{"product_id":"general-preface-and-life-of-dr-john-north-9781487579210","title":"General Preface and Life of Dr John North","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis volume contains two important works by Roger North (1651?—1734): his \u003cem\u003eGeneral Preface\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eLife of Dr John North\u003c\/em\u003e. The \u003cem\u003eGeneral Preface\u003c\/em\u003e is a remarkable discussion of the theory of life writing, in which North works towards a revolutionary new kind of biography that combines practical, ethical, and scientific uses. It is a plea for a personal biography that will entertain its readers, teach them valuable moral and practical lessons, and at the same time add to the store of data available on human nature. North is led to consider such matters as the use of subject’s own works, the separation of the private life from the public, the unreliability of memory, and the unlikely combination of qualities needed in a biographer; he goes on to discuss the ethical responsibilities of the ‘historiographer’ and meditates on the folly of devoting oneself to public service. The General Preface is a landmark in the history of biographical theor\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"University of Toronto Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51359454691671,"sku":"9781487579210","price":21.59,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781487579210.jpg?v=1754124697","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/general-preface-and-life-of-dr-john-north-9781487579210","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}