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55 reviews
July 15,2025
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Really interesting read.

I have learned a great deal about Carroll's life. It came as a surprise to me that he was a Math professor. Additionally, I was unaware of his intense interest in photography. He took a significant number of photos, with a particular focus on children, especially girls. The text also delved into his relationship with the real Alice. This provides an excellent background for anyone who has an interest in Carroll's works. It offers valuable insights into the man behind the famous stories and how his life experiences may have influenced his writing. By learning about his various pursuits and relationships, we can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of his literary contributions.

Overall, it was a fascinating exploration of Carroll's life and a great resource for those who want to know more about this renowned author.
July 15,2025
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I absolutely loved this book. It provides such a detailed account and gives great insights into this extremely intelligent man.

Despite the numerous challenges he faced, he accomplished a great deal. It is truly evident that he was a very talented person.

After reading this book, I have been left with an abundance of respect and admiration for this author. The account is written extremely well, engaging the reader from start to finish.

It offers a fascinating look into the life and achievements of this remarkable individual, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about him.

The author's ability to present the information in a clear and interesting way is truly commendable, making this book a must-read for all.

Overall, I cannot praise this book enough and look forward to reading more from this talented author in the future.
July 15,2025
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'Computerisable' is a remarkable concept as it bypasses the typical intermediary decisions that are usually made during calculations. It represents a model of computational simplicity. Charles Dodgson had a profound understanding of the notion of the rank of a linear system, which was a significant contribution to both linear algebra and the theory of determinants.


There is an interesting connection between Charles' work on determinants and the Alice books in terms of their inversions and mirror imaging. Carroll's mind, much like that of the White Knight, appeared to function most effectively when he was perceiving things upside down. The method of condensation is analogous to Alice shrinking after drinking from the bottle labeled 'drink me'. A large array of numbers gradually diminishes in size until only a single number, the determinant, remains.


It is also worth noting that Carrol worked on Darwin's books. Additionally, there is the topic of abstinence from the attendance at theatres by Christians. This aspect may have had an influence on Carroll's life and perhaps even on his works, although the exact nature of this connection remains to be explored further.

July 15,2025
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I've been rereading this biography, along with several others over the last six months.

This is probably one of the best biographies about Lewis Carroll, a Victorian mathematician who wrote "Alice in Wonderland" and other stories.

The author does not shy away from suggestions about Carroll's relationship with children. I've studied Carroll off and on for most of my life and I don't believe, for a moment, that he was a pedophile. His interest in children was not sexual, but I do think he had conflicts of a sexual kind outside that nature.

Like many Victorians, Carroll was deeply rooted in his time period.

I think a lot of Carroll's personality can be explained in his love of mathematics. People may shake their heads at this, but just look at the psychology of it. Carroll was highly conservative in all things and math was a way he ordered the strange and changing world he lived in.

He sometimes stammered, was shy, and "Alice in Wonderland" is full of math and irony. He was a control freak and morally very strict with himself. I really find him charming in many ways.

The fact that he and George MacDonald were friends speaks to his love of fantasy and adventure and the possibility of telling stories for children as a way of talking about the world.

Ironically, children were safe angels. And he photographed them. It's impossible to judge him by modern standards of any kind. Great book. Everyone should read it.

Carroll's life was complex and full of contradictions. His love for mathematics and his ability to create fantastical worlds in his stories are both remarkable.

By reading this biography, we can gain a better understanding of the man behind the famous works and the era in which he lived.

It's a fascinating look into a unique and influential figure in literature and history.
July 15,2025
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Hardback, 580 pages.

All I can truly express regarding this book is that it is extremely, extremely good. The author crafts it in a manner that sustains the reader's interest. There are diverse pictures, an appendix, and notes.

Despite its considerable length, I continuously desired to read more of it. It is thoroughly enjoyable.

This book is a real gem. The detailed illustrations add another dimension to the story, making it more vivid and engaging. The appendix and notes provide additional information and context, enhancing the overall reading experience.

Even though it takes some time to get through all 580 pages, it is well worth the effort. I found myself completely immersed in the world created by the author.

Whether you are a fan of the genre or simply looking for a good read, this book is highly recommended. You will not be disappointed.
July 15,2025
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This is a first-class biography of an amazing and complicated man.

If a biographer idolizes the subject of his biography, the result can often be flawed. The biographer may gloss over the subject's negatives or try to explain them away. However, Morton N. Cohen doesn't take that approach.

He is clearly a fan, but he doesn't ignore the controversies surrounding his personality. Instead, he explains things and leaves it to the reader to decide what to make of the information.

I found the biography to be highly readable. Although the subject material is largely linear, it's not completely so. It starts with the beginning of his life and ends with the end, but there are occasional chapters that cover his entire life.

For example, "The man's father" looks at Charles' relationship with his father throughout his life, and "The man's faith" examines Charles' religious beliefs.

Other chapters also jump backward and forward in time a bit, but not so much that you lose track of things. I understand why the author did this. He wanted to emphasize the important aspects rather than simply spreading them throughout the book, where crucial insights might get lost.

Still, I can see how this approach might bother some people. But it didn't bother me. I enjoyed the biography from start to finish.

If you're a fan of the "Alice" books (and who wouldn't be!), then this biography provides a fascinating look into the life of a very complicated and ultimately lonely man.
July 15,2025
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I am truly enjoying this book as it provides a comprehensive overall picture of the guy.

However, I have this nagging feeling that he might be leaving certain things out or simply glossing over many of the significant events in Dodgson's life.

It seems as if he is doing this as a means of protecting something or someone.

Maybe he is playing it a bit too safe, not delving as deeply as he could into the more controversial or complex aspects of Dodgson's life.

Nonetheless, despite these minor drawbacks, the book is still very helpful.

It offers valuable insights and information that would otherwise be difficult to come by.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about Dodgson and his life.

It may not be a perfect portrayal, but it does a good job of presenting a well-rounded view.

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