The Pursuit of Happiness and the American Regime

The Pursuit of Happiness and the American Regime

Author: Elizabeth Amato

Publisher: Lexington Books

Published: 2018-02-28

Total Pages: 199

ISBN-13: 1498554202

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The Declaration of Independence claims that individuals need liberty to pursue happiness, but provides little guidance on the “what” of happiness. Happiness studies and liberal theory are incomplete guides. Happiness studies offer insights into what makes people happy but happiness policy risks becoming doctrinaire. Liberal theory is better on personal liberty, but weak on the “what” of happiness. My argument is that American novelists are surer guides on the pursuit of happiness. Treated as political thinkers, my book offers a close reading of four American novelists, Tom Wolfe, Walker Percy, Edith Wharton, and Nathaniel Hawthorne, and their critique of the pursuit of happiness. With a critical and friendly eye, they present the shortcomings of pursuing happiness in a liberal nation but also present alternatives and correctives possible in America. Our novelists point us toward each other in friendship as our greatest resource to guide us towards happiness.


The Decameron, Volume I

The Decameron, Volume I

Author: Giovanni Boccaccio

Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan

Published: 2024-08-12

Total Pages: 351

ISBN-13:

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"The Decameron, Volume I" by Giovanni Boccaccio is the first part of the renowned collection of tales written in the 14th century. This volume introduces readers to the framework of the narrative, set against the backdrop of the Black Death in Florence. The story begins with ten young people—seven women and three men—who escape the plague by retreating to a countryside villa. To pass the time, they each agree to tell a story every day for ten days, with each story centered around a specific theme. The tales they tell vary widely, covering topics such as love, wit, and moral lessons, and offer a vivid snapshot of medieval society and its values. Boccaccio's stories are known for their humor, eroticism, and keen observations of human nature. Each narrative is a window into different aspects of life and society, blending realism with the fantastical. The characters' diverse experiences and the lively storytelling create a rich tapestry of medieval life. "The Decameron, Volume I" sets the stage for the full collection, offering readers an engaging and entertaining introduction to Boccaccio's exploration of human experience and societal norms. It remains a classic work of literature with enduring appeal and significance.


The Abbot & the Wise Man

The Abbot & the Wise Man

Author: Michael Wise

Publisher: Xlibris Corporation

Published: 2010-12-07

Total Pages: 185

ISBN-13: 1456828207

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This book begins with an imaginary meeting with my Lord Abbot John Draper III of Christ Church priory and continues with comments from the Abbot at appropriate moments in the story...


A Political Companion to Walker Percy

A Political Companion to Walker Percy

Author: Peter Augustine Lawler

Publisher: University Press of Kentucky

Published: 2013-06-01

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 0813141907

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In 1962, Walker Percy (1916--1990) made a dramatic entrance onto the American literary scene when he won the National Book Award for fiction with his first novel, The Moviegoer. A physician, philosopher, and devout Catholic, Percy dedicated his life to understanding the mixed and somewhat contradictory foundations of American life as a situation faced by the wandering and won-dering human soul. His controversial works combined existential questioning, scientific investigation, the insight of the southern stoic, and authentic religious faith to produce a singular view of humanity's place in the cosmos that ranks among the best American political thinking. An authoritative guide to the political thought of this celebrated yet complex American author, A Political Companion to Walker Percy includes seminal essays by Ralph C. Wood, Richard Reinsch II, and James V. Schall, S.J., as well as new analyses of Percy's view of Thomistic realism and his reaction to the American pursuit of happiness. Editors Peter Augustine Lawler and Brian A. Smith have assembled scholars of diverse perspectives who provide a necessary lens for interpreting Percy's works. This comprehensive introduction to Percy's "American Thomism" is an indispensable resource for students of American literature, culture, and politics.


Return to The Dingle

Return to The Dingle

Author: Howard of Warwick

Publisher: The Funny Book Company

Published: 2022-12-23

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13: 1913383490

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Medieval Crime Comedy is now a thing. With multiple No 1 Best Sellers and nearly a quarter of a million sales, Howard of Warwick continues to muck about with the detective monk. But this one is a very funny sort of medieval mystery. Brother Hermitage wants there to be a murder? This can’t be right. In all of his previous excursions, he’s been pretty meticulous about avoiding the things. When an instruction arrives from the Normans to find a missing person, Hermitage seems keen to shirk his duty. At least that’s a familiar theme. But he’s the King’s Investigator, he doesn’t do missing persons, that must be someone else’s job. Knowing where the person may have gone missing might explain the trepidation. The clue’s in the title; De’Ath’s Dingle. That grim and dreadful monastery, which looms over Hermitage’s life like a falling loom, is calling him back. Perhaps he can try not listening. It will only be full of the old familiar faces, up to their old revolting tricks. And if someone has gone missing there, all hope is gone. But a shadow gathers in the west and the monastery is falling into darkness. Well, more darkness than normal. With Wat, Cwen and Bart, Hermitage tramps his reluctant path back to the Dingle, always hopeful that someone might be murdered on the way as a distraction. When he finally gets there, things are not at all as they should be. They should be truly awful, but this is simply peculiar. There is obviously something going on. Hermitage can see it, so why doesn’t anyone else believe him? And even when there is a murder, it doesn’t help much. Previous volumes have received comment. “Very good indeed, brilliant” BBC 5* Everything has to stop for a Hermitage book! Hilariously funny. 5* Yet another hilarious adventure for Brother Hermitage and his companions. 5* All the tales of the adventures of Hermitage the monk are genuinely funny and contain an intriguing plot


The Gathering Storm

The Gathering Storm

Author: Kate Elliott

Publisher: Astra Publishing House

Published: 2004-02-03

Total Pages: 777

ISBN-13: 1101639814

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Set in an alternate Europe where bloody conflicts rage, the fifth book of the Crown of Stars epic fantasy series continues the world-shaking conflict for the survival of humanity The long-dreaded cataclysm is about to descend on the world as the lost land of the Aoi returns to the Earth from which it was cast forth millennia ago. And though Liath has at last found her way back to Earth, she knows disaster will soon follow her. Yet just how little time remains to avert humanity’s destruction she discovers to her horror only when she learns that her brief stay in the bespelled land has actually kept her from her family and allies for nearly four years. In that time, Sanglant has mobilized an army and journeyed to the land of the griffins, intent on forging an alliance to stand against the forces which are determined to rework the spell that originally exiled the Aoi and their lands from the world. Alain, caught up by Liath as she makes her way back to her own world and time, has been returned to the present bereft of all that matters to him. And though for a while he finds refuge in a monastery, he is soon condemned to a terrible fate. His only hope of rescue lies with the Eika leader Stronghand, who has begun a campaign of conquest into the human lands. And even as these diverse forces struggle to avert total ruin, the mathematici, led by Anne and Hugh, strive to re-create the original spell which exiled the ancient Aoi, neither knowing nor caring that their magical workings could tear their world apart….


The Decameron: Collector's Edition: 3 Different Translations by John Payne, John Florio & J.M. Rigg

The Decameron: Collector's Edition: 3 Different Translations by John Payne, John Florio & J.M. Rigg

Author: Giovanni Boccaccio

Publisher: Good Press

Published: 2023-11-27

Total Pages: 2815

ISBN-13:

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Giovanni Boccaccio's 'The Decameron: Collector's Edition' is a timeless masterpiece that consists of 100 bawdy, witty, and thought-provoking stories told by ten young Florentines who have fled the city to escape the Black Death. This literary work is written in a frame narrative style, showcasing Boccaccio's innovative storytelling techniques and his keen understanding of human nature. These tales cover a wide range of topics such as love, betrayal, humor, and morality, making them relevant to readers of all ages. The book serves as a vivid portrayal of 14th century Italy, offering valuable insights into the social and cultural norms of the time. The three different translations by John Payne, John Florio, and J.M. Rigg presented in this collector's edition provide readers with diverse interpretations and perspectives on Boccaccio's classic work. Each translation captures the essence of the original text while adding unique nuances that enhance the reading experience. Giovanni Boccaccio's 'The Decameron' is a must-read for lovers of classic literature, history, and storytelling, as it continues to captivate audiences with its timeless tales and universal themes.