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JOHNSON, W.R., Lucretius and the Modern World. Duckworth, London, n.d. Photomechanical reprint ed.2006. X,163p. Paperback.This lepidus libellus from the pen of W. R. Johnson makes for a fun read. (...) The book provides an introduction to the De rerum natura itself and tells the story of Lucretius' reception from the seventeenth century onward. To judge from the title as well as from the book's cover, which shows Lucretius in profile before a billowing nuclear mushroom, the purpose of the work is to present a Lucretius 'for our times'. But make no mistake about it: this is not some well-meaning and well-mannered humanistic attempt to make a classic palatable to a wider audience. What this fascinating and unabashedly personal book amounts to is nothing less than an impassioned Epicurean manifesto. The first part ('The Poem Itself') offers an excellent discussion of some of the major aspects of Lucretius' poem. (...) The author's interpretations of the Lucretian text are typically insightful and presented in an extremely clear, albeit idiosyncratic, manner. (...) Be that as it may, the most exciting thing about J.'s book is the fact that just as Lucretius presents the teachings of Epicurus not in some detached way but rather with missionary fervor, J., too, emotionally identifies (or affects to identify--but I think it must be the former) with his subject matter in a way that lends enormous power to his exposition. (...) It is to be hoped that some part of the so-called 'general public' will in fact discover the Epicurean pleasures of J.'s work; professional classicists, at any rate, will be riveted by this refreshing new look at one of the good old texts they know and love.' (KATHARINA VOLK in Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2001.01.17). € 20.50 (New) ISBN: 9780715628829