Showing results for "Politics" in Arts & Entertainment

In this beautifully written and brilliantly reasoned collection of essays, Ayn Rand throws new light on the nature of art and its purpose in human life. Once again, she demonstrates her bold originality and her refusal to let conventional ideas define her sense of the truth. Rand eloquently asserts that one cannot create art without infusing it with one's own value judgments and personal philosophy - even an attempt to withhold moral overtones only results in a deterministic or naturalistic message.

Following her retirement from Princeton University, celebrated historian Dr. Nell Irvin Painter surprised everyone in her life by returning to school - in her 60s - to earn a BFA and MFA in painting. In Old in Art School, she travels from her beloved Newark to the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design; finds meaning in the artists she loves, even as she comes to understand how they may be undervalued; and struggles with the unstable balance between the pursuit of art and the inevitable, sometimes painful, demands of a life fully lived.

The never-before-published edition of Francis Ford Coppola's notes and annotations on The Godfather novel by Mario Puzo reveals the story behind one of the world's most iconic films. In this one-of-a-kind audio production, Coppola provides listeners with unfiltered access to his creative process in his own voice. Featuring notes from eight scenes - handpicked by Coppola himself - The Godfather Notebook is a must-listen for fans of the 1972 film.

Beatleness explains how the band became a source of emotional, intellectual, aesthetic, and spiritual nurturance in fans’ lives, creating a relationship that was historically unique. Looking at that relationship against the backdrop of the sexual revolution, the Vietnam War, political assassinations, and other events of those tumultuous years, the audiobook critically examines the often-heard assertion that the Beatles changed everything.

Great minds have long sought to understand the relationship between music and mathematics. Both involve patterns, structures, and relationships. Both generate ideas of great beauty and elegance. Music is a fertile testing ground for mathematical principles, while mathematics explains the sounds instruments make and how composers put those sounds together. Understanding the connections between music and mathematics helps you appreciate both, even if you have no special ability in either field....

In this influential sequence of linked interviews, Ranciere explores the interplay of art and politics. The Politics of Aesthetics rethinks the relationship between art and politics, reclaiming "aesthetics" from the narrow confines it is often reduced to. Jacques Rancière reveals its intrinsic link to politics by analysing what they both have in common: the delimitation of the visible and the invisible, the audible and the inaudible, the thinkable and the unthinkable, the possible and the impossible.

In Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy, Bertrand Russell penned a profound exploration while imprisoned for his anti-war activism during World War I. This work delves into the groundbreaking contributions of late nineteenth-century mathematicians and presents Russells own philosophy of mathematics known as Logicism, which posits that all mathematical truths are ultimately logical truths. He reflects on his earlier significant achievements in addressing the paradoxes that challenged the foundations of mathematics, culminating in the renowned three-volume Principia Mathematica, co-authored ...

In the years leading up to his passing, Professor William James dedicated himself to articulating his thoughts on key metaphysical issues in a book intended for philosophy enthusiasts. He began crafting this introductory textbook for students in metaphysics in March 1909, driven by a deep ambition to complete it. Unfortunately, illness and other demands on his waning strength hindered his progress, and what is now available represents the entirety of his work at the time of his death in August 1910. - Summary by Henry James, Jr.

In Thinking as a Science, Henry Hazlitt presents a timeless exploration of the art of thinking, written in an engaging style that resonates with both young learners and seasoned professionals. Across eleven insightful chapters, culminating in a detailed annotated bibliography, Hazlitt meticulously guides readers through the essential steps of incorporating logic and context into their thought processes. The in-depth chapter on Reading and Thinking sheds light on the critical distinction between simply acquiring knowledge and using reading as a tool to spark genuine thought. For anyone who has ...

Step back in time to Easter Week of 1916, when Dublin became the battleground for the Easter Rising—a bold rebellion led by passionate Irish republicans determined to free their nation from British rule. This gripping account, penned by the talented Irish novelist James Stephens, offers a unique perspective from someone who lived and breathed the tumultuous atmosphere of the city during this pivotal moment in history. (Summary from Wikipedia and iremonger)

Dive into Marius the Epicurean, a thought-provoking philosophical novel by Walter Pater, first published in 1885. This richly crafted narrative explores Paters vision of the aesthetic life, celebrating beauty and its profound impact on human experience, while contrasting it with mere asceticism. The book laid foundational ideas for the Aesthetic movement, influencing iconic figures like Oscar Wilde, who was inspired by Pater during his time at Oxford. Experience the elegance of Paters prose as he invites you to ponder the pursuit of beauty as an essential ideal.

Explore the profound reflections of Kahlil Gibran, the Lebanese-American writer, poet, and mystic, through two of his captivating short books. Delve into themes of existence, purpose, and the essence of life, all intertwined with Gibrans unique poetic style. His most renowned work, The Prophet (1923), serves as a testament to his literary brilliance. In The Madman, journey through thoughts on love, ambition, and the human experience, while The Forerunner offers insights on wisdom, knowledge, and the complexities of life. A must-listen for anyone seeking deeper meaning and inspiration.

Dive into a delightful collection of seven enchanting stories, essays, and poems that capture the spirit of Christmas. Each piece brings a unique perspective on the season, perfect for cozying up by the fire. - Summary by David Wales

In this intriguing 1920s American classic, renowned public speaker and self-help figure Elsie Lincoln Benedict introduces her controversial system of Human Analysis. She asserts that humanity can be divided into five distinct sub-types, each characterized by unique traits and appearances that have evolved over time. Benedict aims to equip readers with the skills to identify these types and appreciate their inherent differences. Although her theories have been dismissed by the scientific community, this book remains a staple in its genre and continues to captivate audiences today. (Summary by ...

In 1906, renowned American orator William Jennings Bryan, alongside Francis Whiting Halsey, curated an extraordinary collection of historys most impactful speeches. This series spans from the ancient echoes of Greece to the modern voice of America, organized by both geographical region and time period. The third volume focuses on British orators, presenting their speeches in chronological order, beginning with a profound address from 710 AD about the Saints and culminating in 1777 with the poignant recognition of the futility of reclaiming the American colonies. Join us on this captivating ...

An updated version of the seminal 1994 classic volume on the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. Nearly every book with "wabi" or "wabi sabi" in the title is based on the concepts first elucidated in this book. Wabi-sabi is the quintessential Japanese aesthetic. It is a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. It is a beauty of things modest and humble. It is a beauty of things unconventional....

With this updated edition of his earlier book, A Place of My Own, listeners can revisit the inspired, intelligent, and often hilarious story of Pollan’s realization of a room of his own—a small, wooden hut, his “shelter for daydreams” — built with his admittedly unhandy hands. Inspired by both Thoreau and Mr. Blandings, A Place of My Own not only works to convey the history and meaning of all human building, it also marks the connections between our bodies, our minds, and the natural world.

Caesar and Cleopatra, a captivating play penned by George Bernard Shaw in 1898, first graced the stage in 1901 and was published alongside Captain Brassbounds Conversion and The Devils Disciple in the 1901 collection Three Plays for Puritans. The inaugural performance took place in Newcastle upon Tyne on March 15, 1899, with a notable London production at the Savoy Theatre in 1907. Shaw presents a compelling argument that it was not passion, but rather political ambition, that drew Cleopatra to Julius Caesar. He draws parallels between the Roman occupation of ancient Egypt and the British ...

Unapproved Conversations Podcast is where real discussions happen without filters or permission slips. Hosted by Watson, a broadcaster with over 20 years behind the mic, the show digs into news, sports, music, culture, and whatever else demands an honest take. This isn’t debate for sport or outrage for clicks. Some guests agree. Some don’t. Conversations stay civil—until they can’t. Every episode looks at all angles, challenges easy narratives, and leaves room for uncomfortable truths. If you’re tired of safe opinions and predictable conversations, you’re in the right place. ...

Founded in 1922, over the last century the BBC has become Britain’s most influential broadcaster. Its programs have been part of everyday life in the UK and around the world, from Its That Man Again to Life on Earth, Doctor Who, and Eastenders, reflecting social change and reshaping our culture. However, the BBC now faces significant challenges, which may even jeopardize its continued existence. This new book draws out these issues and looks at how similar threats—including hostile governments, management failures, and new technologies—were met and overcome in the past.