Polanowska-Sygulska Beata, Cultural Pluralism and Religious Belief. Rec.: H. Hardy, In Search of Isaiah Berlin: A Literary Adventure, London 2018

Henry Hardy, a doctor of philosophy (Oxford) and Isaiah Berlin’s lifelong editor, had often been asked why he did not write on Berlin himself. His reply used to be in two parts. First and foremost, he observed that he was an editor, not an author. Then he added that he had in fact written several pieces, principally on commission. To the suggestion that he should write more he would reply with typical English self-deprecation: „Read what I have already written, and perhaps you’ll withdraw your suggestion”.

Fortunately 2018 marked a change in Hardy’s attitude. In its fall his first book, In Search of Isaiah Berlin: A Literary Adventure, appeared, and was reprinted only months later . The volume was received enthusiastically . Timothy Garton Ash commented: „this fantastic book (...) is (...) superbly edited, beautifully produced, [and] extremely well written”. Other reviewers characterised it as „a wonderful book on a wonderful subject” (John Banville, The Guardian), „vivid, heartfelt...