Humanities Books

I would recommend this book very highly to anyone who is interested to know about Zoroastrianism

I am amazed that "An Introduction To Ancient Iranian Religion: Readings From the Avesta and the Achaemenid Inscriptions" is not more generally available (and less expensive!) than it is, since it appears to be the ONLY work of its kind. Be that as it may, this volume gives the reader the primary texts of Zarathushtra, the inscriptions of Darius and his heirs, and the essential texts of Zoroastrianism. The introductions are extensive, and except for what appears to me to be an odd system of transliteration, illuminating. The book as a whole is organized to present texts concerning major figures in the religion in an orderly fashion rather than in their (I gather) extremely mixed-up later format. Translations are clear insofar as this is possible, and where the texts are really obscure, Malandra indicates this. This book is very short (fewer than 200 pages), but extremely clear and fair-minded (as opposed, say to Edwin Yamauchi's discussion of Zoroaster), and definitely worth having for anyone interested in the ancient near east.

This is an outstanding work marked by objectivity and concern for the truth. It takes the reader away from the superficial and one-sided way in which the U.S. government and media portray Iraq, its history, people, and politics. The work carries a great deal of information that the U.S. public needs to know. I found it an eye opener that combines scholarship with straightforwardness. The chapters on archeology, Baghdad in the golden age, art, music, literature, history, and Iraq/Iran are most enlightening and charming. The chapters on some religious and ethnic communities, the sanctions, and politics provide information to a large extent unknown to the U.S. general public. The contributors impress me as excellent scholars, who have tried to support their views with historical facts and logic and, and who have undogmatically presented the reader with various points of view about some controversial issues, (see, for example, the issue of Halabja in the chapter on the Kurds). To call this kind of scholarly work "politically motivated" is to make a politically motivated statement intended to turn away the public from coming to know the truth about certain matters related to Iraq and our policy concerning it.
The criticism that the work has no chapter on Saddam Hussein is rather silly. This work is not about a man, but about a country. Hussein and his regime are mentioned in many chapters, and they are described as oppressive. However, to devote a separate chapter to Hussein would require the inclusion of many other chapters about many other man who have shaped the history of Iraq, including George Bush, the father and the son.

I strongly recommend this remarkable collection of essays on Iraq and congratulate Professor Inati for his thoughtful and careful work that we badly need.

This is an outstanding work marked by objectivity and concern for the truth. It takes the reader away from the superficial and one-sided way in which the U.S. government and media portray Iraq, its history, people, and politics. The work carries a great deal of information that the U.S. public needs to know. I found it an eye opener that combines scholarship with straightforwardness. The chapters on archeology, Baghdad in the golden age, art, music, literature, history, and Iraq/Iran are most enlightening and charming. The chapters on some religious and ethnic communities, the sanctions, and politics provide information to a large extent unknown to the U.S. general public. The contributors impress me as excellent scholars, who have tried to support their views with historical facts and logic and, and who have undogmatically presented the reader with various points of view about some controversial issues, (see, for example, the issue of Halabja in the chapter on the Kurds). To call this kind of scholarly work "politically motivated" is to make a politically motivated statement intended to turn away the public from coming to know the truth about certain matters related to Iraq and our policy concerning it.
The criticism that the work has no chapter on Saddam Hussein is rather silly. This work is not about a man, but about a country. Hussein and his regime are mentioned in many chapters, and they are described as oppressive. However, to devote a separate chapter to Hussein would require the inclusion of many other chapters about many other man who have shaped the history of Iraq, including George Bush, the father and the son.

I strongly recommend this remarkable collection of essays on Iraq and congratulate Professor Inati for her thoughtful and careful work that we badly need.

Ethnomusicologist and skilled jazz musician Paul Austerlitz presents Jazz Consciousness: Music, Race, And Humanity is a passionate and persuasive essay postulating the core thesis that jazz and the worldview connected to it embodies an inclusive aspect, reaching beyond its African-American base to connect with all of humanity. Written from a scholarly perspective as well as that of a jazz player and music lover, Jazz Consciousness explores the widespread influence of jazz in music of the United States, The Dominican Republic, and Finland, among other nations as well as the immense contributions of individuals such as Milford Graves and Mario Bauza. An extensively researched and persuasively written accounting of the psychological power of a widely beloved form of music.

Ethnomusicologist and skilled jazz musician Paul Austerlitz presents Jazz Consciousness: Music, Race, And Humanity is a passionate and persuasive essay postulating the core thesis that jazz and the worldview connected to it embodies an inclusive aspect, reaching beyond its African-American base to connect with all of humanity. Written from a scholarly perspective as well as that of a jazz player and music lover, Jazz Consciousness explores the widespread influence of jazz in music of the United States, The Dominican Republic, and Finland, among other nations as well as the immense contributions of individuals such as Milford Graves and Mario Bauza. An extensively researched and persuasively written accounting of the psychological power of a widely beloved form of music.

This was required reading for a graduate course in the Humanities. This is a great book written to explain the theories of a very engaging storyteller. Joseph Campbell describes the monomyth in his book The Hero With a Thousand Faces as embodying all the necessary elements of the hero's journey in the many myths in human history. Campbell discovered through extensive research that humankind shares a universal monomyth in its various religions and legends especially pertaining to the creation of the world and humankind. Campbell borrowed the term monomyth from James Joyce's book Finnegan's Wake. Campbell's intuitive insight in human myth proves that for thousands of years these myths display a certain standard structure, which he summarizes beautifully in his book.

A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a
region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there
encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back
from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons
on his fellow man (Campbell 30).

There are at least four major stages that a monomyth has however, in his book, Campbell goes on to describe seventeen stages that some monomyth's posses. The four stages making up the cycle of a monomyth are "passage: separation-initiation-return:" In the passage stage the hero is summoned to journey or embark on an adventure by some kind of event that takes place or from a message, he receives. The hero may embark on this passage willingly or reluctantly. During the separation stage, the hero meets with a mentor or wise man who gives the hero either an amulet or some words of wisdom to be of help to the hero on the adventure. It is during this stage that the hero will go through his first transformation, also known as "crossing the first threshold," as he crosses over to another world or dimension leaving behind the old world. In the initiation stage, the hero goes through several trials or tests. The hero often receives help in these ordeals along the way by allies or from a supernatural force. As the hero completes these ordeals successfully, he proves himself more worthy to continue the adventure. Most importantly, during this stage the hero must pass through a major ordeal that will expand his consciousness, and thereby change his character forever. Often, this ordeal entails the death of an ally or enemy. Once the hero successful accomplishes his ordeal he is rewarded with a gift, it could be intrinsic like the "holy grail, or it can be new found knowledge to better the world with. The last stage the hero travels is that of the return whence he came. Often the hero will undergo further trials on his return before he is permitted to cross the threshold back to the world he left. During his return journey, the hero will use his newfound wisdom or gift to make a safe return home. Once home the gift is used to cure some ill in the hero's home or to impart new wisdom to his neighbors.

Campbell points to the significance of the monomyth in the fact that it describes the cycle that Moses, Jesus, and Buddha had gone through according to their religious adherents. This is not to mention the hundreds of other monomyths told throughout human history. The monomyth proves that humankind shares a common creation DNA in a sense. The monomyth is the perfect vehicle for one to study the Humanities by.

Recommended reading for anyone interested in history, psychology, philosophy.

The author has written an excellent overview. While he recognizes the romantic appeal of Campbell's work, he remains solicitous with his breakdown of the recurring themes, such as the collapse of Eastern into Western culture and the supposed Matriarchal culture and philosopy that underlies all "higher" forms of religion. This is not to say that he disproves Campbell's ideas as a mystic per se, since such ideas are subjective.

I i had an oppertunity to meet any one individual in history, Swami Chinmayananda would be one well worth considering. This book gives a subtle insight into the life an an evoltionalist who lived to bring about a spiritual renascence in India and the World. It covers the life of Swami Chinmayananda, in a way that leaves you captivated, I often find myself picking the book up again and again only to be further insipred with every chapter. I recommend it to eveyone!

This is an amazing tale of a real-life hero! Anyone interested in learning more about a renowned teacher and leader should read this book. Truly inspiring!

had a lot of difficulty finding this book and amazon came to the rescue especially with its quick delivery time. book takes you through the steps in writing what is GOOD. thanks

Book was recieved within 2 days of transaction. Very speedy. Very much appreciated.

The entries, and average of four or five paragraphs long, are detailed enough to send the reader in the right direction should he desire a more in-depth treatment, and aquaint one with all of the fundamental points of any given concept presented. Very well done.

I think this is a very useful and enlightening reference book for many of the key and mind-twisting ideas in history. Reading this book is a real treat and I can lose track of time as I jump from one topic to another. Anyone who wants to build his humanities and to go on a journey to understand the society of his own time should learn from this book. The Key Ideas in Human Thought is really an amazing book and a jumping board for me in the way an intellectual should look at the world and his space in it.

These are wonderful inspiring quotes to live by. Great pictures to send to your family and friends for any travel occasion.

I have never seen these old koala postcards before and like the manner in which they were grouped. Klassic Koalas: Vintage Postcards and Timeless Quotes of Wisdom offers a refreshing mix of daily meditations; each page of this book has a penetrating message and a corresponding koala up-to-something companion image.
Are humans able to be playful and natural? Have we forgotten? "Yes" is the answer. Wise minds suggest it is a privilege and responsibility to be human, to have consciousness, and we are able, with our place in the cosmos, to protect vulnerable beings from harm.

The first step is to heal one's self--and from there, the world. As the outer is reflection of inner. So as humans manage to heal the koala will be safe. Can someone read this to me every night and tuck me in?

Biffle's book does a wonderful job of teaching students the basics of the history of philosophy and the major ideas advanced by most of the major philosophers. It is particularly useful for new teachers because it contains so many excellent exercises that are ideal for quizes or short exams.

I BELIEVE THIS BOOK IS A NECESSITY FOR ANYONE NEW TO PHILOSOPHY. I used this book two years ago in an introductory philosophy class. I brought it to college with me and re-read it often. When I don't understand something in a philosophy class, I refer to this book and I am no longer confused. Biffle's explanations, examples and questions make understanding philosophy a piece of cake. I am in love with this book and recommend it to everyone, whether or not it's required reading for your philosophy class.

This book is informative and an assett for anyone wishing to implement the language arts workshop in their classroom.

This book is full of best practices ideas to use in the language arts classroom. I think it is a must have for all language arts teachers today and especially those in the special education field.