- ISBN13: 9780470316603
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
An unauthorized look at the philosophical issues raised by one of today’s most popular television shows: House
House is one of the top three television dramas on the air, pulling in more than 19 million viewers for each episode. This latest book in the popular Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series takes a deeper look at the characters and issues raised in this Emmy Award-winning medical drama, offering entertaining answers to the fascinating eth… More >>
House and Philosophy: Everybody Lies
I have never received this product and neither Amzaon not A1 Books (the company that actually sold the book) has made any attempt to either get me the product that I paid for or refund my credit card. I brought this book on Amazon’s site because I trusted that it would be delivered. If I don’t receive either my book or a refund, I will never buy from Amazon or it’s affiliates again. It’s not the dollar value. It’s the fact that taking money given in good faith and not deliving what is promised is morally and ethically wrong and I can’t do business with a company that think this kind of practice is OKHouse and Philosophy: Everybody Lies (The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series)
Rating: 1 / 5
I can’t really review the book itself, as it was a Christmas gift. But my friend who is a House fanatic was ecstatic about receiving the gift, so that has to say something.
Rating: 4 / 5
I love the show because it actually challenges me to think. The plot and dialogue aren’t as simplistic as so many of the shows made today.
However, the book took things too far. It wasn’t witty like the show, and didn’t make me laugh at times like the show does. It was very dry and felt like I was taking a college philosophy class. In fact, in my opinion you need a pretty strong background in philosophy to enjoy most of this book (and I am a well-educated, well-read person – just not in the field of philosophy).
Too much philosophy, too little House. Maybe Hugh Laurie should have written the book.
Rating: 2 / 5
I got this book in hopes of gaining insights into the HOUSE MD characters (especially HOUSE himself). I was disappointed to the point that I wished I could get my money back, it was so awful.
This book was just an opportunity for a bunch of shrinks/philosopers to analyze the series with most not even talking about HOUSE at all! It seemed it was more of a way for these people to stroke their own egos as they talk about historical/mythological characters that had little if anything to do with the show.
I actually found Laurie’s own mystery novel The Gun Seller more engaging than this book. Fans of Dick Francis will find “The Gun Seller” right down their alley, as he writes with a similar style.
But I digress… If you love HOUSE MD and are looking for insights into the characters, look elsewhere.
Rating: 1 / 5
I haven’t read this book yet, but couldn’t help but chime in regarding the observation made by others about the hugely obvious similarities between the character of Dr. Gregory House, M.D., and Sherlock Holmes. Anyone who has ever watched the incomparable Jeremy Brett’s performance as Sherlock Holmes in the Granada Television series from the 1980’s and 1990’s will instantly see the parallels between these two characters.
Apparently, this is no accident, as those who pay close attention when watching the House series will notice that Dr. House’s home address is 223b Baker Street! It floors me that the creators of the series make little to no allusion to the fact that they have borrowed so heavily from the Sherlock Holmes character in the bonus features you see on the House M.D. DVD sets.
Some interesting parallels:
Both House and Holmes share the following traits:
1) Both are confirmed bachelors.
2) Both live at 221b Baker Street.
3) Each has a male sidekick who is a physician. (Dr. Wilson / Dr. Watson).
4) Both studiously avoid taking on mundane, ordinary cases, because they are “BORING” – as each is prone to exclaim.
5) Both charactors love to solve difficult puzzles.
6) Both exhibit outrageous behavior and anti-social tendencies.
7) Each is an investigator without peer in their respective fields.
8) Both have had drug addictions.
9) Both are willing to burgle, break the law, bend rules, etc. to achieve their ends.
10) Both have little tolerance/patience for people of mediocre intellect.
11) Both have an encyclopedic knowledge of obscure subject matter.
12) Both are keen observers of small details who use deductive reasoning to reach non-obvious conclusions.
13) Both characters are reknowned in their professions.
While the character of Dr. Gregory House may indeed have been founded from multiple inspirations, it is clear that the over-riding theft of intellectual property came from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle!
Rating: 4 / 5