Book Review- Pooh and the Philosophers (In which it is shown that all of Western Philosophy is merely a preamble to Winnie-the-Pooh)

On Ms Yee's request, 4J's to do a short book review. (: Well, nobody's done so, so I'll start the ball rolling since I'm currently reading "Pooh and the Philosophers (In which it is shown that all of Western Philosophy is merely a preamble to Winnie-the-Pooh)" By John Tyerman Williams.

It is an extremely mind boggling book- I didn't choose it on deliberation, my dad did for me. But it is very interesting because it exposed me to many secular perceptions, and it brought quite a bit of twist to the original Winnie-the-Pooh story I knew.

However, I must say that I disagree at some of the author's allegories that make a few of the connections seem a little too forced. For an example when the author expounded about the purpose of the blue balloon used by Winnie-the-Pooh to get to the honey, was interpreted as a symbolization of earth.

"The shape of the balloon makes the elementary symbolism obvious enough, while the picture of the balloon floating in the air is as near to the earth floating in space as the imaginative limits of the parable allow. Nevertheless, this picture prompts some questions. It even raises what the shallow-minded may consider difficulties."

Throughout the whole book, I received a feeling of condemnation whenever I thought otherwise of the author's theories.

In any case, some theories and ideas were agreeable, like for an example, when the author explained about the use of the Useful Pot given to Eeyore as a birthday present, and the perception of Christopher Robin as a person whom is satisfied with his mind's own narrow limits and its equally narrow world. One time is when Winnie-the-Pooh asked him what the North Pole is, and he answered carelessly, although not being quite sure of the answer himself.

In all, the book is educational on philosophy, explaining many of the terms with simple examples from the Hundred Acre Wood. But being part of the 'superficial and blinded generation', I really do wonder if Milne (author of Winnie-the-Pooh) did intend every single philosophical meaning to every word.

I took me a bit of time to understand the book, but do read the book if you like philosophy, Winnie-the-Pooh and new Winnie-the-Pooh twists. (:


-Rachel