Baruch Spinoza :The Living Thoughts Library

Baruch Benedict de Spinoza was born in Amsterdam in 1632. He belonged to the emigrant Jewish community. He was much influenced by the writings of Descartes. His unorthodox views led him to be excommunicated by the Jewish authorities in 1659. In the following years he devoted himself to his philosophical writings. He derived a modest income from grinding optical lenses. In 1673 he refused an invitation to become professor of philosophy at Heidelberg. Spinoza died at The Hague from consumption in 1677.

Arnold Zweig 1887 1968 was born in Glogua, Germany. During the First World War he joined the German Eastern Front Headquarter at Verdun. He was a strong oponent of Nazism which forced him into exile from Germany in 1934. He returned later after the Second World War. He was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize in 1959. His other works include The Crowning of a King and The Axe of Wandsbek.