the men who endure suffering within it.

Recommended to those looking to learn about Camus's political stance (that put him apart from Sartre). Camus's works offer valuable insights into his unique perspective on politics.

This is not particularly easy or enjoyable to read, but I think Camus is more explicit than normal about his position in these many separate essays. His writings require careful thought and analysis, yet they reward the reader with a deeper understanding of his ideas.

A crude summary might be: 'no one should die for an ideology, the loss of liberty imposed by any totalitarian government makes it have a net negative result, and nihilism is not the way forward for post-WWII societies'. Camus's beliefs were firmly rooted in his opposition to totalitarianism and his commitment to individual freedom.

Camus is a charming militant pacifist, but I honestly don't know enough about the political situations to know whether he was being reasonable here, but at least in theory it seems so. His views may have been controversial at the time, but they continue to be relevant today as we grapple with the challenges of a complex and ever-changing world.

This Camus is extremely distinct from the one I have thus far encountered.

This book encompasses articles on pacifism, law, and politics (and naturally the subjects stated in the title), dealing with the entirety of humanity. In this regard, it is not 'personal' like his philosophical works such as The Myth of Sisyphus or novels like The Stranger.

I was never persuaded by the logic (or lack thereof) he presented in The Myth of Sisyphus. Rolling the stone repeatedly for some nebulous sense of duty or honor... in the personal realm, it doesn't hold much significance. This perception, in my opinion, is an ineffective antidote to nihilism. It only makes sense when applied in a social context. Where our impulse to construct and safeguard a just society will render the world bearable for many. This, along with love for humanity and all that is beautiful, is a superior antidote to nihilism.

In his words:

You never believed in the meaning of this world, and you therefore deduced the idea that everything was equivalent and that good and evil could be defined according to one’s wishes. You supposed that in the absence of any human or divine code the only values were those of the animal world—in other words, violence and cunning. Hence you concluded that man was negligible and that his soul could be killed, that in the maddest of histories the only pursuit for the individual was the adventure of power and his only morality, the realism of conquests. And, to tell the truth, I, believing I thought as you did, saw no valid argument to answer you except a fierce love of justice which, after all, seemed to me as unreasonable as the most sudden passion.

Where lay the difference? Simply that you readily accepted despair and I never yielded to it. Simply that you saw the injustice of our condition to the point of being willing to add to it, whereas it seemed to me that man must exalt justice in order to fight against eternal injustice, create happiness in order to protest against the universe of unhappiness. Because you turned your despair into intoxication, because you freed yourself from it by making a principle of it, you were willing to destroy man’s works and to fight him in order to add to his basic misery. Meanwhile, refusing to accept that despair and that tortured world, I merely wanted men to rediscover their solidarity in order to wage war against their revolting fate.

One of the crucial points of this book is that nothing is more significant than liberty. Liberty should be whole, uncompromisable, and untradable with anything, not even bread. If you trade liberty for something, one day even that thing can be taken away from you, you who have no liberty and thus no right to speak. If the authority suppresses the press, if they attempt to take away your liberty and offer you other commodities, well... distrust them, reject them.

Camus also made a compelling argument against the death penalty and the mechanism intellectually nurtured by totalitarian governments.

It is indeed a very good read!

Albert Camus was a renowned philosopher and writer, and his collection of essays on various topics is truly remarkable.

In this collection, Camus delves deep into the French Resistance, providing insights into the courage and determination of those who fought against the Nazi occupation. He also explores the Algerian War, examining the complex issues and human tragedies involved.

The Soviet intervention in Hungary is another subject that Camus tackles with great passion. He analyzes the political and social implications of this event, highlighting the importance of standing up for freedom and justice.

Violence and vengeance are recurring themes in Camus' essays. He reflects on the nature of these phenomena and their impact on individuals and society. Additionally, he explores the role of art in times of turmoil, arguing that it can provide a source of hope and inspiration.

The writing in this collection is extremely powerful, heartfelt, and passionate. Camus' words have the ability to move and inspire readers, even decades after they were first written. However, it must be noted that the essays can be a little hard to follow at times, especially if you aren't accustomed to reading mid-century philosophy.

Despite this, this collection is definitely worth checking out. It offers a unique perspective on some of the most important events and issues of the 20th century, and Camus' insights are as relevant today as they were when he first wrote them.

Albert Camus is an exceptionally talented writer and a remarkable humanist. His works have had a profound impact on the literary world and our understanding of humanity. I have a deep affection for his book, especially certain essays such as "Letters to a German Friend", "Algeria", and "Reflections on the Guillotine".

Some of the quotes from these essays have truly touched my heart. For instance, "Today freedom has not many allies. I have been known to say that the real passion of the twentieth century was slavery." This statement reflects the complex and challenging times in which we live.

Another powerful quote is "Men like you and me who in the morning patted children on the head would a few hours later become meticulous executioners." It shows the duality of human nature and the potential for evil within us all.

Camus also said, "Perhaps we cannot prevent this world from being a world in which children are tortured. But we can reduce the number of tortured." This emphasizes our responsibility to make a difference and strive for a better world.

His words, "And forceful intellectuals announced to the worker that bread alone interested him rather than freedom, as if the worker didn’t know that his bread depends in part on his freedom," highlight the importance of freedom and the need to respect the rights and aspirations of all people.

"A free press can of course be good or bad, but, most certainly, without freedom it will never be anything but bad." This quote underlines the significance of a free and independent media in a democratic society.

Camus's insights, such as "To justify himself, each relies on the other’s crime" and "When historical truth is involved, the more anyone claims to possess it the more he lies," make us question the nature of truth and the motives behind our actions.

Finally, his advice to intellectuals, "It is better for the intellectual not to talk all the time. To begin with, it would exhaust him, and, above all, it would keep him from thinking. He must create if he can, first and foremost, especially if his creation does not sidestep the problems of his time," reminds us of the importance of thoughtful reflection and creative expression.

"No great work has ever been based on hatred or contempt." This simple yet profound statement serves as a reminder that true art and literature are born out of love, compassion, and a deep understanding of the human condition.

Camus selected twenty-three essays to form this collection just one year prior to his death.

Camus was an extremely powerful writer, possessing a rousing and crowd-pleasing style, as exemplified by the statement "The doves of peace do not perch on gallows", which was well-suited for editorials. It is likely that this style was refined during his time as a writer in the French Resistance.

"The society of money and exploitation has never been held accountable, as far as I am aware, for ensuring the victory of freedom and justice. Police states have never been suspected of establishing law schools in the cellars where they interrogate their subjects. Therefore, when they oppress and exploit, they are simply fulfilling their role, and anyone who blindly entrusts them with the safeguarding of freedom has no right to be astonished when they are immediately disgraced."

"The artist perpetually exists in such a state of ambiguity, unable to deny the real yet forever obligated to question it in its perpetually unfinished aspects."

The piece opposing capital punishment, "Reflections on the Guillotine", is particularly forceful. My personal stance in support of the death penalty wavers when I read Camus' arguments.

I believe one of the descriptions of this book by the publisher states that this collection of writings is a masterful demonstration of Camus' "moral intelligence", and I simply couldn't agree more.

The political writings of Camus span from his time in the French Resistance to the Algerian War (which was a personal struggle for him) and finally to the crushed revolt in Hungary and other discourses on the evils of totalitarianism. Throughout these works, one gains an understanding of the idea of justice and liberty that is at the forefront of Camus' political beliefs. It's not always flattering to Western Civilization, but it provides the framework for an understanding of the drive to truth, justice, and liberty that once motivated our political systems.

I think anyone who aspires to enter the political arena or simply to understand what politics should be about should definitely read this collection. It's particularly relevant given the delicate (and perhaps broken) balance between security and freedom in our time. The passages on Hungary seem especially relevant in light of recent events in Ukraine and elsewhere in the former Soviet Union. Perhaps if our public servants had taken a moment to reflect on Camus' take on the popular political "buzzwords" they like to use in their speeches while steadfastly refusing to act upon their concepts, there wouldn't have been as much death and destruction in this world.

We need to look back at the wisdom of thinkers like Camus to guide us in making better political decisions and creating a more just and free world.

I find this book a bit puzzling.

But mind you, I'm writing this after having the most salty french fry I've ever had in my life. Hanoi, you will be remembered for other things. Also, I wanted to join a meeting, but the wifi doesn't work well in this airport, and the British lady I was speaking to yesterday took off with my earphones. I don't know if it's right to mention it to the team because it genuinely sounds like an excuse. But it's true. And I guess that's what matters to me. I did tell them I couldn't make it for... reasons. I expect them to trust me, but why would they? There is no trust built yet. And that's Viet Nam's credit system for you. My POV. These are not facts. Anyway, the sentiment is'salt.'

Struggle, sacrifice, and an emotion-fueled sense of justice have their fair and justified place during times of war (or so I believe, as I'm only technically in a war zone). Logically thinking through what is wrong and right, while true, is something afforded to people who are not in the heat of the moment (or so I believe, as I'm only technically in a war zone). In that sense, this book has a pure rage and child-like righteousness that was rightly expressed during a time of confusion and anger but perhaps was not very sensible. When you're conversing with nonsensical yet somehow internally logical (circle jerk) doctrines - rage, tears, emotions, blood, etc. are stronger images that encourage a fight from the hopeless who have lost the debate. They lost the debate not because of lacking logic or truth but because the other side was louder and bloodier.

It's hard fighting things that think they're so correct. But how do you know if you're wrong? (oh no) A sense of moral guidance doesn't seem trustworthy when you see it lost, even on the other side.

Small trap: Camus poses as the face of France and writes a letter to his former friend and the face of Nazi Germany. He says... HEY THIS IS WRONG about killing without good reason. Destroying the sacred European brotherhood. And other things. And most people will agree with his writing, but I'm also sitting in an airport in Viet Nam. Had Camus ever mentioned Viet Nam in his writings? If France was so beautiful and different, how would he justify his rage without condemning his nation as well?

It's about 100 years past all of this soon. So I'm not sure why I'm confused. But hey, oh well.

I'm not sure if the ideas are wholly relevant to today's world when discussing what is right or wrong. But you get the sentiment. The anger. And Camus had a plasma crystal pen. Still. What is right or wrong cannot be based on feelings and tingles for the very same reason Nazi Germany could not be justified by wholeheartedly thinking that if the Jewish people died, their economy would somehow become sexy again (simplified).

I'm not sure where my moral standards really emerge from. I'm just like Camus, inconsistent, a bit self-righteous. But a bad writer. In a fun way, though. Haha. Also, I was born in the internet generation. Ok, sure, I'm nothing like the guy. I look up to him. He probably knew all of the inconsistencies and still chose to write this (or I'm glorifying the guy, I don't know).

I feel that very little attention has been paid to the political personality of Khomeini in Iran.

This book really provides a good perspective on someone who was Khomeini.

Compared to the fictional literature about Khomeini, it presents a more pure and sincere picture of what Khomeini was like.

Khomeini was a significant figure in Iranian history, and understanding his true nature and impact is of great importance.

This book helps to fill that gap by offering a more in-depth and accurate portrayal.

It allows readers to gain a better understanding of the complex political and social context in which Khomeini operated.

Overall, it is a valuable contribution to the study of Iranian politics and history.

Paris! Paris outraged! Paris shattered! Paris martyred! But Paris liberated.

Let the man in me come into being, for the sake of my Algerian Homeland.

Justice, the main focus of Camus's collection of speeches and epistles here, examined from the war-torn reconstruction of Paris, is a profound search for the restitution of our hearts torn by an evil that remains undefined and often misunderstood. In one of his "letters to a German friend", Camus quotes theologian St. Augustine's humbling conclusion: "I tried to find the source of evil and got nowhere" (p.55). Although Camus criticizes in multiple examples the gun-blessing priests, the abetting Catholics in the German holocaust, and the general apathy of religiously led people towards suffering, he discovers in St. Augustine a similar sense of hopelessness in sourcing the evil of our time. Camus's essays on human suffering are firmly rooted in real friends who were killed in the war. Like his books 'The Stranger' and 'The Plague', they place a focus not on understanding the evil of our nature but on growing brave in facing our shared dilemma of a meaningless world.

Camus boldly ties the meaninglessness of the world not to a despairing or nihilist worldview. Instead, he links it to a meaning he still finds in the faith of the individual. "I, on the contrary, chose justice in order to remain faithful to the world. I continue to believe that this world has no ultimate meaning. But I know that something in it has a meaning, and that is man, because he is the only creature to insist on having one" (p.22).

As an Algerian-French citizen, his essays on Algeria's schism between the French ruling class and the Islamic countrymen are chiefly inspiring. Terrorism and state-sponsored retribution are condemned as further alienating a society where people can live in liberty. With some 60 years having passed since the Algerian revolution and the country having won its independence from colonialism, the work feels precedent for finding a humanist lens to bring humanism and justice to a long-standing war. It is no small task and is never trivialized. Camus speaks of overcoming the impulses and the hatred that are naturally a consequence of war. It is an appeal away from the crude idea that war brings progress and towards an artistic perspective that the creation of a new shared idea can bring an unrealized unity.

"The absurd and heart-breaking aspect of the tragedy...in order to someday reach those world-wide perspectives, we must now gather together in paltry fashion to beg merely, without making any other claims yet, that on a single spot of the globe a handful of innocent victims be spared. But since that is our task, however obscure and ungrateful it may be, we must tackle it decisively in order to deserve living someday as free men" (p.106).

Other essays on criminal justice and the authenticity of art are delivered with passion, justice, and an entrenchment of humanism as a guiding light through the grotesque power displays of Nazi Germany, French-occupied Algeria, and totalitarian "socialist" regimes.

Camus's writings offer literary provocations to inspire actions. His compassionate lenses towards our frail and absurd existence produce a perspective that acknowledges the despair that this world offers and a vision away from falsehoods and inauthenticity. Writing of the City of Lights with a storm of bombers in the skies above, Camus provides the hope of a post-WW2 Europe. "It is bursting with all the fires of hope and suffering, it has the flame of lucid courage and all the glow, not only of liberation, but of tomorrow's liberty" (p.29).