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A Vindication of Love: Reclaiming Romance for the Twenty-First Century
by Cristina Nehring"A fierce and lively book. . . .This is one of those rare books that could make people think about their intimate lives in a new way." — New York Times Book Review “A rousing defense of imprudent ardor and romantic excess. . . . It’s difficult to deny that [Nehring] is on to something.” — Wall Street JournalA thinking person’s “guide” that makes the case for love in an age both cynical about and fearful of strong passion. Bold and challenging, A Vindication of Love has inspired praise and controversy, and brilliantly reinvigorated the romance debate. A perfect choice for readers of Alain de Botton’s How Proust Can Change Your Life and Pierre Bayard’s How to Talk About Books You Haven’t Read.
The Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell
by Aldous HuxleyHalf an hour after swallowing the drug I became aware of a slow dance of golden lights . . . Among the most profound explorations of the effects of mind-expanding drugs ever written, here are two complete classic books--The Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell--in which Aldous Huxley, author of the bestselling Brave New World, reveals the mind's remote frontiers and the unmapped areas of human consciousness. This new edition also features an additional essay, "Drugs That Shape Men's Minds," which is now included for the first time.
The Perennial Philosophy: An Interpretation of the Great Mystics, East and West (P. S. Ser.)
by Aldous HuxleyAn inspired gathering of religious writings that reveals the "divine reality" common to all faiths, collected by Aldous Huxley"The Perennial Philosophy," Aldous Huxley writes, "may be found among the traditional lore of peoples in every region of the world, and in its fully developed forms it has a place in every one of the higher religions." With great wit and stunning intellect--drawing on a diverse array of faiths, including Zen Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Christian mysticism, and Islam--Huxley examines the spiritual beliefs of various religious traditions and explains how they are united by a common human yearning to experience the divine. The Perennial Philosophy includes selections from Meister Eckhart, Rumi, and Lao Tzu, as well as the Bhagavad Gita, Tibetan Book of the Dead, Diamond Sutra, and Upanishads, among many others.
Signature in the Cell
by Stephen C. MeyerOne hundred fifty years ago, Charles Darwin revolutionized biology, but did he refute intelligent design (ID)? In Signature in the Cell, Stephen Meyer argues that he did not. Much confusion surrounds the theory of intelligent design. Frequently misrepresented by the media, politicians, and local school boards, intelligent design can be defended on purely scientific grounds in accordance with the same rigorous methods that apply to every proposed origin-of-life theory. Signature in the Cell is the first book to make a comprehensive case for intelligent design based upon DNA. Meyer embarks on an odyssey of discovery as he investigates current evolutionary theories and the evidence that ultimately led him to affirm intelligent design. Clearly defining what ID is and is not, Meyer shows that the argument for intelligent design is not based on ignorance or "giving up on science," but instead upon our growing scientific knowledge of the information stored in the cell. A leading proponent of intelligent design in the scientific community, Meyer presents a compelling case that will generate heated debate, command attention, and find new adherents from leading scientists around the world.
In Praise of Doubt: How to Have Convictions Without Becoming a Fanatic
by Peter Berger Anton ZijderveldIn Praise of Doubt explores how to survive the political, moral, and religious challenges raised by the extreme poles of relativism and fundamentalism.In this insightful and thought-provoking book, two world-renowned social scientists, Peter L. Berger and Anton C. Zijderveld, ask and answer Big Questions, offering invaluable guidance on how to have convictions without becoming a fanatic.“A book of great practical wisdom by authors who have profound insight into the intellectual dynamics governing contemporary life.” —Dallas Willard, author of Knowing Christ Today“The virus of fanaticism takes several forms. In Praise of Doubt targets two: fundamentalists and relativists. . . . Bracing . . . lay-friendly and seasoned with humor.” —The Boston Globe“The best parts of In Praise of Doubt explore the cultural battlegrounds where a consensus has broken down or not yet coalesced . . . Berger and Zijderveld are optimistic: They believe that moral progress is on the march and that moderation is a virtue everyone can agree on.” —The Wall Street Journal“This is . . . a serious attempt to explain how to find middle ground between conviction—religious and otherwise—and doubt . . . In fact, Berger and Zijderveld argue that doubt—especially as expressed in the idea of a loyal opposition—is at the heart of a democratic system.” —Los Angeles Times“This book addresses, both broadly and individually, how to balance dedication to strong religious and moral beliefs, while simultaneously being objective and discerning. This book grapples, in a thoughtful, entertaining way with these and other meaty philosophical questions.” —Reference & Research Book News
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values (Perennial Classics Ser.)
by Robert M PirsigTHE CLASSIC BOOK THAT HAS INSPIRED MILLIONSA penetrating examination of how we live and how to live betterFew books transform a generation and then establish themselves as touchstones for the generations that follow. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is one such book. This modern epic of a man’s search for meaning became an instant bestseller on publication in 1974, acclaimed as one of the most exciting books in the history of American letters. It continues to inspire millions. A narration of a summer motorcycle trip undertaken by a father and his son, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance becomes a personal and philosophical odyssey into fundamental questions on how to live. The narrator's relationship with his son leads to a powerful self-reckoning; the craft of motorcycle maintenance leads to an austerely beautiful process for reconciling science, religion, and humanism. Resonant with the confusions of existence, this classic is a touching and transcendent book of life.This new edition contains an interview with Pirsig and letters and documents detailing how this extraordinary book came to be.
The Mozart Effect: Tapping the Power of Music to Heal the Body, Strengthen the Mind, and Unlock the Creative Spirit
by Don CampbellAnyone who has ever seen a two-year-old start bouncing to a beat knows that music speaks to us on a very deep level. But it took celebrated teacher and music visionary Don Campbell to show us just how deep, with his landmark book The Mozart Effect.Stimulating, authoritative, and often lyrical, The Mozart Effect has a simple but life-changing message: music is medicine for the body, the mind, and the soul. Campbell shows how modern science has begun to confirm this ancient wisdom, finding evidence that listening to certain types of music can improve the quality of life in almost every respect. Here are dramatic accounts of how music is used to deal with everything from anxiety to cancer, high blood pressure, chronic pain, dyslexia, and even mental illness.Always clear and compelling, Campbell recommends more than two dozen specific, easy-to-follow exercises to raise your spatial IQ, "sound away" pain, boost creativity, and make the spirit sing!
That Bird Has My Wings: The Autobiography of an Innocent Man on Death Row
by Jarvis Jay MastersJarvis Jay Masters has taken an extraordinary journey of faith. Strangely enough, his moment of enlightenment came behind the bars of San Quentin's death row. <p><p>In this compelling memoir, inmate and author Jarvis Jay Masters takes us from the arms of his heroin-addicted mother to an abusive foster home, on his escape to the illusory freedom of the streets and through lonely nights spent in bus stations and juvenile homes, and finally to life inside the walls of San Quentin State Prison. Using the nub and filler from a ballpoint pen (the only writing instrument allowed him in solitary confinement), Masters chronicles the story of a bright boy who turns to a life of crime, and of a penitent man who embraces Buddhism to find hope in this ultimately inspirational story. <p><p> Masters has written his remarkable story as a cautionary tale for anyone who might be tempted to follow in his footsteps, and as a plea for under-standing to a world that too often ignores the plight of the forgotten members of society. His personal story dramatically reminds us all that freedom and opportunity are not to be taken for granted, and that no matter what their neighborhood, no matter what their race, every child matters. <p> <b>New York Times Bestseller</b>
Heresy: A History of Defending the Truth
by Alister E. McGrathIn Heresy, leading religion expert and church historian Alister McGrath reveals the surprising history of heresy and rival forms of Christianity, arguing that the church must continue to defend what is true about Jesus. He explains that remaining faithful to Jesus’s mission and message is still the mandate of the church despite increasingly popular cries that traditional dogma is outdated and restricts individual freedom.
The Harvard Psychedelic Club: How Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, Huston Smith, and Andrew Weil Killed the Fifties and Ushered in a New Age for America
by Don Lattin“[Don Lattin] has created a stimulating and thoroughly engrossing read.” —Dennis McNally, author of A Long Strange Trip: The Inside History of the Grateful Dead, and Desolate Angel: Jack Kerouac, the Beat Generation, and America It is impossible to overstate the cultural significance of the four men described in Don Lattin’s The Harvard Psychedelic Club. Huston Smith, tirelessly working to promote cross-cultural religious and spiritual tolerance. Richard Alpert, a.k.a. Ram Dass, inspiring generations with his mantra, “be here now.” Andrew Weil, undisputed leader of the holistic medicine revolution. And, of course, Timothy Leary, the charismatic, rebellious counter-culture icon and LSD guru. Journalist Don Lattin provides the funny, moving inside story of the “Cambridge Quartet,” who crossed paths with the infamous Harvard Psilocybin Project in the early 60’s, and went on to pioneer the Mind/Body/Spirit movement that would popularize yoga, vegetarianism, and Eastern mysticism in the Western world.
The Secret of the Soul: Using Out-of-Body Experiences to Understand Our True Nature
by William BuhlmanIn this remarkable book, William Buhlman, author of the bestselling Adventures Beyond the Body, offers the reader a comprehensive guidebook to understanding and exploring the fascinating phenomenon of out-of-body experiences (OBEs). Learn how you can:Explore your true spiritual self and attain profound transformation in your awareness and knowledge of the universe.Gain life-changing benefits as you break free from mental and physical limitationsContact departed loved ones using OBEs to move beyond the current limited understanding of death.Filled with engrossing stories based on the testimonies of people from all over the world, and offering forty new, easy-to-understand techniques, The Secret of the Soul will prepare human beings everywhere for the next major leap in the evolution of consciousness.
How Good People Make Tough Choices Rev Ed: Resolving the Dilemmas of Ethical Living
by Rushworth M. KidderShould you take a much-needed vacation or save money for the kids' education? Protect the endangered owl or maintain jobs for loggers? Have a heart-to-heart with a lying employee or fire him on the spot?All of us face ethical choices. Sometimes they're easy: One side is wrong and the other is right. But how do we handle the really tough "right vs. right" dilemmas, where each side has strong moral arguments and we can't do both? This book helps us build Ethical Fitness®--a values-based decision-making process so definitive that it's now a registered trade mark.Rushworth M. Kidder, founder of the Institute for Global Ethics, teaches us how to think for ourselves in order to resolve ethical dilemmas ranging from the intimately personal to the broadly philosophical. Unique in its approach and rich with illustrative anecdotes--updated with examples of real-world conflicts from today's political realm and from Dr. Kidder's own observations--How Good People Make Tough Choices is an indispensable resource for spotting, understanding, and resolving our toughest decisions.
The Science of Liberty: Democracy, Reason, and the Laws of Nature
by Timothy Ferris“Ferris is a master analogist who conveys his insights on the history of cosmology with a lyrical flair.” —The New York Times Book ReviewIn The Science of Liberty, award-winning author Timothy Ferris—called “the best popular science writer in the English language today” by the Christian Science Monitor and “the best science writer of his generation” by the Washington Post—makes a passionate case for science as the inspiration behind the rise of liberalism and democracy. In the grand tradition of such luminaries of the field as Bill Bryson, Richard Dawkins, and Oliver Sacks—as well as his own The Whole Shebang and Coming of Age in the Milky Way—Ferris has written a brilliant chronicle of how science sparked the spread of liberal democracy and transformed today’s world.
Nothing Special: Living Zen
by Charlotte Joko Beck Steve SmithThe Zen master and author of Everyday Zen shares the simple, essential wisdom of embracing the ordinary in life.Zen is life itself, nothing added. But for many of us, pursuing a spiritual path involves fantasies about our future lives—fantasies that separate us from ourselves and leave us anxious to achieve a resolution that is constantly receding just past the horizon of reality. In Nothing Special, Charlotte Joko Beck reveals how living in the knowledge that “things are always just as they are” is not the counsel of despair but an invitation to joy.Author of the Zen classic, Everyday Zen, Charlotte Joko Beck now shows readers how to awaken to daily life and discover the ideal in the everyday, finding riches in our feelings, relationships, and work. Nothing Special offers the rare and delightful experience of learning in the authentic Buddhist tradition with a wonderfully contemporary Western master.
You Are Here: A Portable History of the Universe
by Christopher Potter“A personal, brilliant, and often amusing account” of the universe and our place in it, and “an idiosyncratic, encyclopedic blitzkrieg of a book” (The Boston Globe).Here is the life of the universe, from quarks to galaxy superclusters and from slime to Homo sapiens. The universe was once a moment of perfect symmetry and is now 13.7 billion years of history. Clouds of gas were woven into whatever complexity we find in the universe today: the hierarchies of stars or the brains of mammals. Christopher Potter writes entertainingly about the history and philosophy of science, and he shows that science advances by continually removing humankind from a position of primacy in the universe, but the universe responds by placing us back there again. You Are Here is a dazzling exploration of the universe and our relationship to it, as seen through the lens of today’s most cutting-edge scientific thinking.“As close to poetry or music as science is ever likely to get. Christopher Potter’s narrative is as imaginative, ingenious, and elegantly concise as it is user-friendly.” —Sylvia Nasar, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of A Beautiful Mind“[A] clear and smoothly written look at the mind-boggling history of everything.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Consistently readable . . . he makes his subject clear without dumbing it down. This is one of the best short surveys of science and its history in recent years.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“A wonderful, miraculous book: the whole universe bottled for your delight.” —Stephen Fry, author of Mythos
The Snow Lion's Turquoise Mane: Wisdom Tales from Tibet
by Surya DasTales of enlightenment that stem from the centuries-old oral Tibetan tradition, collected by one of the foremost American Buddhist teachers and scholars.Introduction by His Holiness the Dalai LamaThis remarkable book brings together more than 150 authentic Buddhist teaching tales from the Hidden Kingdom of Tibet—most never before translated into English. These captivating stories, legends and yarns—passed orally from teacher to student—capture the vibrant wisdom of an ancient and still-living oral tradition. Magical, whimsical, witty and ribald, The Snow Lion’s Turquoise Mane unfolds a luminous vision of a universe where basic goodness, harmony, and hope prevail.“This collection of more than 150 stories is the only such large anthology in the field of either Tibetan Buddhism or Himalayan folk and fairy tales, and provides unique reading material for both adults and children.” —Mu Soeng Sunim, Tricycle: The Buddhist Review“These wonderful stories of wandering yogis and yak herders echo with uncommon sense and deep wisdom.” —Rick Fields, author of How the Swans Came to the Lake
What Obama Means: . . . For Our Culture, Our Politics, Our Future
by Jabari Asim“Provocative and compelling.” —New York Newsday“Both entertaining and insightful.”—Washington Post Book World“It should be on the required reading list.” —Chicago Sun-TimesWhat Obama Means by Jabari Asim, renowned cultural critic and author of The N Word, is a timely and sharp analysis of how the “Obama phenomenon” exhibits progress in American politics and society. A frequent guest and commentator on “The Colbert Report,” “The Today Show,” NPR’s “Diane Rehm Show” and many other media programs, Asim also examines how cultural and political forces led to the watershed 2008 presidential election while indicating what the election means for every American.
Zen 24/7: All Zen, All the Time
by Philip Toshio Sudo“Those who say they have no time for meditation will relish this humorous but perceptive book.” —Publishers WeeklyEnlightenment is within reach—twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.If you're searching for revelation and contentment, look no further than a handshake, a cup of coffee—even your laundry pile. The most mundane details of life contain zen's profound truths, if you're of the mind to look for them.By awakening to and embracing the zen in your life, you'll listen, watch, eat, work, laugh, sleep, and breathe your way to truth—every moment of every day.“With an ease that comes from spiritual maturity, Sudo delivers one marvel after another in this astute reading of zen truths residing in work, exercise, eating, laughter, and sleep . . . Sudo makes the spiritual practices of attention, being present, gratitude, and wonder come to life on these pages. You'll never be the same after reading Zen 24/seven.” —Spirituality & Practice“Sudo explains how to turn the most ho-hum activities into opportunities for transcendence.” —Fitness magazine
Warped Passages: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Universe's Hidden Dimensions
by Lisa RandallThe universe has many secrets. It may hide additional dimensions of space other than the familier three we recognize. There might even be another universe adjacent to ours, invisible and unattainable . . . for now.Warped Passages is a brilliantly readable and altogether exhilarating journey that tracks the arc of discovery from early twentieth-century physics to the razor's edge of modern scientific theory. One of the world's leading theoretical physicists, Lisa Randall provides astonishing scientific possibilities that, until recently, were restricted to the realm of science fiction. Unraveling the twisted threads of the most current debates on relativity, quantum mechanics, and gravity, she explores some of the most fundamental questions posed by Nature—taking us into the warped, hidden dimensions underpinning the universe we live in, demystifying the science of the myriad worlds that may exist just beyond our own.
Why Faith Matters
by David J. WolpeWith the simultaneous rise of New Atheism and popularity of fundamentalist movements, a rational, open-minded debate on the role of religion today is sorely needed. Why Faith Matters is an excellent start – an articulate, nondenominational defense of established religion in America by the man Newsweek named the #1 Pulpit Rabbi in America. David J. Wolpe makes a strong case in favor of faith, replacing both the cold reason of atheism and the virulent hatred of fanaticism with a vision of religion that is informed by faith, love, and understanding. He explores the origins and nature of faith, the role of the Bible in modern life, and the compatibility of God and science. Why Faith Matters shows that there is still a place for God, faith, and religion in today’s world. Named the #1 Pulpit Rabbi in America by Newsweek, David J. Wolpe is a senior rabbi at the Sinai Temple of Los Angeles and a teacher at UCLA. Rabbi Wolpe writes for many publications, including New York Jewish Week, Jerusalem Post, Los Angeles Times, and Beliefnet.com. He has appeared as a commentator on CNN and “CBS This Morning”, and has been featured on the History Channel’s “Mysteries of the Bible.” He is the author of six previous books, including the national bestseller Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times. Rabbi Wolpe lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter. “A reasoned argument and spiritual autobiography. Rabbi Wolpe is a graceful writer, an insightful thinker, and a wide reader.” – Jewish Week
The Secret Currency of Love: The Unabashed Truth About Women, Money, and Relationships
by Hilary Black“Sex & The City meets The Wall Street Journal....Juicy, smart, dramatic and insightful—an addictive read.”—Beth Kobliner, author of Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and ThirtiesIn The Secret Currency of Love, edited by Hilary Black, acclaimed, bestselling, and award-winning women writers explore the fraught and powerful connections between love and money. As featured on the "Today Show"--with contributions by Karen Karbo, Kathryn Harrison, Lori Gottlieb, Julia Glass, Rebecca Traister, Dani Shapiro, Amy Sohn, and others--The Secret Currency of Love takes an unabashed look at relationships through the often-distorting lens of finance. As Elle magazine informs us, “All the bases are covered here, from the hard lessons women learn (and impart) to the inextricability of romance and cold hard cash.”
The Soul of a Leader
by Waller R. NewellWhat are we looking for in a leader? Has the meaning of leadership changed? Can history provide guidance for the leaders of a rising generation? What defines the soul of a leader? In The Soul of a Leader, political scientist and cultural commentator Waller R. Newell offers a fascinating perspective on the role of leadership in American life today. From the birth of democracy in Periclean Athens to the Founding Fathers' view of statesmanship, from the experiences of Abraham Lincoln to those of modern presidents, this far-reaching and provocative new book explores the many and diverse elements of good statesmanhip, including the timeless qualities all good leaders share. As Newell plumbs the depths of history, he illuminates the moral, psychological, and intellectual resources we inherit from the traditions of the West--traditions steeped in the experience and reflection on statecraft from ancient times onward--and offers a compass for the challenges America's next generation of leaders will face. In this engaging blend of character portraiture, historical perspective, and contemporary political insight, Newell proposes a bold new perspective on the evolution of the modern American presidency, from Franklin Roosevelt to George W. Bush. He steps back in time to evaluate the clashing models of Lincoln and Robert E. Lee, as they captured the struggle for the soul of the American Republic. And, in an essay of masterful historical reach, he contemplates the roots of modern leadership in the story of what he calls "the West's first superpower conflict"--the epic battle between Athens and Sparta, with its echoes of both Vietnam and Iraq. Finally, he draws from these stories ten lessons in political greatness--lessons the next American president will be wise to heed.
Why We Need Love
by Simon Van BooyVital insights and wisdom on the perennial question of why we need love This book explores how some of the greatest minds of civilization have tackled a question that continues to play a vital part in our lives today. In Why We Need Love, Simon Van Booy curates an enlightening collection of excerpts, passages, and paintings, presenting works by Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare, John Donne, William Blake, George Eliot, Emily Dickinson, O. Henry, W. B. Yeats, James Joyce, E. E. Cummings, AnaÏs Nin, Marc Chagall, J. Krishnamurti, and others. Why We Need Love will engage both the serious philosopher and the eternally curious.
Why We Need Love
by Simon Van BooyVital insights and wisdom on the perennial question of why we need loveThis book explores how some of the greatest minds of civilization have tackled a question that continues to play a vital part in our lives today. In Why We Need Love, Simon Van Booy curates an enlightening collection of excerpts, passages, and paintings, presenting works by Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare, John Donne, William Blake, George Eliot, Emily Dickinson, O. Henry, W. B. Yeats, James Joyce, E. E. Cummings, Anaïs Nin, Marc Chagall, J. Krishnamurti, and others.Why We Need Love will engage both the serious philosopher and the eternally curious.
Passionate Declarations: Essays on War and Justice
by Howard ZinnFrom the bestselling author of A People's History of the United States comes this selection of passionate, honest, and piercing essays looking at American political ideology. Howard Zinn brings to Passionate Declarations the same astringent style and provocative point of view that led more than a million people to buy his book A People's History of the United States. He directs his critique here to what he calls "American orthodoxies" -- that set of beliefs guardians of our culture consider sacrosanct: justifications for war, cynicism about human nature and violence, pride in our economic system, certainty of our freedom of speech, romanticization of representative government, confidence in our system of justice. Those orthodoxies, he believes, have a chilling effect on our capacity to think independently and to become active citizens in the long struggle for peace and justice.