Herald of a Restless World

A New Statesman Best Book of 2024

“Insightful…a much-needed reintroduction of Bergson to English-language readers.”

“The most intellectually stimulating book I read this year.”

“Very entertaining.”

“Written in graceful prose and drawing a clear analogy with contemporary techno-optimism and its discontents, this captivates.”

"A solidly researched and earnestly accessible portrait of a creative, free-thinking intellect."

“From perfumed ladies to end-of-life mud baths, this beautifully written book tells the story of a seemingly unassuming, bowler-hatted Frenchman whose philosophy would sweep the world. Its profound ideas—evolution, consciousness, time—are explored with depth and humor in a way that is, appropriately, creative and new. Emily Herring has captured the magic and the mystique of Bergson.”

“Henri Bergson thought nothing could be learned about a philosopher’s ideas by studying their life. Herring proves him very wrong in this engaging biography of the Parisian thinker who accidentally became an international celebrity.”

“With flair and verve, Herring unveils the life and philosophy of the enchanting and trailblazing icon of change and creativity: Henri Bergson. The result is a fascinating biography and magnificent revival of this brilliant thinker who was once the most influential philosopher in the world. Herring’s beautifully compelling narrative shows how Bergson’s ideas still hold the power to illuminate the human experience and the meaning of life.”

“Thanks to Herring, Bergson is back—and it’s about time.”