The Power of Myth launched an extraordinary resurgence of interest in Joseph Campbell and his work. A preeminent scholar, writer, and teacher, he has had a profound influence on millions of people—including Star Wars creator George Lucas. To Campbell, mythology was the “song of the universe, the music of the spheres.” With Bill Moyers, one of America’s most prominent journalists, as his thoughtful and engaging interviewer, The Power of Myth touches on subjects from modern marriage to virgin births, from Jesus to John Lennon, offering a brilliant combination of intelligence and wit.

From stories of the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece and Rome to traditions of Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity, a broad array of themes are considered that together identify the universality of human experience across time and culture. An impeccable match of interviewer and subject, a timeless distillation of Campbell’s work, The Power of Myth continues to exert a profound influence on our culture.

A Thousand Plateaus is a fascinating exploration of capitalism and schizophrenia by renowned philosopher Gilles Deleuze and psychoanalyst Felix Guattari. This work is part of their landmark philosophical project, Capitalism and Schizophrenia, which continues to influence contemporary philosophical debates.

The book offers a compelling analysis of social phenomena, providing fresh alternatives for thinking about philosophy and culture. Its radical perspective acts as a toolbox for nomadic thought, making it a significant influence on today's anti-capitalist movement.

Translated by Brian Massumi, this book challenges accepted norms of morality, language, and politics, suggesting an open system of psychological exploration that cuts through conventional boundaries.

Broad humor and bitter irony collide in this fictional autobiography of Rabo Karabekian, who, at age seventy-one, wants to be left alone on his Long Island estate with the secret he has locked inside his potato barn. But then, a voluptuous young widow badgers Rabo into telling his life story—and Vonnegut in turn tells us the plain, heart-hammering truth about man’s careless fancy to create or destroy what he loves.

Wendell Berry, a longtime spokesman for conservation, common sense, and sustainable agriculture, writes eloquently in several styles and methods. Among other literary forms, he is a poet of great clarity and sureness. His love of language and his care for its music are matched only by his fidelity to the subjects he has written of during his first twenty-five years of work: land and nature, the family and community, tradition as the groundwork for life and culture.

His graceful elegies sit easily alongside lyrics of humor and biting satire. Husbandman and husband, philosopher and Mad Farmer, he writes of values that endure, of earthy truths and universal imagery. His vision is one of hope and memory, of determination and faithfulness.

For this far-reaching yet portable volume, Berry has chosen nearly two hundred poems from his previous eight collections.

The Brothers Karamazov is a profound and multifaceted novel that delves into the depths of human psychology and the complexities of ethical and moral dilemmas. Set in 19th century Russia, this literary masterpiece presents a captivating narrative that intertwines a murder mystery and a courtroom drama with an exploration of erotic rivalry within a family dynamic.

The story unfolds around the Karamazov family, particularly the patriarch Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov and his three diverse sons: Dmitri, the impulsive and sensual eldest; Ivan, the intellectual and rational middle child; and Alyosha, the youngest son, who is a wholesome and red-cheeked novice. Through their personal struggles and relationships, the novel addresses profound questions about God, free will, and morality, against the backdrop of a Russia that is facing modernization and social change.

Renowned for its rich character development and philosophical depth, The Brothers Karamazov encapsulates the social and spiritual striving of Russian culture during a pivotal era. It remains a testament to Dostoyevsky's legacy as one of the greatest novelists in history.

Novel with Cocaine delves into the depths of an adolescent's cocaine addiction, presenting a Dostoevskian psychological novel of ideas. It explores the complex interplay between psychology, philosophy, and ideology through the story of Vadim, who, after formative experiences at school and with women, succumbs to drug abuse and the philosophical reflections it provokes.

Though the narrative makes little direct reference to the Revolution, it's set against a backdrop where the obsession with addictive forms of thinking resonates with the historical context. The novel critically examines how "our inborn feelings of humanity and justice" can lead to "the cruelties and satanic transgressions committed in its name."

This collection of essays was the last work planned by Ayn Rand before her death in 1982. In it, she summarizes her view of philosophy and deals with a broad spectrum of topics.

According to Ayn Rand, the choice we make is not whether to have a philosophy, but which one to have: rational, conscious, and therefore practical; or contradictory, unidentified, and ultimately lethal.

Written with all the clarity and eloquence that have placed Ayn Rand's Objectivist philosophy in the mainstream of American thought, these essays range over such basic issues as education, morality, censorship, and inflation to prove that philosophy is the fundamental force in all our lives.

After he firewalked in Polynesia, the world wasn't the same for Alexander Hergensheimer, now called Alec Graham. As natural accidents occurred without cease, Alex knew Armageddon and the Day of Judgement were near. Somehow he had to bring his beloved heathen, Margrethe, to a state of grace, and, while he was at it, save the rest of the world...

بين طيات هذا الكتاب سلسلة خطابات ألقاها الدكتور علي شريعتي في قاعة "حسينية الإرشاد" بطهران سجلت على أشرطة، ثم نقلت كتابة على الورق، بدون تغيير أو تطويل أو تقصير أو تقديم أو تأخير، فجمعت دفتي كتاب سمي النباهة الاستحمار.

وفي هذا الكتاب يقول الدكتور علي شريعتي: إنه لمن سوء الحظ أن لا ندرك ما يراد بنا، فيصرفوننا عما ينبغي أن نفكر فيه من مصير مجتمعنا أو أفكر فيه أنا من مصيري كإنسان، إلى أن نفكر في أشياء نحسبها راقية جداً وعظيمة ومشرِّفة، فيصيبون الهدف دون أن نشعر!

ومن أجل هذا قلت في مكان آخر: "إذا لم تكن حاضر الذهن في "الموقف" فكن أينما أردت، المهم أنك لم تحضر الموقف، فكن أينما شئت: واقفاً للصلاة أم جالساً للخمرة، كلاهما واحد".

إن المستعمرين لا يدعونك لما تستاء منه دائماً، فيثيرون انزجارك فتنفر منهم الى المكان الذي ينبغي أن تصير اليه! بل يختارون دعوتك حسب حاجتهم، فيدعونك احياناً الى ما تعتقده أمراً طيباً من أجل القضاء على حق كبير، حق مجتمع أو إنسان، وأحياناً تدعى لتنشغل في حق آخر، فيقضون هم على حق آخر هو أولى.

عندما يشب حريق في بيتك، ويدعوك أحدهم للصلاة والتضرع الى الله، ينبغي عليك ان تعلم أنها دعوة خائن، فكيف الى عمل آخر؟ فالأهتمام بغير إطفاء الحريق، والإنصراف عنه الى عمل آخر، ما هو الا استحمار، وإن كان عملاً مقدساً أو غير مقدس.

Narcissus and Goldmund is the story of a passionate yet uneasy friendship between two men of opposite character. Narcissus, an ascetic instructor at a cloister school, has devoted himself solely to scholarly and spiritual pursuits. One of his students is the sensual, restless Goldmund, who is immediately drawn to his teacher's fierce intellect and sense of discipline. When Narcissus persuades the young student that he is not meant for a life of self-denial, Goldmund sets off in pursuit of aesthetic and physical pleasures, a path that leads him to a final, unexpected reunion with Narcissus.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being is a profound narrative that explores the story of a young woman deeply in love with a man who is caught in a battle between his love for her and his incorrigible womanizing habits. Another strand of the story involves one of his mistresses and her modestly faithful lover. This compelling novel skillfully weaves together geographically distant locales, ingenious and playful musings, and a diverse array of styles, asserting its place as a significant accomplishment by one of the world's truly exceptional writers.

Essays and Lectures by Ralph Waldo Emerson covers the most productive period of his life, 1832–1860. Emerson, known as America's eloquent champion of individualism, acknowledges the countervailing pressures of society in American life. As he extols what he called “the great and crescive self,” he also dramatizes and records its vicissitudes.

This volume includes indispensable and renowned works such as “The American Scholar” - our intellectual Declaration of Independence, “The Divinity School Address”, considered atheistic by many of his listeners, and the summons to “Self-Reliance”. More embattled realizations appear in “Circles” and “Experience”. Emerson also offers wide-ranging portraits of Montaigne, Shakespeare, and other “representative men,” along with astute observations on the habits, lives, and prospects of the English and American people.

This collection includes Nature; Addresses, and Lectures (1849), Essays: First Series (1841), and Essays: Second Series (1844), plus Representative Men (1850), English Traits (1856), and The Conduct of Life (1860). These works established Emerson’s colossal reputation in America and earned him admirers abroad, including Carlyle, Nietzsche, and Proust.

Emerson’s enduring power is felt throughout American literature: in those like Whitman and major twentieth-century poets who seek to corroborate his vision, and among those like Hawthorne and Melville who questioned, qualified, and struggled with it. His vision reverberates in American philosophy, notably in the writings of William James and John Dewey, and in the works of his European admirers.

Follow the exhilarating, exploratory movements of Emerson's mind in this comprehensive gathering of his work. This volume is not merely another selection of essays; it includes all his major books, conveying the exhilaration and exploratory energy of perhaps America's greatest writer.

The Wisdom of Pooh. Is there such thing as a Western Taoist? Benjamin Hoff says there is, and this Taoist's favorite food is honey. Through brilliant and witty dialogue with the beloved Pooh-bear and his companions, the author of this smash bestseller explains with ease and aplomb that rather than being a distant and mysterious concept, Taoism is as near and practical to us as our morning breakfast bowl. Romp through the enchanting world of Winnie-the-Pooh while soaking up invaluable lessons on simplicity and natural living.

The Varieties of Religious Experience is a profound exploration into the psychology of religion by renowned philosopher William James. This work delves into the heart of religious life, not through the lens of organized religion, but through the individual experiences that shape our understanding of the divine.

James presents a pluralistic view, suggesting that religious experiences are the essence of spiritual life. He examines concepts such as conversion, repentance, mysticism, and the human hopes and fears regarding the afterlife. Through a series of engaging lectures, he analyzes the religious experiences of notable figures such as Voltaire, Emerson, Luther, and Tolstoy.

With his characteristic humor and insightful analysis, James challenges readers to question established norms and explore the depths of their own spiritual beliefs. This book remains a cornerstone in the study of the psychology of religion and continues to inspire thoughtful reflection on faith and spirituality.

Remembrance of Things Past: Volume II delves into the intricate tapestry of Belle Epoque France, unfolding through the profound reflections of its narrator. This volume encompasses The Guermantes Way and Cities of the Plain, capturing the essence of art, time, and memory.

As the narrator grows up, falls in love, and experiences the tumultuous events of the First World War, the narrative mesmerizes readers with its intricate portrayal of human emotions and societal norms. The translation by C. K. Scott Moncrieff, later revised by Terence Kilmartin, has been celebrated for capturing the essence of Proust's monumental work.

This literary masterpiece invites readers into a world where personal experiences are intertwined with historical events, offering a unique perspective on the passage of time and the power of memory.

Summa Theologica is a monumental work by St. Thomas Aquinas that aims to summarize all human knowledge. Although such an undertaking might seem ambitious even today, this classic masterpiece remains a cornerstone in philosophical and theological literature.

Through its comprehensive examination of enduring questions, Aquinas provides timeless insights into the nature of existence, ethics, and the divine. His work continues to inspire and challenge readers, encouraging them to engage with fundamental questions that have persisted through the centuries.

This collection, spanning five volumes, delves deep into the complexities of faith and reason, offering readers a chance to explore the intricacies of medieval thought and its relevance today.

The 5000 Year Leap: A Miracle That Changed the World is a profound exploration of the principles that have shaped the United States and brought about unparalleled progress in the last 200 years. This book delves into the 28 Principles of Freedom that the Founding Fathers deemed essential for peace, prosperity, and freedom.

Among these principles are The Genius of Natural Law, Virtuous and Moral Leaders, Equal Rights—Not Equal Things, and the importance of Avoiding the Burden of Debt. These principles are not just historical artifacts but are presented as timeless truths that remain relevant in today's political, economic, social, and spiritual landscape.

This work is more than a historical account; it is a call to action for those who seek to understand and implement the foundational beliefs that have guided the nation to greatness. The insights provided in this book are designed to inspire and educate, offering a pathway to understanding the miracle of American democracy.

كتاب «الإسلام بين الشرق والغرب»، هو نتيجة لدراسة واسعة متعددة الجوانب لأبرز الأفكار العالمية في تاريخ البشرية المعاصر. إن ظاهرة نسيان الذات التي تميز بها التاريخ الحديث للعالم الإسلامي، تضع المفكر الشرقي والغربي على السواء في موقف مماثل من هذا الكتاب.

فمن خلال الدراسة المقارنة للمقدمات الأساسية والنتائج المترتبة عليها في المجالات الاجتماعية والقانونية والسياسية والثقافية والنفسية، وغيرها من المجالات للأيديولوجيتين اللتين حددتا أقدار الجنس البشري على مدى القرون الأخيرة. من خلال هذه الدراسة يكشف لنا المؤلف عن أعراض المشهد المأساوي المتزايد للتنصير والإلحاد في هذا العالم.

فالمسيحية كمثال لظاهرة دينية حضارية ـ أعني دينًا بمعناه الغربي معزولاً عن قانون الوحي ـ هي فكرة شاملة للإبداع والحضارة والفن والأخلاق، وبهذا حلقت المسيحية في روحانية التاريخ. أما الإلحاد الذي يستند إلى مدخل مادي ـ الاشتراكية منظوره العملي والتاريخي ـ هذا الإلحاد هو العامل المشترك للعناصر التطورية والحضارية والسياسية والطوباوية التي تُعنى بالطبيعة المادية للإنسان وتاريخه.

الشيطان يعظ هي مجموعة قصصية رائعة من تأليف الكاتب الكبير نجيب محفوظ, الذي حصل على جائزة نوبل في الأدب. هذه المجموعة تقدم لنا قصصًا مثيرة ومشوقة، تبحر في أعماق النفس البشرية وتتناول موضوعات الخير والشر، الفضيلة والرذيلة.

يستخدم محفوظ أسلوبه الفريد في السرد ليقدم لنا صورًا حية وواقعية من المجتمع المصري، ويطرح أسئلة فلسفية عميقة حول الحياة والمصير. هذه القصص ليست مجرد حكايات، بل هي دعوة للتفكير والتأمل في جوهر الوجود الإنساني.

For centuries, people have been tormented by one question above all: If God is good and all-powerful, why does he allow his creatures to suffer pain? And what of the suffering of animals, who neither deserve pain nor can be improved by it?

The greatest Christian thinker of our time sets out to disentangle this knotty issue. With his signature wealth of compassion and insight, C. S. Lewis offers answers to these crucial questions and shares his hope and wisdom to help heal a world hungry for a true understanding of human nature.

In Praise of Shadows is an essay on aesthetics by the renowned Japanese novelist, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki. This book explores various elements of Japanese culture, such as architecture, jade, food, and even toilets, combining an acute sense of the use of space in buildings.

The book includes perfect descriptions of lacquerware under candlelight and the mysterious allure of women in the darkness of the house of pleasure. Tanizaki contrasts the subtlety and nuance of traditional Japanese interiors with the dazzling light of the modern age, offering a classic description of the collision between these two worlds.

The Philosophy of Andy Warhol is a loosely formed autobiography by the enigmatic Andy Warhol. Told with his trademark blend of irony and detachment, this compelling memoir offers riffs and reflections on various aspects of life.

Warhol shares his thoughts on love, sex, food, beauty, fame, work, money, and success. He also delves into his experiences in New York, America, and his childhood in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. The narrative captures his good times and bad in New York, the explosion of his career in the sixties, and his life among celebrities.

Discover the world of Andy Warhol through his own words, as he invites readers to experience his unique perspective on life and art.

To Have Or to Be? is a seminal work from the second half of the 20th century. It serves as a manifesto for a new social and psychological revolution aimed at saving our threatened planet. This book encapsulates the penetrating thought of Erich Fromm.

Fromm's thesis explores two modes of existence that battle for the spirit of humankind: the having mode, which focuses on material possessions, power, and aggression, forming the foundation of universal evils like greed, envy, and violence; and the being mode, which is rooted in love, the pleasure of sharing, and productive activity.

This book is a brilliant program for socioeconomic change, urging readers to reflect on their own lives and society.

De Profundis and Other Writings is a profound collection of works by the renowned Oscar Wilde. This collection showcases Wilde's humorous and epigrammatic genius that once captivated the London theatre. Through his writing, Wilde casts light from unexpected angles, thus widening the bounds of truth.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values is both a personal and philosophical odyssey that delves into life's essential questions. This transformative narrative follows a father and his young son during an unforgettable summer motorcycle trip across America's Northwest.

The journey becomes a profound exploration of relationships, values, and ultimately, enlightenment. As they travel, the story delves into a meditation on how to live a better life, resonant with the myriad confusions and wonders of existence. It is a compelling examination of how we live and a breathtaking meditation on how to live better.

Robert M. Pirsig's work has become a modern classic, touching the hearts of millions and inspiring readers to ponder the nature of quality in a world that often seems indifferent to it. This modern epic was an instant bestseller upon its original publication and continues to inspire new generations.

An exhilarating meditation on nature and its seasons—a personal narrative highlighting one year's exploration on foot in the author's own neighborhood in Tinker Creek, Virginia. In the summer, Dillard stalks muskrats in the creek and contemplates wave mechanics; in the fall she watches a monarch butterfly migration and dreams of Arctic caribou. She tries to con a coot; she collects pond water and examines it under a microscope. She unties a snake skin, witnesses a flood, and plays 'King of the Meadow' with a field of grasshoppers.

Shevek, a brilliant physicist, decides to take action. He will seek answers, question the unquestionable, and attempt to tear down the walls of hatred that have isolated his planet of anarchists from the rest of the civilized universe. To do this dangerous task will mean giving up his family and possibly his life.

Shevek must make the unprecedented journey to the utopian mother planet, Urras, to challenge the complex structures of life and living, and ignite the fires of change. The Dispossessed is a penetrating examination of society and humanity—and one man's brave undertaking to question the unquestionable and ignite the fires of change.

Listen, Little Man! is a great physician's quiet talk to each one of us, the average human being, the Little Man. Written in 1946 in answer to the gossip and defamation that plagued his remarkable career, it tells how Reich watched, at first naively, then with amazement, and finally with horror, at what the Little Man does to himself; how he suffers and rebels; how he esteems his enemies and murders his friends; how, wherever he gains power as a representative of the people, he misuses this power and makes it crueler than the power it has supplanted.

Reich asks us to look honestly at ourselves and to assume responsibility for our lives and for the great untapped potential that lies in the depth of human nature.

This collection of the timeless teachings of one of the greatest sages of India, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, is a testament to the uniqueness of the seer's life and work and is regarded by many as a modern spiritual classic. I Am That preserves Maharaj's dialogues with the followers who came from around the world seeking his guidance in destroying false identities. The sage's sole concern was with human suffering and the ending of suffering. It was his mission to guide the individual to an understanding of his true nature and the timelessness of being. He taught that mind must recognize and penetrate its own state of being, not "being this or that, here or that, then or now," but just timeless being.

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas is a thought-provoking short story that poses a powerful ethical question. It explores the concept of a seemingly utopian city, Omelas, where the prosperity and happiness of its citizens are contingent upon the perpetual misery of a single child. The narrative delves into the moral implications of this arrangement and the reaction of the citizens when confronted with the reality of the child's suffering.

Ursula K. Le Guin's masterful storytelling invites readers to ponder the sacrifices made for the greater good and the individual's role in confronting injustices. The tale's enduring relevance and its challenge to societal norms make it a compelling read that continues to inspire philosophical debate and reflection.

Originally published in 1925, The Counterfeiters became known for the frank sexuality of its contents and its account of middle class French morality. The themes of the book explore the problem of morals, the problem of society, and the problems facing writers.

An appendix to this edition contains excerpts from Gide's notebooks, providing deeper insight into the creative process behind this remarkable novel.

Citadelle is a profound exploration of the human spirit. "I have pity for the one who awakens in the great patriarchal night, believing himself sheltered under the stars of God, and who suddenly feels the journey."

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry delves into the creative power of man, asking not the value of his laws, but the depth of his imaginative capacity. "If you wish to understand the word happiness, you must hear it as a reward and not as a goal."

The narrative is a silent audience of love. Despite the solitude that seems insurmountable, "A stone has no hope of being anything other than a stone. But through collaboration, it becomes a temple."

Citadelle is a testament to the enduring temple built within the human heart.

Qu'une vieille mule comme Amédée Fleurissoire rencontre des escrocs, et le voilà en route pour Rome, persuadé d'aller sauver le pape. À ce jeu de dupes, il n'a pas grand chose à perdre sinon quelques illusions et beaucoup d'argent.

Qu'un jeune arriviste comme Lafcadio décide de se faire passer pour le fils naturel d'un grand auteur et le voilà maître à chanter. À ce jeu de dupes, il a tout à gagner. Mais que ces deux destins se croisent à bord d'un vieux train et tout bascule : que se passerait-il si Lafcadio poussait cet inconnu hors du train, comme ça, gratuitement, un crime pour rien ?

Ça n'aurait aucun sens, mais c'est justement pour ça que ce serait grisant : la liberté dans l'acte gratuit... Les mécanismes de la pensée, les rouages de la décision, la teneur de notre liberté : autant d'aspects de la nature humaine qui fascinent Gide, et qu'il traque dans toute son oeuvre, flirtant avec les frontières de l'absurde, non sans humour, mais toujours avec style et raffinement.

The Four Loves summarizes four kinds of human love: affection, friendship, erotic love, and the love of God. Masterful without being magisterial, this book offers wise, gentle, candid reflections on the virtues and dangers of love, drawing on sources from Jane Austen to St. Augustine.

The chapter on charity (love of God) may be the best thing Lewis ever wrote about Christianity. Consider his reflection on Augustine's teaching that one must love only God, because only God is eternal, and all earthly love will someday pass away. He questions, "Who could conceivably begin to love God on such a prudential ground—because the security (so to speak) is better?"

His description of Christianity here is no less forceful and opinionated than in Mere Christianity or The Problem of Pain, but it is far less anxious about its reader's response—and therefore more persuasive than any of his apologetics. When he begins to describe the nature of faith, Lewis writes: "Take it as one man's reverie, almost one man's myth. If anything in it is useful to you, use it; if anything is not, never give it a second thought."

God and the State is a profound exploration of the intersection between religion, politics, and philosophy by the charismatic and dynamic thinker, Mikhail Bakunin. Known for his violent, ebullient, and energetic personality, Bakunin was a central figure in the formation of 19th and early 20th-century anarchism.

Although God and the State was never completed, it remains a significant work in the anarchist canon, offering a clear statement of the anarchist philosophy of history. According to Bakunin, religion inherently leads to the impoverishment, enslavement, and annihilation of humanity.

This book is not just a critique but a call to question the structures of power and belief that shape society, making it a timeless piece in radical and revolutionary thought.

The Satanic Bible was first published by Anton LaVey in 1969. It is a collection of essays, observations, and rituals that outlines LaVey's Satanic ideology. The book contains the core principles of the Church of Satan and is considered the foundation of the philosophy and dogma that constitute LaVeyan Satanism.

Far from a manual for conquering the realms of earth, air, fire, and water, The Satanic Bible is LaVey's manifesto of a new religion, separate from the traditional Judeo-Christian definitions of Satanism. While LaVey rails against the deceit of the Christian church and white magicians, he weaves his own philosophy centered around self-indulgence.

The book claims the heritage of various ancient deities categorized by Christianity as "evil," and attempts to shatter the classical depiction of Satanism as a cult of black mass and child sacrifice. Instead, it presents a surprisingly logical argument in favor of a life focused on self-indulgence.

Ultimately, The Satanic Bible is less of a "bible" and more of a philosophy, with rituals included for entertainment, forming the backbone of a religion that LaVey brought into the public eye as a legitimate belief system.

By one of the most profoundly influential thinkers of our century, The Rebel is a classic essay on revolution. For Albert Camus, the urge to revolt is one of the essential dimensions of human nature, manifested in man's timeless Promethean struggle against the conditions of his existence, as well as the popular uprisings against established orders throughout history.

And yet, with an eye toward the French Revolution and its regicides and deicides, he shows how inevitably the course of revolution leads to tyranny. As old regimes throughout the world collapse, The Rebel resonates as an ardent, eloquent, and supremely rational voice of conscience for our tumultuous times.

Translated from the French by Anthony Bower.

Nausea is the story of Antoine Roquentin, a French writer who is horrified at his own existence. In impressionistic, diary form he ruthlessly catalogues his every feeling and sensation about the world and people around him. His thoughts culminate in a pervasive, overpowering feeling of nausea which "spread at the bottom of the viscous puddle, at the bottom of our time, the time of purple suspenders and broken chair seats; it is made of wide, soft instants, spreading at the edge, like an oil stain."

Roquentin's efforts to try and come to terms with his life, his philosophical and psychological struggles, give Sartre the opportunity to dramatize the tenets of his Existentialist creed.

Dedicated as few men have been to the life of reason, Bertrand Russell has always been concerned with the basic questions to which religion also addresses itself—questions about man's place in the universe and the nature of the good life, questions that involve life after death, morality, freedom, education, and sexual ethics.

He brings to his treatment of these questions the same courage, scrupulous logic, and lofty wisdom for which his other work as philosopher, writer, and teacher has been famous. These qualities make the essays included in this book perhaps the most graceful and moving presentation of the freethinker's position since the days of Hume and Voltaire.

"I am as firmly convinced that religions do harm as I am that they are untrue," Russell declares in his Preface, and his reasoned opposition to any system or dogma which he feels may shackle man's mind runs through all the essays in this book, whether they were written as early as 1899 or as late as 1954.

The book has been edited, with Lord Russell's full approval and cooperation, by Professor Paul Edwards of the Philosophy Department of New York University. In an Appendix, Professor Edwards contributes a full account of the highly controversial "Bertrand Russell Case" of 1940, in which Russell was judicially declared "unfit" to teach philosophy at the College of the City of New York.

Whether the reader shares or rejects Bertrand Russell's views, he will find this book an invigorating challenge to set notions, a masterly statement of a philosophical position, and a pure joy to read.

Mrityunjaya is an outstanding literary masterpiece by contemporary Marathi novelist Shivaji Sawant. It explores the eternal quest for the meaning of Being through the personae of the Mahabharata protagonists.

Mrityunjaya is the autobiography of Karna, and yet it is not just that. Sawant employs an exceptional stylistic innovation by combining six dramatic soliloquies to form the nine books of this novel of epic dimensions.

Four books are spoken by Karna. These are interspersed with a book each from the lips of his unwed mother Kunti, Duryodhana (who considers Karna his mainstay), Shon (Shatruntapa, his foster-brother, who hero-worships him), his wife Vrishali to whom he is like a god, and, last of all, Krishna.

Sawant depicts an uncanny similarity between Krishna and Karna and hints at a mystic link between them, investing his protagonist with a more-than-human aura to offset the un-heroic and even unmanly acts which mar this tremendously complex and utterly fascinating creation of Vyasa.

Capital, one of Marx's major and most influential works, was the product of thirty years close study of the capitalist mode of production in England, the most advanced industrial society of his day. This new translation of Volume One, the only volume to be completed and edited by Marx himself, seeks to do justice to the literary qualities of the work.

The introduction is by Ernest Mandel, author of Late Capitalism, one of the only comprehensive attempts to develop the theoretical legacy of Capital.

Wind, Sand and Stars captures the grandeur, danger, and isolation of flight. Its exciting account of air adventure, combined with lyrical prose and the spirit of a philosopher, makes it one of the most popular works ever written about flying. Translated by Lewis Galantière.

Alan Watts asks what is the cause of the illusion that the self is a separate ego, housed in a bag of skin, and which confronts a universe of physical objects that are alien to it. Rather, a person's identity (their ego) binds them to the physical universe, creating a relationship with their environment and other people.

The separation of the self and the physical world leads to the misuse of technology and the attempt to violently subjugate man's natural environment, leading to its destruction. Explaining man's role in the universe as a unique expression of the total universe, and interdependent on it, Alan Watts offers a new understanding of personal identity.

It reveals the mystery of existence, presenting an alternative to the feelings of alienation that is prevalent in Western society, and a vision of how we can come to understand the cosmic self that is within every living thing.

ثرثرة فوق النيل is set in the late sixties, a time of significant social change. The story follows a group of friends who gather night after night on a houseboat on the Nile. Under the moonlight, they smoke, chat, and inhabit a cozy and enchanted world. However, one night, Art and Reality collide with unforeseen consequences.

In this thrilling and deeply serious tale, Mahfouz exposes the human and artistic dilemmas of modern times, skillfully blending philosophical musings with social commentary.

A collection of powerful stories by one of the masters of Russian literature, illustrating the author's thoughts on political philosophy, religion and above all, humanity. This volume includes Notes from Underground, White Nights, The Dream of a Ridiculous Man, and Selections from The House of the Dead.

The compelling works presented in this volume were written at distinct periods in Dostoyevsky's life, at decisive moments in his groping for a political philosophy and a religious answer. From the primitive peasant who kills without understanding that he is destroying life to the anxious antihero of Notes from Underground—who both craves and despises affection—the writer's often-tormented characters showcase his evolving outlook on our fate.

Thomas Mann described Dostoyevsky as "an author whose Christian sympathy is ordinarily devoted to human misery, sin, vice, the depths of lust and crime, rather than to nobility of body and soul" and Notes from Underground as "an awe- and terror- inspiring example of this sympathy."

حالا همه‌چیز به رنگ خاکستری بنفش متمایل بود و برف شل و چسبنده‌.

سرما به همه جای آدم سر می‌کشید و دنبال قلب می‌گشت. در اطرافشان کوچکترین اثری از حرکت محسوس نبود. سکونی بود که انسان را فرو می‌بلعید و مغز را که هنوز زنده بود و آنها همه در شخص دیگری می‌گذشت.

دیگر نه در درون انسان اثری از کثافت‌کاری‌های روانی بود نه در بیرون. لنی کم‌کم داشت به قدری به این مسائل بی‌اعتنا می‌شد که حتی امکان داشت برگردد و...

Hopscotch is a novel by Julio Cortazar, translated by Gregory Rabassa, that revolutionized the narrative structure with its non-linear approach. The story follows Horacio Oliveira, an Argentinian writer living in Paris with his mistress, La Maga, amid a group of bohemian friends known as "the Club." After a series of personal tragedies, Oliveira returns to Buenos Aires, where his life takes a series of unexpected turns as he takes on various odd jobs.

The novel is famous for its unique structure, allowing readers to navigate through its chapters in a non-conventional order. This innovative layout mirrors the book’s thematic exploration of life's complexity and the search for meaning. Cortazar drew inspiration from a variety of sources, including Henry Miller's quest for truth, Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki's Zen Buddhism teachings, and the aesthetics of Modernist writers like Joyce. Additionally, the novel reflects influences from Surrealism, the French New Novel, jazz music, and New Wave Cinema.

Gregory Rabassa's translation of Hopscotch won the National Book Award in 1966, marking a significant moment for the recognition of translation in literature. Cortazar's approval of Rabassa's work led to the translator's collaboration with Gabriel García Márquez on One Hundred Years of Solitude, further cementing Rabassa's reputation as a master translator.

Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter is a superb autobiography by one of the great literary figures of the twentieth century, Simone de Beauvoir. It offers an intimate picture of growing up in a bourgeois French family, rebelling as an adolescent against the conventional expectations of her class, and striking out on her own with an intellectual and existential ambition exceedingly rare in a young woman in the 1920s.

Beauvoir vividly evokes her friendships, love interests, mentors, and the early days of the most important relationship of her life, with fellow student Jean-Paul Sartre, against the backdrop of a turbulent political time in France.