Join us in January to discuss Humanly Possible: Seven Hundred Years of Humanist Freethinking, Inquiry, and Hope by Sarah Bakewell.

This is a long book that covers a lot of ground. So that we are able to all participate meaningfully in the discussion, if you haven’t been able to read the entire book, we ask that you watch a couple of videos for background. We created a YouTube playlist with a number of videos we think will help folks learn about topics covered in the book. You don’t have to watch them all—but watching one or 2 could really help when it comes time to discuss this book.

About the book:

Voyaging from the literary enthusiasts of the fourteenth century to the secular campaigners of our own time, from Erasmus to Esperanto, from anatomists to agnostics, from Christine de Pizan to Bertrand Russell, and from Voltaire to Zora Neale Hurston, Bakewell brings together extraordinary humanists across history. She explores their immense variety: some sought to promote scientific and rationalist ideas, others put more emphasis on moral living, and still others were concerned with the cultural and literary studies known as “the humanities.” Humanly Possible asks not only what brings all these aspects of humanism together but why it has such enduring power, despite opposition from fanatics, mystics, and tyrants.

While we have included a link to the book on Amazon (and if you use that link, we will earn a 10% commission), we always encourage use of public libraries. In addition to the excellent Onondaga County Public Libraries, New York State residents can get a New York (City) Public Library card or a Brooklyn Public Library card to get access to e-books and audiobooks held by these libraries, such as this book club read!