Passion The Books

As a Spinoza enthusiast, I've heard way too many glib efforts over the years to link Spinoza to the Stoics. Thankfully, we finally have a book -- and a very well written one at that -- that analyzes how Spinoza borrows from the Stoics and how his philosophy departs from theirs. DeBrabander's Spinoza comes across as altogether different from the model Stoic philosopher. Rather than burying the emotions beneath that Leviathan known as the Stoic capacity for "self control," Spinoza is shown to be a philosopher who respects the power of passions. In fact, DeBrabander's Spinoza embraces the passions as the "path to salvation."

Well, OK. I'm not exactly suggesting the hero of this book is a wine-woman-and-song hedonist. But I couldn't help but enjoy the vitality of the Spinozist philosopher portrayed in this book. It is infinitely more attractive than, say, the ascetic stereotype of the Spinozist depicted in I.B. Singer's "The Spinoza of Market Street."

"Spinoza and the Stoics" may sound like a narrow topic for a book, but it covers quite a range of topics. Politics, ethics, theology, and psychology are all discussed at some length. For me, the single greatest portion of this work is its ending, in which DeBrabander demonstrates that Spinoza should no more be thought of as a utilitarian than as a Stoic. I am slated to teach a Spinoza workshop next month and very much look forward to sharing with the group verbatim this book's beautiful and insightful conclusion.

The product arrived in a timely manner is excellent condition. The content of the product is most excellent. I look forward to making future purchases.

Dover Publications did a fine job in presenting this material. I feel that is an excellent companion to the recording, and would be perfect as part of a set: The Great Choral Works. Shortly after purchasing this book, I also purchased the St. John's Score, Christmas Oratorio score and Mass in b score- I never want to close them!

This is a book about schoolboys in love. That is pretty unusual! It's also about a bunch of funny, wonderful and terrible people including a dotty and very lovable housemaster who is right out of Charles Dickens. There is lots of adventure and lots of affection. Very moving. It is very interestingly written. The storyteller has a great style and the conversations of the boys is very funny. It's the kind of book you wish you hadn't already read.

This book really opened my eyes to the insights astrology canoffer as to someone's character.I have used it as a guide in selectingmost of my friends and employees.

By using your date of birth the book combines the Venus and Mars aspects of your horoscope to chart your romantic , love and spiritual character. It gives a brilliantly concise synopsis of your modus operandi in love, passion and work.

For anyone interested in Astrology, this is a book which should not be overlooked

Elena

This booklet is so pastoral, and even though it takes the child through the most painful experience of the crucifixion of Jesus, the tone is gentle and compassionate. Basic values of love, obedience, caring for those who are suffering are interwoven in a style that is easy to read and understand. I was thrilled to find this after reviewing several others written for young children.

Our pastor used this as a source for children's sermons and for our church's preschool chapel services - it was a real hit! In addition to the pictures in the book, he had stuffed animals that he passed around to the children which represented the animals. The pictures are colorful, and the depictions of Jesus are very warm and tasteful. You have to get past a bit of fiction in the idea that these animals "witnessed" the events, but if you're willing to do that, you'll find a wonderful teaching tool.

I love this book! I bought it around 15 years ago and I've reread it many times. This book will be around for many years because it speaks to our hearts. If you have ever loved, you know how tempting it is leave ourselves on the doorstep. This book is a reminder that love for others must be mixed with love for ourselves. I still remember the excitement I felt when I first read it - I experienced a shift in my way of thinking!

In my opinion an excellent historical romance, well written, with excellent historical detail; an entertaining and compelling story of enduring love and passion without being overly repetitive, inaccurate or repugnant. For lover's of actual historical events mixed with a great love story, you will really enjoy this book.

Please do not listen to the other review of this book: it is clearly written by someone who hasn't read Glynn's carefully argued, very interesting examination of "trash" television. "John Q. Public," as he calls himself in the review, seems to make it sound so simple -- networks play things because they get ratings. But what Glynn answers in a way that all of John Q's love for PBS can't is WHY they get ratings. The answer to this question has so often been astoundingly shortsighted and downright insulting: "People watch trash TV because they're stupid, don't know any better, and never will" or something as asinine and simplistic as that.

But Glynn digs into the populist in a very interesting way, and what he finds is that these shows frequently validate everyday experiences and knowledge of everyday, working class viewers in ways that many instances of "high culture" on television don't. Glynn's point is not at all about aesthetics or artistic value (as John Q. Public assumes, having not read the book, that it is), as he largely leaves this question for the reader to answer: his point is about not just disregarding all these programs AND all their viewers because one has made such artistic judgements. In "trash" TV, Glynn finds many democratic tendencies.

At times, Glynn can overdo it, and at other times, his enthusiasm to defend overlooks, or rushes through, disturbing political content of the shows (such as inherent racism or sexism), but most of the time he is remarkably careful to balance such tensions.

This is an academic text, and so may not be ideal for everyone, though it is reasonably accessible. So, if you want to go beyond complaining that such television shouldn't exist, and if you're actually interested in why it does, and why so many people turn to it, I highly recommend this book. I share the reviewer "John Q Public's" regard for PBS, though I feel it has turned its back on many Americans, and on the real John Q Publics, so to speak. Glynn's book looks at what those John Qs are watching and starts to ask the reasons why. (For more on PBS and "the masses," though, I'd highly recommend Laurie Ouellette's *Viewers Like You?*)