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RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY


You would not enjoy Nietzsche, sir. He is fundamentally unsound.


- P. G. Wodehouse, Carry on, Jeeves


75032 TWELVE STEPS TO A COMPASSIONATE LIFE by Karen Armstrong


By one of our best living writers on religion, this passionately written journey through religion helps us rescue what remains wise from that which, to many in Britain today, no longer seems true. After her bestselling ‘A Case For God’, Armstrong makes the case for compassion, an urgent appeal to


establish empathy and altruism at the centre of our private and public lives. Ranging from the spiritualities of the world religions to the findings of contemporary neuroscience, she argues that compassion is hardwired into our brains yet is constantly restrained by our more primitive instincts for selfishness and survival. All faiths insist that the Golden Rule is the test of true spirituality - ‘Always treat others as you wish to be treated yourself.’ She demonstrates 12 practical steps which reveal both the inadequacies of our knowledge of ourselves and others and enable us to unlock our potential for understanding that can be translated into acts of kindness and charity. Love your enemy and make a difference in the world and lead a happier and more fulfilled life. 216pp in paperback. £12.99 NOW £6


75048 BUDDHAS OF THE CELESTIAL GALLERY: Postcard Book


by Romio Shrestha Rich in decoration and colour here are 24 detachable postcards in a softback


featuring a range of depictions of the Buddha by master Himalayan artist Romio Shrestha. Each thangka or spiritual painting depicts the life of the deity in eloquent detail and age-old Tibetan artistic tradition. With much use of malachite, lapis lazuli and marigold, and painted at times with three hairs of a cat’s tail.


£7.99 NOW £4


75080 THIS BOOK WILL MAKE YOU THINK: Philosophical Quotes and What They Mean


by Alain Stephen Enlightening for the amateur philosopher as well as for the more experienced practitioner, this book is for anyone who is interested in the pursuit of wisdom. It investigates this sometimes rather too weighty subject in an informative, concise


and accessible way. Examining the best-known quotes of the world’s most highly regarded philosophers, the author explains the theories behind the thoughts, clarifying such statements as: ‘No man’s knowledge here can go beyond his experience’... ‘If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him’... and ‘Whereof one cannot speak thereof one must be silent’. Here are such luminaries as Socrates, Plato, Locke, Kant, Marx and a host of others, and the ways in which they contributed to the development of philosophy. 224 pages with suggestions for further reading. £12.99 NOW £5


74663 CHRISTIANITY: The First Three


Thousand Years by Diarmaid MacCulloch Perhaps once in a generation a historian produces a work that redefines his field, an electrifying of scholarship that is conveyed with commanding skill which simply demands to be read. This is one such book. Staggering in its ambition, it follows the course of Christianity from its origins in the Hebrew Bible, a thousand years before the actual coming of Christ, to the present day, and covers the entire world, following the three main strands of the Christian faith - Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant. One of the book’s purposes is to teach the modern reader the facts, many of which have become forgotten over time, about how Jesus’ message spread around the world and how the New Testament was formed. We follow its progress across the globe, filling in the often neglected accounts of conversion and confrontation in Asia and Africa, and we learn how faith galvanised America, charting the rise of Evangelism from its roots in Germany and England, discover Christianity’s driving role in the Enlightenment and the age of exploration and how it shaped the course of the two world wars. Here are monks and crusaders, heretics and saints, slavers and abolitionists, and Church and State and the uneasy truce between them. Today both


believers and non-believers are deeply engaged by questions of religion, faith and tradition, how atrocities have been and continue to be committed in God’s name and the philosophical and cultural questions from all sides. A colossal 1178pp, with 68 colour and b/w plates plus maps.


$45 NOW £12.50


74690 THE SHINING ONES: The World’s Most Powerful Secret Society Revealed by Philip Gardiner and Gary Osborn


Be prepared! “Everything you have held to be true will be challenged here” say the authors, and how right they are! While researching for another book, the authors gradually became aware of a series of what


appeared to be coincidences and peculiar similarities between much of the symbolism of the world’s disparate beliefs and creeds down the ages. When they stripped out the religious element of all that symbolism it was like suddenly lifting a veil and re-reading ancient texts of the world’s ancient cultures immediately revealed an entirely new set of meanings. Their contention is that before the dawn of recorded civilisation a mysterious priesthood developed a method of attaining spiritual ecstasy. These priests were called the Shining Ones, members of an advanced culture that was almost lost, but whose wisdom and power has endured, carried across the ages by a secret group of initiates. Their purpose? In part to serve humanity, in part to control the development of the world. Before you start muttering darkly about conspiracy theorist nut-jobs, read on. Even if their interpretation is only fractionally correct, there are still an awful lot of indications that their ideas deserve attention. 14 colour plates, drawings, diagrams and other illus. 2010 fully revised and updated 316pp paperback.


£8.99 NOW £6


73872 CHRISTIANS AND THE FALL OF ROME by Edward Gibbon


‘The primitive Christians perpetually trod on mystic ground, and their minds were exorcised by the habits of believing the most extraordinary events.’ Gibbon’s subversive and iconoclastic description of the rise of Christianity inspired outrage upon publication. It remains one of the most eloquent and damning indictments of the delusory nature of


faith. Penguin paperback with embossed cover. 91pp. $8.95 NOW £2.50


59992 A BUDDHIST BIBLE: With the Light of


Asia introduced by Richard Hayes ‘A Buddhist Bible’ has inspired and delighted readers since its publication in 1934. It contains key texts from the Zen (or Chan) Buddhist tradition. The Lankavatara Sutra shaped the teachings of the Zen (originally Lanka) school. The Diamond Sutra and the Sutra of Transcendental Wisdom are key texts from the canon of Mahayana Buddhism. The Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch tells the remarkable story of Huineng, the sixth Chan patriarch, and is the basis for all later schools of Chan and Zen Buddhism. ‘The Light of Asia’ is a charming poetic retelling of the Buddha’s life by the Victorian poet Sir Edwin Arnold. 308pp in paperback. ONLY £4


73045 SAINTS by Scot Bower Containing engaging narratives, prayers and feature boxes, from Polycarp to St Francis, Benedict to Aidan, Brigid to Clare and many others in between, here are the personalities of both Western and Eastern saints, from the time of the Early Church Fathers through to the mid-13th century. 128 pages, colour illus. £9.99 NOW £2.25


73814 CHURCH MISERICORDS AND BENCH ENDS by Richard Hayman


Misericords, the ledges or ‘mercy seats’ provided for the comfort of the clergy while they sang the divine offices of the medieval church, and the benches installed in parish churches in the later middle ages, are the objects of a large proportion of the surviving medieval woodcarving in Britain. Mythology, humour and satire, everyday lives and people were all popular scenes. This super Shire publication outlines the history of church seating, the status of the craftsmen and the influences on their work and concludes with a list of places to visit. 32 page softback, illus.


£3.50 NOW £2.50 73875 AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO: Selected


Writings foreword by Francine du Plessix Gray A foundation work that shaped Western religious thought and culture, Augustine of Hippo (354-430) is one of the most influential figures in the history of the church. A bishop, philosopher and doctor of the church whose thought has moulded the Western tradition, Augustine was deeply spiritual and his writings emphasised the soul’s experience of God in its depth. The book features selections from his writings including Confessions and The City of God. His writings give joy and solace. 146pp, paperback.


£8.99 NOW £4.50


74656 TREASURES OF THE BUDDHA: The Glories of Sacred Asia by Tom Lowenstein


Here is the greatest art of Asian Buddhism, portrayed in more than 160 superb colour photographs and gripping text. This incomparable volume includes gorgeous devotional paintings and manuscript illuminations, colossal statues and sculptures, ornate mandalas, intricate metalwork and fabulous monasteries and temples. There are unprecedented views of the great Buddhist sites, among them the astonishing Indian caves of Ajanta and Ellora, the glittering monuments of the Sukhotai rulers in Thailand and the stone-carved microcosm of the universe at Angkor, one-time heart of the Khmer empire. From the extraordinary temple- mountain of Borobudur in Java to the transcendent simplicity of a Zen garden we can trace the growth of different schools of Buddhism, explore the diversity of Buddhist art and practices in cultures across Asia, and take a close look at stunning examples of superb craftsmanship. 224 very large pages, map, and colour photos. Softback. £12.99 NOW £6


74414 SOLOMON’S TEMPLE: Myth and History by William Hamblin and David Seely


The Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem, built over 3,000 years ago was a real place, an actual building, which was destroyed more than once, the last time by the Romans in AD70. A small royal cultic centre in a Near Eastern kingdom of limited wealth and similar in size, form and splendour to the surrounding Canaanite temples, it was unremarkable and a rather humble affair compared to the temples of Egypt and Mesopotamia. Since its destruction the Temple has been symbolically recreated in such edifices as the Hagia Sofia in Istanbul, the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, the headquarters of the Templars, many medieval cathedrals and even the Freemasons, and its site remains one of the most sacred places on earth for nearly half of mankind - Jews, Christians and Muslims. Yet


infamously, it is also the site of the first murder, where Cain slew his brother, Abel, according to biblical legend. This magnificent volume boasts 202 illustrations, mostly in colour, and draws upon holy texts and mystic writings, works of art and architecture, modern reconstructions and photos. 224pp.


£19.95 NOW £7.50 74643 AQUARIAN GOSPEL OF JESUS THE


CHRIST: The Missing Years by Levi Dowling What happened to Jesus between the ages of 12 and 30? Where did he go, whom did he meet and how did he increase ‘in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man’? The synoptic gospels tell us nothing about these missing years. The ‘Aquarian Gospel’ was revealed to the highly gifted spiritual and psychic medium the Revd. Dr Levi H. Dowling (1844-1911). It tells us how the young Jesus was keen to prepare for his great Mission and wish to learn about the ancient religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Taking the widely- travelled Silk Route he journeyed to India and Tibet, returning via Persia, Assyria, Greece and Egypt. Jesus’ journey has been generally accepted in Tibet, Nepal and Northern India and Kashmir for over 2,000 years. This volume presents chapters from the much longer ‘Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ’. 184pp. £7.99 NOW £4


74509 POWER OF THEN by James Bremner Bremner believes we can all be inspired by the wisdom of 14 world thinkers including Plato and Jung in the west and, in the east, the eighth century Buddhist and Daoist Li Bai and the 13th century Muslim Jalaluddin Rumi. Two of the most popular thinkers in the collection are the 15th century English mystics Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe. The 12th century abbess and musician Hildegard of Bingen was another mystic who wrote down her visions. The classical philosopher Diogenes lived in a barrel for long periods to demonstrate his freedom and the 20th century theosophist Krishnamurti encouraged people to remove conflict from their lives. The 17th century Jesuit de Caussade believed that the divine author was writing the book of our lives in our hearts. 234pp, paperback.


£10.99 NOW £3


74548 AGE OF ABSURDITY by Michael Foley


The thorny problem of happiness is the subject of this witty investigation into how fulfilment eludes us as we work, love and grow old in the 21st century. Foley proposes a strategy of not just accepting but embracing modern life, by learning that absurdity is the new sublime. ‘Literary reading can deepen and extend experience by


improving understanding of the self, the world and other people. Detachment, busyness, responsibility, this is philosophy for today. 260pp in paperback.


£8.99 NOW £4 74558 MASKS OF CHRIST


by Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince By the authors of The Templar Revelation, the sub-title of this work is ‘Behind the Lies and Cover-Ups About the Man Believed to be God’. In a dramatic reconstruction of Jesus’s life, they uncover the shocking extent to which Christians have been deliberately misled about the founding figure of their religion for over two millennia. ‘A succession of discoveries in the past two centuries has shown that many of the Gospel stories are mistaken or distorted.’ ‘Of all the masks given to Christ, these two are the most critical. Whether he was essentially Jewish or pagan is the single most important question that can ever be asked about Christ... It is the backbone of this book.’ 430pp in paperback.


£12.99 NOW £5


74571 WHY DID JESUS, MOSES, THE BUDDHA & MOHAMMED CROSS THE ROAD? Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World by Brian McLaren


Faith inspires, guides and gives meaning to the lives of many, many people in our world. But why does it so often make human beings less peaceful, less kind and less understanding towards those of other faiths? The author tackles some of the hardest questions about living in a multi-faith world, and shares a hopeful vision of reconciliation and collaboration that is rooted in Jesus, his message and his way. Is it possible to discover, live, teach and practise a Christian identity that is both strong, yet benevolent towards other faiths? He presents an ‘integrated vision’ that he believes to be ‘persuasive, coherent and beautiful’. 326 paperback pages. £12.99 NOW £4.50


Religion & Philosophy 29


74652 THE SONG OF SOLOMON AND PSALMS: Sacred Texts, Poetry of Divine and Spiritual Love by Gerald Benedict


A wonderful collection of some of the best-loved poetic texts of the Old Testament as translated in the King James Bible. The Song of Solomon, also known as The Song of Songs, features beautiful verses


of love that offer an allegory of the relationship between God and the Children of Israel - exquisite poetry full of tenderness and humanity. The Psalms include hymns of praise and thanksgiving, profound meditations, moving laments that have inspired mystics of various faiths. 219pp.


£6.99 NOW £3


30323 HOLY QUR’AN by Abdullah Yusuf Ali The Holy Qu’ran (also known as The Koran) is the sacred book of Islam. It is the word of God whose truth was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years. The first full compilation was by Abu Bakar, the first Caliph, and it was then recompiled in the original dialect by the third Caliph Uthman, after the best reciters had fallen in battle. Muslims believe that the truths of the Qur’an are fully and authentically revealed only in the original classical Arabic. This translation, by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, is considered to be the most faithful rendering available in English. 562pp. Paperback. ONLY £4


74629 I CHING translated by James Legge With the original introduction and edited here by Laura Roth, here is the classic extraordinary work of history, philosophy and prophecy that has survived for thousands of years. This new edition includes the main text and all seven appendices as well as interpretations and commentary specifically geared towards contemporary readers. Contemplate the passages highlighted in red as you look at every aspect of self improvement from career to love and family. The lined pages for you to write on are to encourage reflective exercise. Beautifully designed and pocket sized, 528pp in softback. £9.99 NOW £3


74646 CONFESSIONS OF ST. AUGUSTINE


by St. Augustine of Hippo With an introduction by Revd. Canon Dr. Philip Nobel and translated by Edward Pusey, the text was first published in 1904 and this is the beautifully designed Sacred Text edition. St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430AD) was an exceptional Christian Father and theologian who lived in the last


days of the Roman Empire. As a young man he was a Manichaean Gnostic, but while living in Milan, the oratory of Bishop Ambrose led the conversion to the Christian church in 386. He settled at Hippo in North Africa where he founded a community and became its bishop. His Confessions vividly recount his intimate spiritual experiences in the search for Truth which led to his conversion. Here is one of the most valued books in the whole of Christian literature. 472pp.


£6.99 NOW £3 73049 SONGS OF PRAISE THE NATION’S


FAVOURITE CHURCHES by Andrew Barr Visit and explore 30 buildings that have become much- loved landmarks. Many of the churches appearing in the book were nominated by audiences who listen each week to the BBC Sunday breakfast shows from their local radio stations. Between them, they provide a picture of the wide sweep of church life within Britain today, and the book tries to describe them through the eyes of the people who love them. The author captures the lives of those who built, developed and shaped them, as well as offering human interest stories about the folk who worship in them today. 127 pages 24.5cm x 20cm, over 100 colour photos.


£14.99 NOW £3


74650 PLATO’S REPUBLIC: Abridged and Modernised by Alan Jacobs


Plato’s seminal work ‘The Republic’ is the crowning achievement of his art and philosophy. It is the first human attempt at the intellectual creation of an ideal state. In the dialogues, Socrates discourses with his companions on educational theory, the place of poetry, music, mathematics and art in society,


ethical doctrines, the concept of justice, and the foundations of political thought. The book is also a critique of political systems such as democracy and oligarchy. These readable dialogues are the summation of the thought of one of Western civilisation’s greatest philosophers. This edition is an abridgement and modernisation of the work of Thomas Taylor (1758- 1835). 220pp.


£7.99 NOW £3.50


73769 THE BIBLE A HISTORY: The Making and Impact of the Bible


by Stephen M. Miller and Robert V. Huber This authoritative and beautifully illustrated volume explains how the Old and New Testaments were written and put together. It describes the key figures in the Bible’s development from papyrus to illuminated manuscript to printed tome, and how the text was disseminated across the world. The text brings the story and the most important people involved in it to life. It shows how, over the centuries, the Bible has inspired the whole range of human emotion and experience, including the finest painting, sculpture, literature and music. There are sections on the oral tradition, the use of papyrus, the Jewish Bible, first-century letter writing and Jerome’s Latin Bible. 256 pages 29cm x 22cm, lovely illustrations in colour and b/w, with timeline, maps, charts and special features. $29.95 NOW £13


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