The Murder of Professor Schlick

The Vienna Circle was a group of polymaths—primarily scientists and philosophers—who held weekly meetings in Vienna between the World Wars. This book is by far the best retelling of their story, and it’s fascinating.

While their names aren’t well known, their work had tremendous influence. They prominently shaped the reception and understanding of Einstein’s new theories of relativity, began the use of simple images to communicate information without words, and introduced logical developments that eventually led to computers and other technology.

When David Edmunds writes, “We live during a time where phrases like post-truth and fake news are bandied around” and “empiricism is more relevant than ever,” he is introducing a fascinating and beautifully written book about… Vienna in the 1930s! 

Although the book’s focus is the Vienna Circle and logical empiricism, Edmunds also does a wonderful job painting the times in which the Circle both flourished and fell, capturing the rising political extremism.