Drinkers of Infinity: Essays 1955-1967

by Arthur Koestler

This selection of essays, book-reviews, broadcast talks and papers delivered to learned societies reflects the extraordinary breadth of Arthur Koestler’s interests. From the trial of Galileo to the pleasures of canoeing down the Loire, from a detailed examination of the ‘memory’ of flatworms to an equally detailed examination of the futility of quarantining dogs, the author writes about a vast range of subjects which occupied his attention in the twelve years (1955-1967) covered by this collection. Those were the years that saw, among many other works, the publication of his great trilogy about the mind of THE SLEEPWALKERS, THE ACT OF CREATION, and THE GHOST IN THE MACHINE. It is not surprising therefore, that many of these essays elaborate certain aspects of arguments which occur in those books. They could, as the author says in his Preface, ‘be called variations on certain themes’, and the selection of books reviewed also reveals a certain thematic coherence. There is, however, a great deal of miscellaneous material, quite different in nature from Koestler’s scientific preoccupations, with which he has been so closely associated in recent years. This includes the subjects of his ‘crusades’, such as the campaign for the abolition of hanging, the scandal of our quarantine laws, some escapist travel essays, and some controversies in which he became engaged. Like everything Koestler writes, DRINKERS OF INFINITY not only stimulates the mind, but gives the greatest pleasure to the reader while doing so.

Genres: Essays, Nonfiction, Philosophy

302 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1968

About the author

Darkness at Noon (1940), novel of Hungarian-born British writer Arthur Koestler, portrays his disillusionment with Communism; his nonfiction works include The Sleepwalkers (1959) and The Ghost in the Machine (1967).


Arthur Koestler CBE [*Kösztler Artúr] was a prolific writer of essays, novels and autobiographies.

He was born into a Hungarian Jewish family in Budapest but, apart from his early school years, was educated in Austria. His early career was in journalism. In 1931 he joined the Communist Party of Germany but, disillusioned, he resigned from it in 1938 and in 1940 published a devastating anti-Communist novel, Darkness at Noon, which propelled him to instant international fame.

Over the next forty-three years he espoused many causes, wrote novels and biographies, and numerous essays. In 1968 he was awarded the prestigious and valuable Sonning Prize "For outstanding contribution to European culture", and in 1972 he was made a "Commander of the British Empire" (CBE).

In 1976 he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and three years later with leukaemia in its terminal stages. He committed suicide in 1983 in London.

Reviews

[Tyler Hakes]

Some very interesting essays. More than anything, I love the style of nonfiction writing that is nearly lost in anything but academic papers at this point.

Koestler writes eloquently and develops strong arguments with great use of language and strong analogies, metaphors, and anecdotes. As a writer, his work is inspiring.

[Reed]

Cool collection of essays. A handful really stood out to me (like the essay critiquing Huxley/Leary's idolatry of psychedelic drugs) but the book as a whole was hit-or-miss. Definitely worth checking out!

[Imad]

on of my bests

[Just a dreamer]

It was okay-ish. Some essays I enjoyed way more than the others. Overall just a meh read.

[Stefan A. Andersson]

Some things are old and not very interesting anymore (British quarantine in the 60's). Others, like views on science, politics etc is more readable.

[Charles Cordell]

Brilliant collection of essays - starting with one of the best analysis of the development of science and the modern age.