Wittgenstein by David Pears

A lucid intellectual biography that traces Wittgenstein’s philosophical development from the early picture theory to the later focus on language games and rule-following, situating his key texts and arguments in biographical and historical context. Combining close textual analysis with personal and anecdotal material, it clarifies central themes—meaning, logic, certainty, and the limits of language—evaluates interpretive controversies, and assesses his lasting influence on twentieth-century philosophy.