Doris Lessing

The book's author, Doris Lessing, is by far its most important figure. Given that the book is based on a series of lectures she is asked to present, it follows that Lessing's ideas predominate. In fact, very few other people are named in the book, and each of them gets only passing mention, usually as the author of an important work, a political leader, or other prominent personality. The book is about what Lessing thinks and believes, based on what she has learned and experienced. Through her commentary, a picture emerges of her attitude toward several issues addressed in the book and of her general demeanor. Her intelligence shines through the text, along with her strong censorship of what she sees as humankind's general failure to either heed the lessons of history or to create practical applications of newfound information. Her commitment to emotionally detached rationalism is...