Goldstein does an outstanding job of personalizing the story of Spinoza.

She intertwines his history with her own introduction to the philosopher in grade school and her evolving perspective as she independently researches him.

Spinoza was truly ahead of his time. In my view, he appears to be one of the first to openly express the idea that a moral code doesn't necessitate a belief in "god."

He equates "god" with nature - it lies in the astonishing wonders of the world that can be understood through reason and science, yet are no less astonishing and awe-inspiring.

His ideas challenge the traditional notions and make us think deeply about the relationship between morality, religion, and the natural world.

Goldstein's account not only provides a fascinating look into Spinoza's life and thoughts but also encourages us to reevaluate our own beliefs and perspectives.

It shows how the study of philosophy can have a profound impact on our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Overall, Goldstein's work is a remarkable exploration of Spinoza's philosophy and its significance in today's society.

Once I got through the first few chapters, the book was a breeze.

The first few chapters were brutal for me, as a person whose mind gets twisted with vocabulary I don't understand and concepts unfamiliar to me. I've never studied philosophy beyond basic logic, and "a priori", ontological truths, and the "is/ought gap" are totally new terms for me, and my understanding of their usage is, obviously, still shaky.

Anyway, the book felt like a conversation with Goldstein about a very interesting character of history. In this conversation, many subjects were discussed: philosophy, human rights, the effect of suffering on human nature, the place of religion in the life of the individual and of the community, and a little storytelling was thrown in for entertainment.

I had to read the first chapter seven times with a dictionary and my computer at hand to understand some of her discussion of Spinoza's philosophy as it came up. After the seventh time, I was exhausted. I took a break from Goldstein's work and spent some time with David Sedaris. Then I was ready to return to 'Betraying Spinoza'. It was finished in two days' time.

I really enjoyed this book. I can't wait to read it again. Maybe after that, I will be ready to tackle 'The Ethics'. I can't wait!

I read this a few years ago.

I vividly remember having a great time reading Spinoza during my college days and having several sessions of reading him since then.

The author manages to incorporate a significant amount of history and presents a sympathetic portrayal of Spinoza. It's not as if Spinoza doesn't deserve sympathy.

This is a short book that can be read quickly, yet it is about a great western male philosopher.

It provides an accessible introduction to Spinoza's life and ideas, making it suitable for both those who are new to philosophy and those who have some prior knowledge.

The author's writing style is engaging and makes the subject matter interesting and approachable.

Overall, it's a worthwhile read for anyone interested in learning more about Spinoza and the history of western philosophy.

Rebecca Newberger Goldstein's encounter with the subject of Spinoza took place during her school days.

Her teacher didn't present a favorable image of him. Spinoza had been excommunicated from the Jewish community of Amsterdam due to his disbelief in many things, including the idea that Moses could have written the Torah.

Ms. Goldstein, who is also a skeptic of established wisdom, felt a connection with Spinoza. She pursued a career as a philosopher and, after studying Spinoza's work, became curious about the man himself. She endeavors to tell that story in this book.

However, Spinoza preferred to keep his personal life private and only permitted the publication of his philosophical works and non-personal letters.

Consequently, in this volume, there is informed speculation, some discussion of his work, and some history of the Jewish community that migrated to the Netherlands from Portugal due to the Inquisition.

Ms. Goldstein, who is also a novelist, employs novelistic techniques in parts of the book. I think these could be omitted. Nevertheless, her prose is so clear, smooth, and concise that reading her is a delight.