Essays

If you're an enthusiast of both photography and indigenous cultures, "Spirit Capture" is a marriage of these interests you wouldn't want to miss. The visual journey it offers, complemented by insights from historians and anthropologists, opens a window to the soul and history of Native American communities. It's not just a book; it's a tribute and a form of visual preservation.

Considering an adventure down under or just love uncovering hidden gems from your living room? "The Rough Guide to Australia" isn't your typical travel booklet—it's a comprehensive companion that’s as informative as it is engaging. With its thoughtful essays, you'll get lost in Australian culture and history long before you step foot on a plane. Plus, the detailed maps and off-the-path recommendations will serve as your treasure map for an authentic Aussie experience.

If you're fascinated by how stories shape our understanding of the world, "The Flight of the Wild Gander" by Joseph Campbell is a journey worth taking. Campbell's expertise in mythology illuminates the paths these ancient narratives have carved through history and into our collective psyche. It's an exploration of the enduring power of myth and its relevance in modern life, ideal for anyone seeking to delve into the complexities of human storytelling and cultural evolution.

Are you feeling stifled by today's materialistic world? "The Gift" could be a breath of fresh air, reigniting your belief in the transformative power of creativity. Lewis Hyde masterfully weaves anthropology and literature to show how acts of creativity can be much more than a commodity – they can be life-changing gifts that resonate deeply within our personal and communal lives. It's a compelling read for anyone looking to rediscover the value of creativity and its enduring influence on the human spirit.

ASIN: B000UXVDTE Title: An Intimate History of Humanity Product ID: 9780060171605 Product ID Type: ean Binding: hardcover Publication date: 1995

No single book has encompassed the vast scope of Edward Said's erudition quite like Power, Politics and Culture - a collection of his interviews from the last three decades. In these twenty-nine interviews, Said addresses everything from Palestine to Pavarotti, from his nomadic upbringing under colonial rule to his politica

A provocative work that explores the evolution of emotions and personal relationships through diverse cultures and time. "An intellectually dazzling view of our past and future."--Time magazineContents1. How humans have repeatedly lost hope, and how new encounters, and a new pair of spectacles, revive them2. How men and women have slowly learned to have interesting conversations3. How people searching for their roots are only beginning to look far and deep enough4. How some people have acquired an immunity to loneliness5. How new forms of love have been invented6. Why there has been more progress in cooking than in sex7. How the desire that men feel for women, and for other men, has altered through the centuries8. How respect has become more desirable than power9. How those who want neither to give orders nor to receive them can become intermediaries10. How people have freed themselves from fear by finding new fears11. How curiosity has become the key to freedom12. Why it has become increasingly difficult to destroy one’s enemies13. How the art of escaping from one’s troubles has developed, but not the art of knowing where to escape to14. Why compassion has flowered even in stony ground15. Why toleration has never been enough16. Why even the privileged are often somewhat gloomy about life, even when they can have anything the consumer society offers, and even after sexual liberation17. How travellers are becoming the largest nation in the world, and how they have learned not to see only what they are looking for18. Why friendship between men and women has been so fragile19. How even astrologers resist their destiny20. Why people have not been able to find the time to lead several lives21. Why fathers and their children are changing their minds about what they want from each other22. Why the crisis in the family is only one stage in the evolution of generosity23. How people choose a way of life, and how it does not wholly satisfy them24. How humans become hospitable to each other25. What becomes possible when soul-mates meet

How old are you?  The more thought you bring to bear on the question, the harder it is to answer.  For we age simultaneously in different ways: biologically, psychologically, socially. And we age within the larger framework of a culture, in the midst of a history that predates us and will outlast us. Looked at through that lens, many aspects of late modernity would suggest that we are older than ever, but Robert Pogue Harrison argues that we are also getting startlingly younger―in looks, mentality, and behavior. We live, he says, in an age of juvenescence. Like all of Robert Pogue Harrison's books, Juvenescence ranges brilliantly across cultures and history, tracing the ways that the spirits of youth and age have inflected each other from antiquity to the present. Drawing on the scientific concept of neotony, or the retention of juvenile characteristics through adulthood, and extending it into the cultural realm, Harrison argues that youth is essential for culture’s innovative drive and flashes of genius. At the same time, however, youth―which Harrison sees as more protracted than ever―is a luxury that requires the stability and wisdom of our elders and the institutions. “While genius liberates the novelties of the future,” Harrison writes, “wisdom inherits the legacies of the past, renewing them in the process of handing them down.” A heady, deeply learned excursion, rich with ideas and insights, Juvenescence could only have been written by Robert Pogue Harrison. No reader who has wondered at our culture's obsession with youth should miss it.

Who was the turn-of-the-century hipster? Who is free enough of the hipster taint to write its history without contempt or nostalgia? Why do we want to declare the neo-hipster moment over, when the hipster's "global brand" has just reached apotheosis? A panel of writers invited the public to join an investigation into the rise and fall of the contemporary hipster. Their debate took place at the New School University in New York City. In addition to the panel transcript, the book includes responses from critics Jennifer Baumgardner, Patrice Evans aka The Assimilated Negro, and Margo Jefferson, as well as essays on douchebags, Hasidism versus hipsters, the Hipster Feminine, and the sneaker shop Alife Rivington.

If you're intrigued by the complexities of Japanese media archetypes, "A Japanese Mirror" is a compelling read. Ian Buruma delves into the nuances of cultural heroes and villains, unveiling the societal underpinnings that shape them. It's a fascinating journey through Japan's beloved samurai legends, complex gender portrayals, and evolving family dynamics, layered with historical context. This book could give you a deep understanding of the weave between Japan's traditional roots and its modern narratives.

"The Great Cat Massacre and Other Essays" could be a good read for a history enthusiast looking to gain a deeper understanding of Enlightenment thinkers through unconventional stories and thought-provoking questions. Darnton's essays are not just informative; they are fascinating and almost absurd. Through these anecdotes, he provides insight into the minds of 18th century French printers, writers, and townspeople. Readers may find themselves laughing, arguing, and thinking deeply about the Enlightenment period.

The Sun, The Genome, and The Internet is a must-read for anyone interested in the potential of emerging technologies to make the world a better place. Dyson argues that solar energy, genetic engineering, and the internet have the power to create a more equal society, eliminating cultural isolation and restoring economic vitality to communities that have been devalued by globalization. His passionate conviction about the ethical uses of science make this book an inspiring call to action for people who want to be part of this transformative movement.

Two Cheers for Anarchism could be a good read for someone looking to challenge traditional structures of hierarchy. Scott offers a unique perspective on everyday social and political interactions that inspire readers to consider constructive anarchism. The book celebrates the ingenuity and judgement of individuals exercising their creative and moral capacities. Readers will enjoy relatable anecdotes and examples that touch on a wide range of subjects, including globalization, assembly-line production, and historical explanation.