The Need for Roots: Prelude to a Declaration of Obligations towards the Human Being

Simone Weil's famous work, "The Need for Roots," argues that our greatest need is to be rooted in a community, place, and shared past and future hopes. She wrote it for the Free French movement while exiled in London during the Second World War.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 26 October 2023
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

A fresh interpretation of Simone Weil's most renowned work, a political, philosophical, and spiritual treatise on the potential of human existence.

Simone Weil, a renowned philosopher of the 20th century, envisioned a profound connection binding all individuals. In her magnum opus, "The Need for Roots," she asserted that our utmost longing is to establish roots: in a community, a place, a shared history, and a collective vision for the future. Crafted during her exile in London during World War II, Weil's visionary synthesis of philosophy, politics, and mysticism offers an insightful response to the question of what life could be without occupation and oppression.

Regarded as the patron saint of all outsiders, Andre Gide has left an indelible mark on the world of literature. Described as the sole great spirit of our time by Albert Camus, Gide's profound insights and lyrical prose continue to resonate with readers worldwide. Translated by Ros Schwartz, with an introduction by Kate Kirkpatrick, this new edition of "The Need for Roots" ensures that Weil's timeless message reaches a broader audience, allowing her ideas to inspire and transform lives for generations to come.

Weight: 218g
Dimension: 128 x 198 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780241467978