Dialectic of the Ladder

Given the fierce complexity of Wittgenstein’s thought, Ware is to be praised for the clear exposition of his philosophy and for the many helpful suggestions he proffers for how the philosopher’s ideas might be relevant to those studying modernism. * Key Words *
Overall, Benjamin Ware's dialectical reading of the Tractacus is a very stimulating and successful attempt to interpret the literature. I hope to read more from him! * Wittgenstein-Studien (Bloomsbury translation) *
[Ware] broadens the context of existing discussions of the early Wittgenstein's relation to modernist critiques of culture in a very helpful way ... Anyone interested in the text will benefit from engaging with this stimulating work. * British Wittgenstein Society *
Ben Ware’s superb study does not only offer a lucid and original reading of Wittgenstein’s Tractatus; it also situate it with admirable skill in the context of literary modernism and in doing so casts radical new light on this notoriously difficult philosophical text. * Terry Eagleton *
Ben Ware writes a refreshing, opinionated book about Tractatus, in which Ezra Pound, Ludwig Uhland, Oswald Spengler, Thomas Mann and Julien Benda get a non-obvious place in a reading of Wittgenstein. (Bloomsbury translation) * Tijdschrift voor Filosofie *
Departing from Wittgenstein's claim that the Tractatus is 'strictly philosophical and at the same time literary' Ben Ware succeeds in showing not only how it works as a contribution to literary modernism but also how this is inseparable from its philosophical achievement. He restores the strangeness to a text that we thought had become familiar and places it in the company of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Hofmannsthal and Kafka. It is sure to send readers back to the Tractatus with renewed wonder and curiosity. * Howard Caygill, Professor Of Modern European Philosophy, Kingston University, UK *
Ludwig Wittgenstein notoriously wrote to Bertrand Russell that nobody would ever understand his Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus; for students of modernism and the avant-gardes this is no longer true, thanks to Ben Ware’s exciting new study. With a majestic authorial voice Ware leads his readers to appreciate Wittgenstein’s short text as a vital part of modern literary history. In a challenging reading of Kafka, Ware further shows how Wittgenstein’s book carries within itself a singular way of reading and experiencing literature, as well as oneself. There is little more one can expect from a scholar’s work. A formidable achievement. * Sascha Bru, Assistant Professor Modern Literature and Theory, University of Leuven, Belgium *