Ken Wolfs Personalities and Problems Essay - 1359 Words

Ken Wolfs Personalities and Problems Ken Wolf, a professor of history at Murray Sate University and author of Personalities and Problems, wrote with the intent to illustrate the varied richness of human history over the past five centuries. He took various personalities such as adventurers, princes, political leaders, and writers and categorized them in a way for readers to draw lines between them to create a clearer view of world history for himself. Beginning each new chapter with a specific question about worldly concerns and disciplines allowed the readers to relate the topics to broader, more general scenarios of their cultures. Answering the questions in essay form gave examples of how certain cultures/ parts of the world†¦show more content†¦The church thought they had a solution to their problem with Luther by excommunicating him; however, he fought a tough battle. Implications show that he never gave up or threw in the hat. Nevertheless, if Luther did give up, there would have never been a Protestant r eform at that time and maybe we would be struggling and fighting Luther?s battle today. Aside from that example, Wolf added a plethora of admirable characters to his work. Not only did Luther set an example for readers that fighting for what one thinks is right is not easy, so did Elizabeth I. Readers may admire Elizabeth for trying to find a common ground by keeping a Protestant title, by allowing the practice of other religions. Wolf states she proceeded to do this ?using her cunning, energy, and intelligence to control friends and enemies alike (p.145).? Other admirable people included the great philosophers with the likes of Confucius and Plato. Both Confucius and Plato believed that in order to have a ?perfect? or ?good ?society, the ruler needed superior virtue and wisdom. Both of these philosophers set the guidelines for future philosophers and can be considered of the ?great teachers? throughout history. Wolf also follows through with his purpose to explain the richness of human history. By interconnecting some of the same people to various essays he helped the readers to draw the lines between the characters and make connections. For one, just