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Autumn Leaves
by André GideThis collection of reflective essays forms a &“spiritual autobiography&” of André Gide, a key figure of French letters André Gide, a literary and intellectual giant of twentieth-century France, mines his memories and personal observations in this collection of essays. Gide&’s reflections and commentary masterfully showcase his delicate writing style and evocative sensibility, yielding new insights on writers such as Goethe and contemporaries Joseph Conrad, Nicolas Poussin, Arthur Rimbaud, and Paul-Marie Verlaine. Through it all, Gide skillfully investigates humanity&’s contradictory nature and struggles to resolve the moral, political, and religious conflicts inherent in daily life. This ebook features a new introduction by Jeanine Parisier Plottel, selected quotes, and an image gallery.
Urien's Voyage
by André GideNobel Prize–winning writer André Gide marks his voyage toward self-discovery in this imaginative allegorical work When Urien and his sailing companions begin their voyage, it is to places unknown and, perhaps, only dreamed. This allegorical masterpiece from André Gide, a key figure of French letters, deftly illustrates the techniques and doctrine of the Symbolist movement—and the dual nature of Gide&’s own psyche. Written at a crucial time in his artistic development, this imaginative work signals his gradual abandonment of acetic celibacy toward an embrace of pleasure and carnal desires, revealing a Gide more transparent in this early work than in his mature writings. Translator and scholar Wade Baskin annotates the work, connecting Gide&’s life and bibliography to the text.
How the Good Guys Finally Won: Notes from an Impeachment Summer
by Jimmy BreslinAfter the Watergate scandal corrupted American democracy, it took a gang of honest politicians to restore honorNot long after burglars were caught raiding the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Hotel, Congressman Tip O'Neill noticed that Democratic fundraising efforts for the 1972 election had stalled. Major contributors were under IRS investigation, and Republican lackeys were threatening further trouble if those donors didn't close their checkbooks. O'Neill sensed a conspiracy coming from the Nixon administration, but it wasn't until the scandal broke that he connected the threatened donors with the Watergate burglary. In the boldest move of his career, he did something that would shock the nation: O'Neill decided to impeach the President. To his fellow members of the House of Representatives, this was an ugly idea. But as evidence mounted against Nixon and his cronies, O'Neill led the charge against the President. This blow-by-blow, conviction-by-conviction account is a gripping reminder of how O'Neill and his colleagues brought justice to those who abused their power, and revived America after the greatest political scandal in its history. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Jimmy Breslin including rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the author's personal collection.
Confucius: A Throneless King
by Meher McarthurAn illuminating portrait of Confucius's life and philosophical teachings Confucius is one of the most important figures in Chinese history, a man whose philosophies have shaped world culture. Often overlooked outside his native country, Confucius himself was a fascinating figure. A contemporary of Buddha, Confucius was an outspoken and uncompromising man who revolutionized Chinese society nearly 2,500 years ago, when the country was merely a loose web of feudal provinces. No small feat for the illegitimate son of a retired soldier and a teenage concubine who once received a prophecy from the local fortune-teller that she would give birth to a "throneless king." Perhaps because of these humble beginnings, Confucius had a passionate belief in respect for others and this belief underpinned his life and teachings. He advised the emperors and kings of his day, gaining both their respect and undying enmity. He was equally proud of both achievements, saying that if the evil people of the world liked him, he was doing something wrong. In this enlightening portrait of a great man, the reader will discover how Confucius's theories became the foundation of social structures throughout Asia that still exist today.
A Smile in the Mind's Eye: An Adventure into Zen Philosophy
by Lawrence DurrellThe &“virtuoso&” author&’s memoir of his spiritual journey with famed Taoist philosopher Jolan Chang (The New York Times). Beginning with their first meeting over lunch at Lawrence Durrell&’s Provencal home, Durrell and Jolan Chang—renowned Taoist philosopher and expert on Eastern sexuality—developed an enduring relationship based on mutual spiritual exploration. Durrell&’s autobiographical rumination on their friendship and on Taoism recounts the author&’s existential ponderings, starting with his introduction to the mystical and enigmatic &“smile in the mind&’s eye.&” From parsimony, cooking, and yoga to poetry, Petrarch, and Nietzche, A Smile in the Mind&’s Eye is a charming tale of a writer&’s spiritual and philosophical awakening.
Not in Your Lifetime: The Defining Book on the J.F.K. Assassination
by Anthony SummersUpdated with the latest evidence, Pulitzer Prize finalist Anthony Summers&’s essential, acclaimed account of President Kennedy&’s assassination. Almost sixty years after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, most Americans still think they have not been told the truth about his death. Chief Justice Earl Warren, who chaired the first inquiry, said &“some things&” that &“involve security&” might not be released in the lifetime of the then public. Millions of pages of assassination records were made public since the late 1990s. As of 2022, however, more than thirteen thousand declassified documents—most of them from CIA records—still contain redactions. President Biden ordered that all documents be released in December of 2022—unless he sanctions continued secrecy. Anthony Summers&’s account of the murder mystery that haunts America is one of the finest books on the assassination. &“An awesome work, with the power of a plea as from Zola for justice.&” —Los Angeles Times &“The closest we have to that literary chimera, a definitive work on the events in Dallas.&” —The Boston Globe
Five Volumes of Spiritual Wisdom: The Wisdom of the Torah, The Wisdom of the Talmud, The Wisdom of the Koran, The Wisdom of Muhammad, and The Wisdom of Buddha (Wisdom)
by The Wisdom SeriesA stunning collection of ancient wisdom featuring powerful insights from five of the world&’s most influential religions.The Wisdom of the Torah is an instruction in the central beliefs of three world religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. But by observing the Torah, or the Hebrew Bible, as a collected work of multiple authors spanning generations, the modern reader can look beyond its fundamental instruction. In these works, readers find many lyrical and timeless reflections on what it means to have faith and to be a member of the human race. The Wisdom of the Talmud presents a thorough history and overview of the Talmud, the rabbinical commentary on the Torah that was developed in the Jewish academies of Palestine and Babylonia. From man&’s purpose and miracles to marriage and wellness to consciousness and community, the Talmud considers what it means to practice faith on a daily basis and through a changing world. In The Wisdom of the Koran, readers will discover a selection of key chapters such as &“The Night Journey&” and &“The Cave,&” footnotes to convey context and meaning, as well as several stories from Judeo-Christian history. This invaluable anthology is an excellent step toward greater understanding of one of the finest pieces of Arabic prose and the Muslim faith. The Wisdom of Muhammad is essential reading for anyone who wants to have a true understanding of Islam, and offers a compelling examination of the life and sayings of the Prophet. Covering a diverse range of topics, from marriage and civic charity to the individual&’s relationship to God and the afterlife, the Prophet&’s words dispel misconceptions about the history of the faith, its leader, and its core beliefs. The Wisdom of Buddha, drawn from the sacred books of Buddhism, reveals the insights and beliefs at the heart of the world&’s fourth-largest religion. Covering the birth and death of the Buddha, as well as the major tenets of Buddhism, this collection offers a profound view of the Buddhist religion and its founder. These five volumes from Philosophical Library&’s groundbreaking Wisdom series are available in one volume for the first time.
Chicken Soup for the Cancer Survivor's Soul: Healing Stories of Courage and Inspiration
by Jack Canfield Mark Victor Hansen Patty Aubery Nancy Mitchell R. N Beverly KirkhartMore than 100 cancer survivors share their personal stories in this touching new collection of Chicken Soup. These heartwarming accounts of courageous people who found the power to battle cancer in their endless hope, unwavering faith, and steadfast determination will inspire you to adopt a positive attitude, discover your faith, and cherish every moment. Just what the doctor ordered for healing your body, mind, and soul.
The Glannon Guide To Constitutional Law: Individual Rights and Liberties
by Brannon Padgett DenningGlannon Guide to Constitutional Law: Individual Rights and Liberties is a concise, clear, and effective review of Individual Rights and Liberties topics in Constitutional Law that is organized around multiple-choice questions. Brief explanatory text about a topic is followed by one or two multiple-choice questions. After each question, the author explains how the correct choice was identified thereby helping the student to review course content and at the same time learn how to analyze exam questions.
How "God" Works: A Logical Inquiry on Faith
by Marshall BrainThe founder of HowStuffWorks.com uses objectivity, logic, and critical thinking to explore the question of God’s reality in an honest way.Does God exist? Using an intellectually rigorous, scientific approach, Marshall Brain—the founder of HowStuffWorks.com and author of the How Stuff Works series—sets out to resolve the eternal debate once and for all. With a compelling sense of curiosity, he breaks down mankind’s search for a higher power, tackling such quandaries as: Who is God? What are his attributes? What is God doing and why? How does God interact with humanity? And ultimately, how can humans know with certainty whether God is real or imaginary?How “God” Works is an enlightening journey in critical thinking that challenges readers to boldly approach the subject of personal faith and put aside intuition in favor of objectivity and logic.“Takes readers on a journey of critical thinking . . . it is the combination of all the arguments made and the approach to those arguments that make this book so convincing.” —Skeptic Ink“Brain subjects Christianity to withering analysis . . . He is precise and convincing in his analytical process.” —TheHumanist.com
A Little Bit of Buddha: An Introduction to Buddhist Thought (Little Bit Series #2)
by Chad MercreeDiscover the essential principles of Buddhism and how they can enrich your life with this accessible introduction to this ancient spiritual philosophy.At its heart, Buddhism blossoms from one source: the words and life of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. Yet this single source has given life to a profoundly rich and varied spiritual tradition—one that continues to grow and evolve today. Chad Mercree, a lifetime student of Buddhist philosophy and meditation, reveals in simple language how Buddhism can yield personal growth in the modern world. Because every journey is unique, Mercree relates his own story, as well as the experiences of famous Buddhists throughout history, to help you apply Buddhas principles to your personal path.
Spooky Science: Debunking the Pseudoscience of the Afterlife
by John GrantA hilarious lampoon of scientific inquiry into the psychic.Life after death, spirit communication, the astral plane, reincarnation: on the relatively rare occasions when scientists have tried to apply their methods to the paranormal, they’ve often ended up embarrassed—fooled by obvious charlatans, deluded into making irrational and unsubstantiated claims, or frustrated in their attempt to find something that just isn’t there.John Grant—author of Discarded Science and Corrupted Science—investigates the pseudoscience of spooky stuff to fascinating and humorous effect. From scamming mediums, to poltergeist fakery, to heavenly hallucinations, Grant spares ardent believers and gullible thinkers no mercy in this rollicking history of psychic “phenomena.”
A Little Bit of Chakras: An Introduction to Energy Healing (Little Bit Series #5)
by Chad Mercree Amy Leigh MercreeLearn the history, meaning, and abundant applications of the chakra system in this illustrated beginner’s guide.Chakras began as part of the mystical Vedic tradition of Tantric and Kundalini Yoga, but they have evolved into pathways for healing and exploring the nature of consciousness. If you’ve ever wondered how to work with these amazing energy centers and optimize their benefits, this is the book for you.With gorgeous diagrams and visuals, and an accessible text by two renowned authors, A Little Bit of Chakras takes readers into the heart of the chakra system, exploring its history and revealing how to use each chakra for transformation, well-being, increased vitality, and more.
The Philosophy Book: From the Vedas to the New Atheists, 250 Milestones in the History of Philosophy (Union Square & Co. Milestones)
by Gregory BasshamAn accessible, engaging, and fully illustrated guide to the most profound and influential ideas in the history of philosophy.Philosophy explores the deepest, most fundamental questions of life. This guide presents 250 of the most important theories, events, and seminal publications in the field over the last 3,500 years. The concise yet informative entries cover a range of topics and cultures, from the Hindu Vedas and Plato’s theory of forms to Ockham’s Razor, Pascal’s Wager, Hume’s A Treatise of Human Nature, existentialism, feminism, Philosophical Zombies, and the Triple Theory of Ethics. Beautifully illustrated and filled with unexpected insights, The Philosophy Book is a treasure trove of the world’s wisdom.
Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet's Future
by David GrinspoonFor the first time in Earth's history, our planet is experiencing a confluence of rapidly accelerating changes prompted by one species: humans. Climate change is only the most visible of the modifications we've made--up until this point, inadvertently--to the planet. And our current behavior threatens not only our own future but that of countless other creatures. By comparing Earth's story to those of other planets, astrobiologist David Grinspoon shows what a strange and novel development it is for a species to evolve to build machines, and ultimately, global societies with world-shaping influence. Without minimizing the challenges of the next century, Grinspoon suggests that our present moment is not only one of peril, but also great potential, especially when viewed from a 10,000-year perspective. Our species has surmounted the threat of extinction before, thanks to our innate ingenuity and ability to adapt, and there's every reason to believe we can do so again. Our challenge now is to awaken to our role as a force of planetary change, and to grow into this task. We must become graceful planetary engineers, conscious shapers of our environment and caretakers of Earth's biosphere. This is a perspective that begs us to ask not just what future do we want to avoid, but what do we seek to build? What kind of world do we want? Are humans the worst thing or the best thing to ever happen to our planet? Today we stand at a pivotal juncture, and the answer will depend on the choices we make.
The Great Controversy
by Ellen G. WhiteAs outspoken in his day as Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens are today, American freethinker and author ROBERT GREEN INGERSOLL (1833-1899) was a notorious radical whose uncompromising views on religion and slavery (they were bad, in his opinion), women's suffrage (a good idea, he believed), and other contentious matters of his era made him a wildly popular orator and critic of 19th-century American culture and public life. As a speaker dedicated to expanding intellectual horizons and celebrating the value of skepticism, Ingersoll spoke frequently on such topics as atheism, freedom from the pressures of conformity, and the lives of philosophers who espoused such concepts. This collection of his most famous speeches includes the lectures: [ "The Gods" (1872) [ "Humboldt" (1869) [ "Thomas Paine" (1870) [ "Individuality" (1873) [ "Heretics and Heresies" (1874)
Why I Am Not a Christian: Four Conclusive Reasons to Reject the Faith
by Richard CarrierDr. Richard Carrier, world renowned philosopher and historian, explains the four reasons he does not accept the Christian religion, describing four facts of the world that, had they been different, he would believe. He is brief, clear, and down to earth, covering the whole topic in under ninety pages of easy to-read explanation. Those four reasons are God's silence, God's inaction, the lack of evidence, and the way the universe looks exactly like a godless universe would, and not at all like a Christian universe would, even down to its very structure. Dr. Carrier addresses all the usual replies to these claims, in ways you might not have heard before, relying on his wide experience in debating and studying these issues all over the world for more than fifteen years. A perfect book to introduce yourself, or your friends, to why fewer educated people are embracing Christianity than ever before. Ideal for handing out to door-to-door missionaries.
Aztec Philosophy
by James MaffieIn Aztec Philosophy, James Maffie reveals a highly sophisticated and systematic Aztec philosophy worthy of consideration alongside European philosophies of their time. Bringing together the fields of comparative world philosophy and Mesoamerican studies, Maffie excavates the distinctly philosophical aspects of Aztec thought.Aztec Philosophy focuses on the ways Aztec metaphysics--the Aztecs' understanding of the nature, structure and constitution of reality--underpinned Aztec thinking about wisdom, ethics, politics, and aesthetics, and served as a backdrop for Aztec religious practices as well as everyday activities such as weaving, farming, and warfare. Aztec metaphysicians conceived reality and cosmos as a grand, ongoing process of weaving--theirs was a world in motion. Drawing upon linguistic, ethnohistorical, archaeological, historical, and contemporary ethnographic evidence, Maffie argues that Aztec metaphysics maintained a processive, transformational, and non-hierarchical view of reality, time, and existence along with a pantheistic theology. Aztec Philosophy will be of great interest to Mesoamericanists, philosophers, religionists, folklorists, and Latin Americanists as well as students of indigenous philosophy, religion, and art in the Americas.
Current Issues and Enduring Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking and Argument, with Readings Tenth Edition
by Sylvan Barnet Hugo BedauThis book is a text--a book about reading other people's arguments and writing your own arguments--and it is also an anthology--a collection of more than a hundred selections, ranging from Plato to the present, with a strong emphasis on contemporary arguments and, in this edition, new modes of argument, from documentary film trailers to political speeches to infographics.
Contemporary and Classic Arguments: A Portable Anthology
by Sylvan Barnet Hugo BedauModelling an extensive range of argumentative writing at half the price, the concise Contemporary & Classic Arguments helps you engage with some of today's most pressing topics through a collection of classic essays that provide time-tested models of effective argument.
Women in Canadian Politics, Volume 6: Toward Equity in Representation
by Kathy Megyery"Women are the most under-represented social group in the elected assemblies of the worl. Women everywhere constitute m ore than one-half of the population and … rarely, are more than a handful of the political elite." The studies in this volume examine women’s involvement in political parties both past and present. Empirical studies identify the roles Canadian women play in parties, the opportunities and barriers they face, and their progress toward greater representation in the political process. The questions addressed in this volume include: What are the major barriers to women’s entry into federal politics? (Janine Brodie). Do large numbers of women remain confined to "pink collar" work at the expensive of executive positions? (Sylvia Bashevkin). What is the impact of the candidate selection process on the election of women to the House of Commons? (Lynda Erickson). How does incumbency affect the numbe rof women elected to federal office? (Lisa Young). What is the influence of media coverage on women in politics? (Gertrude Robinson and Armande Saint-Jean). The authors agree that the under-representation of women in politics undermines the democratic credibility of our governing institutions. Nonetheless, they are cautiously optimistic regarding the prospects for the third generation of women entering politics.
On the Land
by Bruce W. Hodgins Kerry A. CannonIt is from the land that the Native peoples of Canada draw their strength.If the people of Quebec claim a right to sovereignty, Inuit of Quebec argue their right of self-determination empowers them with the choice to remain part of Quebec, of Canada or to secede on their own. <p><p> The James Bay Cree consider Hydro Quebec’s "mad plans to engineer and dam the vast ecosystem" where they have lived for centuries an affront to their own right to control their land.The Labrador Innu are struggling with both the federal and provincial governments to protect their traditional hunting territories from threats imposed by military training flights and mineral exploration. <p> All of these are challenges. As the Native peoples of Canada are meeting them, asserting their right to make choices for themselves, they stand steadfastly "on the land" from which flow their inherent rights to self-determination.
Canadian Politics Unplugged
by Eric Nicol Peter WhalleyCanadian politics is/are not well understood, no authority being prepared to say whether it/they is/are singular or plural. Canadian Politics Unplugged bravely breaks new ground in ignoring this question. The book concentrates on the central problem of democracy in a country that is too big to digest without getting gas.Readers are assured that the authors have studied Canadian politics for years, from a safe distance, and enjoy the unique perspective of never having been elected to high office, low office, or any place where wearing shoes is mandatory.Canadian Politics Unplugged is Whalley and Nicol’s fifth successful collaboration.
Poisoned Chalice: How the Tories Self-Destructed
by David MclaughlinPoisoned Chalice chronicles the fateful end of the federal Progressive Conservative government in Ottawa. The Progressive Conservative Party sought to remake itself by choosing the first woman prime minister in Canadian history, but failed to heed the lessons of Meech or Charlottetown. Their strategy nearly worked. By the time the election was called, the Tories were neck and neck with Jean Chrétien’s Liberals. Then it all fell apart. This book, published exactly one year after the event, tells how and why it happened. It gives a day-by-day account of an election campaign seemingly doomed to failure. It covers the strategy, tactics and political machinations that drove the Conservative campaign from the point of view of someone "on the bus." Read the strategy memos given to Kim Campbell. Listen in on her election-night phone call to Jean Chrétien. Relive Kim Campbell’s campaigh from one end of the country to the other. More than just that, Poisoned Chalice asks fundamental questions about how one of the founding political parties of Canada could come to such an ignominious state. Does the Progressive Conservative Party have a future? Has it been overtaken for good by Reform? This book takes the reader back to the seeds of the Tories’ defeat, from the constitutional debate and referendum, to the Conservative leadership race that never was, to Kim Campbell’s shining summer, to the electoral devastation of just two seats.
Our Scandalous Senate
by J. Patrick BoyerAn in-depth breakdown of the recent wave of Canadian Senate scandals, highlighting the need for abolition. The Senate of Canada was created as a temporary expedient at the time of Confederation, offered as part of the negotiations to bring Canada’s original colonial provinces into the new political union in the mid-1860s. Since then, the original provinces with upper houses abolished them. New provinces were created without second chambers to their legislatures. Only the Parliament of Canada remains stuck with its redundant and irrelevant colonial relic, costly to maintain and out of step with the values of a modern democratic country. Today, the Senate of Canada is rocked by ongoing scandal. News of this far-reaching scandal rightly disturbs Canadians, but the real national scandal is the very existence of the Senate itself.