Other books that might interest you

• 

  Symposium

  Plato

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Symposium is a philosophical text written by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, believed to have been composed in the late 4th century BCE. The book is a dialogue between a group of distinguished Athenians, who have gathered together to discuss the nature of love and beauty. 
  The dialogue takes place during a symposium, or dinner party, hosted by the tragedian Agathon. The guests, including Socrates, Aristophanes, and Alcibiades, take turns giving speeches in praise of love, each offering their own unique perspective on the subject. 
  Throughout the text, Plato explores the nature of love and its role in human life, examining the ways in which it can inspire us to reach for greater heights of knowledge and understanding, while also causing us great pain and suffering. The speeches given by the various characters in the text are rich with symbolism and metaphor, and offer a wide range of interpretations and insights into the nature of love. 
  At its core, Symposium is a meditation on the human condition, and the ways in which we grapple with our own mortality and the limitations of our existence. Through its exploration of love and beauty, the book offers a profound reflection on the nature of human experience, and the search for meaning and purpose in our lives.

  Show book

• 

  100 Quotes about Reason

  Gil Carroll

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Reason has done much of the heavy lifting throughout history. This book presents quotations from many of history's key figures who both recognize the importance of – and also the limitations of – reason.

  Show book

• 

  Battle of Waterloo - The...

  Kelly Mass

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  The Battle of Waterloo, fought on June 18, 1815, near the village of Waterloo in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands (present-day Belgium), was a decisive conflict that ended the Napoleonic Wars. The battle pitted the French army, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, against two powerful forces from the Seventh Coalition. One of these was a British-led coalition under the command of the Duke of Wellington, which included troops from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Hanover, Brunswick, and Nassau. The other force was a larger Prussian army commanded by Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher. Together, these forces effectively crushed Napoleon's ambitions and marked the final chapter in his reign. The battle was also known as the Battle of Mont Saint-Jean (to the French) or La Belle Alliance (to the Prussians). 
  The events leading to Waterloo began when Napoleon returned to power in March 1815, following his exile to the island of Elba. His return prompted his former enemies to form the Seventh Coalition, a group determined to prevent his resurgence. The British and Prussian armies were stationed along France's northern border, preparing for a possible confrontation. Napoleon, keen to defeat his enemies before they could join forces, planned to strike at each army individually. On June 16, he attacked the Prussian army at the Battle of Ligny, inflicting a significant defeat, which forced the Prussians to retreat northward. However, the Prussian retreat was conducted in good order, and they maintained contact with Wellington's forces, who were stationed nearby.

  Show book

• 

  Russia's War

  Jade McGlynn

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  In the early hours of February 24, 2022, Russian forces attacked Ukraine. The brutality of the Russian assault has horrified the world. But Russians themselves appear to be watching an entirely different war—one in which they are the courageous underdogs and kind-hearted heroes successfully battling a malign Ukrainian foe. 
   
   
   
  Russia analyst Jade McGlynn takes us on a journey into this parallel military and political universe to reveal the sometimes monstrous, sometimes misconstrued attitudes behind Russian majority backing for the invasion. Drawing on media analysis and interviews with ordinary citizens, officials and foreign-policy elites in Russia and Ukraine, McGlynn explores the grievances, lies and half-truths that pervade the Russian worldview. She also exposes the complicity of many Russians, who have invested too deeply in the Kremlin's alternative narratives to regard the war as Putin's foolhardy mission. In their eyes, this is Russia's war—against Ukraine, against the West, against evil—and there can be no turning back.

  Show book

• 

  Cicero's Brutus

  Cicero

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  "Cicero's Brutus" is a captivating historical dialogue penned by the renowned Roman philosopher and statesman, Marcus Tullius Cicero. Set during the twilight years of the Roman Republic, the narrative revolves around a profound conversation between Cicero and his intellectual companions, Brutus and Atticus, as they reflect upon the illustrious lives and achievements of Rome's most eminent orators. Through a series of stimulating discussions, Cicero embarks on a compelling exploration of rhetoric, eloquence, and the art of public speaking. With the intent to pay homage to the great orators of the past, Cicero delves into the lives and oratorical prowess of renowned figures such as Crassus, Sulpicius, and Antonius, meticulously dissecting their rhetorical styles, memorable speeches, and the impact they had on Roman society. Read in English, unabridged.

  Show book

• 

  Mayan Myths and Legends -...

  Odessa Nightshade

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  The Maya civilization is one of the most enigmatic and awe-inspiring cultures of the ancient world. Flourishing for thousands of years in the dense jungles of Mesoamerica, the Maya built vast cities, developed a sophisticated writing system, and mapped the heavens with astonishing accuracy. Yet, beyond their architectural and scientific achievements, the Maya were a deeply spiritual people, weaving a rich tapestry of myths, legends, and sacred beliefs that connected them to the cosmos. Their mythology was not mere storytelling—it was a living force, shaping their rituals, governance, and daily existence.  
  At the heart of Maya spirituality was a complex pantheon of gods and supernatural beings, each governing different aspects of life, death, and the afterlife. Unlike many Western traditions that separate the divine from the earthly realm, the Maya believed that the gods were intimately involved in every facet of existence. Deities such as Itzamná, the creator god, and Chaac, the bringer of rain, were both revered and feared, their influence reflected in ceremonies, offerings, and astronomical observations. The legendary Popol Vuh, often referred to as the “Maya Bible,” preserved many of these sacred stories, including the epic journey of the Hero Twins, Hunahpú and Xbalanqué, who overcame the lords of the underworld, Xibalba, to restore cosmic order.  
  Maya mythology was deeply intertwined with their concept of time and destiny. Their intricate calendar system, which included the Tzolk’in (a sacred 260-day calendar) and the Long Count, was not merely a tool for marking days but a means of understanding cosmic cycles and divine will. Priests and scribes interpreted these calendars to determine auspicious dates for everything from coronations to warfare. Prophecies and celestial events were seen as messages from the gods, guiding the fate of individuals and entire kingdoms. 

  Show book