Ann Arbor Paperbacks - Böcker

The words of the 4th-century monastics who founded the Desert Rule

The Praise of Folly by Desiderius Erasmus is an enduring classic that satirically critiques the societal and religious norms of its time. Translated by John Wilson in 1668, this seminal work uses wit and humor to examine the folly prevalent in various human behaviors and institutions, making it a timeless piece that continues to resonate. With a foreword by Kenneth E. Boulding, this edition delves into the essence of folly through a monologue by the allegorical character, Folly herself. She extols the virtues of foolishness in a world riddled with pretentious wisdom and self-importance. Erasmus, with his sharp intellect and playful prose, not only entertains but also provokes deep reflection on the paradoxes of human nature and the pursuit of wisdom, making The Praise of Folly a profound yet accessible read for anyone interested in literature, philosophy, and social commentary.

Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, together with Death's Duel, by John Donne, is a profound collection of meditations and sermons that reflect on the human condition, mortality, and spirituality. Written during a severe illness in 1623, the Devotions are a series of reflections that combine personal anguish with deep theological insights, exploring themes of suffering, divine intervention, and redemption. Death's Duel, often considered Donne's final sermon before his death, serves as a poignant and eloquent meditation on the inevitability of death and the promise of eternal life. Together, these works encapsulate Donne's masterful blending of personal experience with universal spiritual truths, offering readers a timeless contemplation of life, faith, and death.

A vivid life of Charlemagne, written ca A.D. 830 by a member of his court

A major work in moral philosophy by the noted Puritan divine

Heloise and Abelard by Etienne Gilson explores the intense and tragic love affair between twelfth-century philosopher Peter Abelard and his brilliant student Heloise. Translated by L. K. Shook, the book delves into the intellectual and personal dynamics of their relationship, set against the backdrop of medieval philosophy and theology. Through a meticulous analysis of their correspondence and historical context, Gilson addresses the secrecy of their marriage, the ethical implications of their love, and Abelard's conversion to religious devotion. The narrative offers a nuanced understanding of their motivations and the societal conflicts they faced, supported by extensive scholarly research. This work provides a comprehensive examination of the intersection of love, philosophy, and theology in their compelling story.

Aristotle's great work translated into English with an index giving Greek, Latin, and English forms of key terms

Education presents Immanuel Kant’s profound reflections on the theory and practice of education. He argues that education is an essential process that distinguishes humans from animals, emphasizing that humans require nurturing, discipline, teaching, and culture to develop their innate potential. The book delves into physical education, intellectual cultivation, moral culture, and practical instruction, suggesting that education is not just about imparting knowledge or skill but also about shaping ethical and capable individuals. Kant underscores that true education involves both discipline and freedom, preparing individuals not only to conform to present societal norms but to strive for a higher moral and intellectual state. By combining philosophical insights with practical observations, Kant establishes that education should be a harmonized effort of both private and public sectors, aiming at the holistic development of human faculties toward the perfection of mankind.

Behavior depends on the image—the sum of what we think we know and what makes us act the way we do. The image lies behind the actions of every individual. It accounts for the growth of every cause. To recognize the image is to begin to understand the scientist, the believer, the crusader, the soldier. To know its shape is the key to psychoanalysis, public opinion polling, and social psychology. Professor Kenneth Boulding, eminent economist and author of Organizational Revolution, illuminates with the image of all modern knowledge: biology, psychology, sociology, political science, economics, and history. And he proposes a new science, "eiconics," to restructure all that is presently known about man.

In an era when the sounds of monasticism's interior life speak to a new generation, Eleanor Shipley Duckett offers an illuminated description of its development under such figures as Columban, "the saint afire with Irish enthusiam"; St. Benedict, greatest of the monks, who established a pattern of the religious life still vibrant to this day; and St. Gregory, Benedict's pupil and greatest of the popes, who more than any other prepared the See of Rome for its triumphant emergence in the Middle Ages."Professor Duckett writes a history of this period that is as full of intellectual excitement as those centuries were of military excitement." -- Christian Century"New light on the troubled origins of the medieval spirit." --New Republic Eleanor Shipley Duckett was Professor Emerita of Latin Languages and Literature, Smith College.

Studies social and economic issues through the writings of great thinkers of the age

Rosa Luxemburg (1870-1919), one of the most remarkable and controversial personalities in the Marxist movement, opposes in this book not the Bolshevik’s quest for power but the way they took power, the way they held power, the way they justified themselves in doing both. In the light of the soviet collapse her penetrating but not unsympathetic criticism becomes a grave indictment and her fears for the Communists uncannily prophetic of events to come.

Uproariously funny stories that give a behind-the-scenes look at daily life in the Soviet Union of Zoshchenko's time

The Merchant Class of Medieval London by Sylvia L. Thrupp explores the social context in which London merchants operated, focusing on their economic, political, and social roles. This book delves into the merchants' dominant position in the city, their control over municipal government, and their national impact. It examines their wealth, standards of living, family life, education, and religious attitudes, providing a comprehensive view of their lifestyle and values. The text also addresses the social mobility within the merchant class, noting the constant movement in and out of the class and the factors influencing this dynamic. Thrupp utilizes a wide variety of sources, including deeds, wills, court records, and personal documents, to create a detailed portrait of medieval London's merchant culture. This work is essential for understanding the intricacies of medieval urban life and the significant role merchants played in shaping the economy and society of the time.

In 401 B.C. the Middle East was as much the center of the world attention as it is today. Ten thousand Greeks joined the army of Cyros marching on Babylon to overthrow the great King of the Persians, Artaxerxes. Among the Greeks was an Athenian gentleman, Xenophon, who went along as a sightseer but soon found himself cast in the main role. At Cunaxa, Cyros' forces met and resoundingly defeated the tremendous army of the King, but Cyros was killed while leading the attack. Stranded a thousand miles from home, the Greeks chose Xenophon as their new leader. The wealthy Athenian squire rose to the challenge. Using every trick of the pioneer in hostile territory, he brought his men back to safety. The March Up Country is a classic of courage and adventure.

From pony to airplane, from medicine dance to Christian worship, Mountain Wolf Woman, Sister of Crashing Thunder is the life story of a Winnebago woman, told in her own words to her adopted kinswoman, Nancy Lurie. This retelling of more than seventy-five years of Native American life is both a candid and compelling account of how one woman lived through a period of cultural crisis. Mountain Wolf Woman tells of her childhood in Wisconsin, her brief stay at a mission school, her marriage to "Bad Soldier," and her religious experiences with peyote. Her struggle to maintain her family against many hardships---odds that would have defeated a less vigorous and self-confident person---underscores her perseverance and tenacity. Whether she is describing her wanderings as a child or her misfortunes later in life, Mountain Wolf Woman sets forth her views in honest and perceptive terms, adding all the more power to her narrative. This book is a valuable companion to the story of Mountain Wolf Woman's brother, immortalized by Paul Radin in Crashing Thunder, a classic of anthropological literature. It will also be of interest to those interested in ethnographic records, the role of women in native cultures, and Midwestern Native Americans, in general. " . . . a superb human document."---Chicago Sun-Times" . . . one of those rare books . . . ."---Saturday Review". . . a notable contribution to the literature of culture change and culture and personality."---American Anthropologist

An analysis of the ideas of Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglass, W. E. B. DuBois, and other black leaders from the turn of the century

The holy mission of the Maid of Orleans is recreated in this, one of the greatest of the books on Joan. Jules Michelet captures the hardships of battle, the glory of victory, the disillusion of imprisonment. Her betrayal and martyrdom at the stake have an enduring mood of beauty and brutality. Albert Guérard's sensitive translation offers the first complete English rendition of this classic nineteenth-century work.Jules Michelet, 1798-1874, noted French historian, is perhaps best known for his Histoire de la révolution française (1847-53) and his Histoire de France (1833-67).The late Albert Guérard was professor of comparative literature and lecturer in French civilization at Stanford University. His many books include Europe Free and United, Napoleon III, Education of a Humanist, and France: A Modern History.

Chesnutt writes of the black search for identity in the period between the Civil War and the turn of the century

Contains Lysistrata, The Congresswomen, The Acharnians, and The Frogs

Contains The Birds, The Clouds, and The Wasps

First published in 1899, these folk tales within a tale provide commentary on the social attitudes of the period

Recreates the 9th-century world of Charlemagne through portraits of outstanding figures of the age

Aristotle's Poetics is a work of transcendent importance, both for the history of literary criticism and in its own right.In his masterful translation and accompanying notes, Dr. Else makes a special effort to achieve maximum clarity, while remaining faithful to the original. His constant aim is to provide -- for all readers -- a "way in" to Aristotle's processes of thinking about literature.This important modern translation is made form the 1965 Oxford Classical Text edition of the Poetics by Rudolf Kassel and thus reflects the latest and most authoritative textual scholarship. Not only the translation but the valuable fund of commentary will delight anyone -- literary critic, philosopher, classicist, or general reader -- who want to learn what Aristotle really said.

A vivid portrait of political and cultural life in the 10th century

To be born into the middle or upper classes of Matthew Arnold's England was in a sense to be born into the classical tradition. The precise contour and uses of the tradition, in Arnold's thought and writing, are the subject of this unique study by Warren D. Anderson. In Matthew Arnold and the Classical Tradition, Anderson shows how the young poet first experimented with his classical heritage, how he moved toward deep involvement and then withdrew to a more objective position. The author examines Arnold's school and university background, his poetry and later prose, his relationship to Stoicism and Epicureanism. The resulting study is absolutely central to an appreciation of Arnold and to an understanding of the classical foundations of Western literature. It shows clearly and accurately the ways in which the nineteenth century interpreted the fifth century B.C.

Manifestoes of Surrealism is an essential text by André Breton, a French writer and poet, and co-founder of the Surrealist movement. This volume includes Breton’s 1924 surrealist manifesto, his second manifesto from 1930, and extracts from other letters and works. Drawing on Freudian psychoanalysis, dream logic, and automatic writing, Breton rejects rationalism and embraces the unconscious as a path to artistic and social liberation.

The most comprehensive contemporaneous record of the rise and fall of the Carolingian Empire

The first volume of a collection of writings by early Soviet critics and theorists