As his argument goes, there are those who produce Wittenstein biographies, but with little regard for or understanding of his works, and then there are many introductory texts (and more difficult commentaries) on Wittgenstein's works, but they're divorced from his life, and Monk states as his goal to bridge these two: "I hope to make it clear how this work came from the man, to show — what many who read Wittgenstein's work instinctively feel — the unity of his philosophical concerns with his emotional and spiritual life." (xviii)

Perhaps ni could give a better assessment of the other Wittgenstein biographies out there, but Monk does provide a bibliography. I noted a work by A.J. Ayer (Wittgenstein, 1985) there, for example (and Ayer is a recognizable student of Wittgenstein and famous [dead] philosopher in his own right), as well as, say, Baker's Wittgenstein, Frege and the Vienna Circle (1988) for something that is more contextual. I've heard good things about Norman Malcolm's Ludwig Wittgenstein: A Memoir (Oxford University Press, 1984). I've been interested in reading Wittgenstein's Poker, but haven't gotten to it. Sorry I can't be of more help.

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"The german quoting guy is a little bit out there." (fleece)
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