All Men Are Ghosts

Lawrence Pearsall JacksProject Gutenberg · United StatesMar 2023

2.9

Word count: 353K words
Chapters: 36

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.All Men are Ghosts by L. P. JacksAuthor: Jacks, L. P. (Lawrence Pearsall), 1860-1955,Language: English, Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature, Release Date: Jun 26, 2011

Editor's review

This is an English work by the British educator and philosopher Lawrence Pearsall Jacks, released by Project Gutenberg as a free eBook. Jacks is known for his writings on education and religious philosophy, and his prose often begins from everyday experience to discuss life, belief, and social order. The title has a speculative ring, and the content is closer to essayistic philosophical discussion than to plotted narrative. Its value lies in presenting a gentle reflection on the meaning of life by an early twentieth-century English-speaking intellectual: the argument is unhurried and the tone plain, suited to slow reading in a quiet setting. For Chinese readers, the original language is not especially difficult, but the argument depends on cultural context and requires some patience with English. It is not a primer of philosophy; it is better read as supplementary reading by those interested in the essay tradition and the philosophy of life, as a way to sense the intellectual temperament of that era.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in the philosophy of life and essay writing
Readers with some English who want to read original thought-oriented texts
Readers interested in early twentieth-century British intellectual culture
Readers who like slow reading and thinking as they go

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking systematic philosophy textbooks or introductory guides
Readers who struggle with English and want Chinese translation and notes
Readers who prefer strong plots and fast-paced narrative

Reading tips

Read chapter by chapter, and after each section write down the main points and questions in your own words, then review.
When you meet abstract argument, grasp the overall thread first; do not get stuck on individual unfamiliar words, and read closely on a second pass.
You may pair it with a concise history of Western philosophy or background on the author to help understand the context of the discussion.
Choose a quiet time and read one chapter at a time, leaving room for thought and avoiding continuous speed-reading.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book a novel or a philosophical essay?

It is closer to a philosophical essay than a novel. It has no continuous plot or character development; instead it discusses topics such as life and belief in a plain, unhurried tone. Reading it requires following the author's thought rather than chasing a story.

Can I understand it without a philosophy background?

You can read it, but patience is needed. It is not a systematic philosophy textbook, and its argument relies on cultural context and common experience. Readers without a background can first grasp the main idea of each section and use background materials where the discussion is abstract, without insisting on understanding every sentence.

Why is slow reading recommended rather than speed-reading?

Because the book is mainly speculative and reflective, and its density lies in ideas and argument rather than plot. Speed-reading makes it easy to remember only conclusions and miss the reasoning; slow reading with brief notes lets you appreciate the author's thought and the temperament of the era.

Is this book related to the author's educational thought?

The material only shows that the author, Jacks, was an educator and philosopher, and the title points to themes of life and existence; it does not provide direct content on his educational thought. Readers interested in his educational views should look for relevant specialized works and should not infer them from this book alone.

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About the author

Lawrence Pearsall Jacks Author · British · 1860–1955

Lawrence Pearsall Jacks (1860–1955) was a British educator, philosopher and Unitarian minister. In 1902 he founded The Hibbert Journal and served as its editor for many years, and from 1915 to 1931 he was principal of Manchester College. He wrote works including Revolt Against Mechanism, championing liberal education and a world outlook, and was an important voice in British intellectual life between the two world wars. Three of his works are included here, touching on both the observation of human nature and religious reflection: Mad Shepherds, and Other Human Studies sketches the lives of shepherds and human character in a gentle, thoughtful essay style; Religious Perplexities confronts difficulties of faith; and All Men are Ghosts unfolds speculative imagination. Often classed as inspirational reading, these works are plain in tone and hope to lead readers toward self-reflection and growth.