Jonathan Slovanco finds comfort and safety in his large family and in the Catholic Church. But as he matures, he realizes that a fundamental difference between him and other boys may alienate him from both his family and the Church. Coming to self-acceptance is difficult enough. Coupling that with the courage needed to reveal his genuine self to his family feels like a Sisyphean effort.
One of the most influential works of this century, The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays is a crucial exposition of existentialist thought. Influenced by works such as Don Juan and the novels of Kafka, these essays begin with a meditation on suicide; the question of living or not living in a universe devoid of order or meaning. With lyric eloquence, Albert Camus brilliantly posits a way out of despair, reaffirming the value of personal existence, and the possibility of life lived with dignity and authenticity.
Essays that Are Comfort Food for the Mind and Spirit Food for Thought: Essays on Mind and Spirit is a smorgasbord of essays that remind us to think and laugh, reflect and wonder, and rediscover the forgotten self. The broad range of topics-from the pitfalls of modern life to magical moments and from narcissism to ice cream slices-is both an intellectual feast and a thought-provoking romp through the human condition. Both finger food for the mind and a feast for discussion with others, it is a thoroughly delightful read that just might make the reader want another helping.
“It scares the hell out of me. Every day, politics gets closer to the reality you project.”—Bob Cone, inventor of Liquid LightThe second strike is on.John Galt's strike of the “men of the mind” brought down Roger Thompson's dictatorship and ushered in a conservative dream: no taxes, regulations, or social programs. The end of government services such as policing, firefighting, and infrastructure-building has created a vacuum filled by unscrupulous and unregulated businesses that few can afford. With no safety or labor standards, most Americans have abandoned their homes to work several jobs in the cities. After eight years of living in a dog-eat-dog wasteland, America has elected liberal Senator Laurence Sterling (D-VT) president.Mere days before Sterling's inauguration, twenty-six-year-old World Times reporter Evelyn Riley hears that in recent months both absenteeism and productivity have risen at General Motors, one of the two remaining automobile manufacturers in Detroit, and decides to investigate. Her mother's death decades before reminds her daily of the importance of family and human connections. Little does Evelyn know that John Galt is planning his return to fight Sterling, or that this time a new generation of labor leaders is preparing a strike of its own.“If you have ever read Atlas Shrugged, whether you liked it or not, you really should read this book.”—David Scott Moyer “I really like your quote 'I live for Humanity, and I ask Humanity to live for me (and for everyone else).' That's the way it should be.”—Paul Buchheit, professor of economic justice at DePaul UniversityFor more information, please view sisyphusshruggedbook.com or robertpeate.com.
