Books For Adults and Teens

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A definitive look at how geometry changed the world of art forever. Geometry & Art follows the artists of the Renaissance, whose search for perspective and visual depth led them to the study of geometry. Influencing the work of artists such as Paulo Uccello, Piero della Francesco, and Leonardo Da Vinci, this breakthrough quickly spread to Germany, where a passion for polyhedral-based geometrical designs flourished as a distinct new art in the mid-16th century. A period of enormous political and cultural change, the Renaissance empowered artists to draw upon a blossoming revival of classical art, philosophy, and culture.

At the same time, a wealth of new ideas and concepts were flowing into Europe from the Islamic Middle East. And it was this flood of revolutionary new thought that would lead to the syntheses of mathematics, geometry, and art that characterizes the painting, sculpture and visual language of the Renaissance. This authoritative volume uses engaging text, compelling historical accounts, and 250 beautiful illustrations to immerse readers in the fundamental Renaissance forms which, although conceived over five-hundred years ago, still have the capacity to awe and inspire us with their beauty.

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AUTHOR BIO

David Wade is a sculptor, photographer, and author who has written extensively on the intersection of geometry, art, and design.

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Introducing the insights of the Buddha, universal and timeless inspiration for our search for true happiness. A deluxe cloth edition with a foil blocked sticker and a removable insight card so you can carry the Buddha’s teachings everywhere you go, this beautifully packaged collection is the perfect gift for the wisdom seeker in your life. Beginning with the root of human suffering, or “twelve-linked chain of causation,” and ending with the transcendence of enlightenment, this carefully curated volume presents the great arch of Buddhist doctrine as told by its earliest practitioners, including the Buddha himself. “My Teaching,” said the Buddha, “is about suffering and how to end it.” Mirroring the 10 stages of the bodhisattva’s path of awakening, the book’s ten chapters take readers on a spiritual/philosophical journey through the Buddha’s cycle of healing, from ignorance and suffering, to awareness and enlightenment.

Combining extracts from the early Pali canon and the later Mahayana sutras, as well as traditional Buddhist tales, poignant Zen koans (riddles) and gorgeous atmospheric photographs all prefaced by an informative introduction that traces the history of Buddha’s enduring teachings back to the life of the Gautama Buddha, Teachings of the Buddha is a richly woven tapestry of wisdom, insight and expertise, and an indispensable volume for practicing Buddhists and beginners alike.

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AUTHOR BIO

Desmond Biddulph is the author of 1001 Pearls of Buddhist Wisdom and is now President of the Buddhist Society, founded in Britain in 1924. He lives in London with his wife and co-author, Darcy Flynn. Darcy Flynn, a film producer, has been a student of Buddhism for many years. John Cleare is an internationally renowned photographer specializing in mountains and landscapes.

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A luxuriously illustrated and silk-bound, foil-blocked edition of this classic Chinese text on the principles of Taoism for all who seek a more natural way of living. Written in about the sixth century BC, The Tao Te Ching (or Daode Jing) is the masterpiece of the Chinese sage Laozi (or Lao Tzu), a record-keeper at the Zhou court, a contemporary of Confucius and the founder of Taoism. Although the book was written more than 2,500 years ago, and within a radically different culture, its concepts and teachings have never been more relevant to the Western world than they are today. Laozi offers profound wisdom, arguing that humankind is but a tiny part of an inexhaustible greatness, and that individuals can attain true fulfillment by striving to live in harmony not only with others but also with their natural environment. Organizing the work into 81 verses divided into two parts, Laozi sets out a path (tao) by which we can tune ourselves into the nature of the universe.

His axioms are intended as a means to achieve transcendence and a life of integrity and balance. Among his insights are the ideas that flexibility and suppleness are superior to rigidity and strength; and that self-absorption and self-importance are vain and self-destructive. These suggestions for how people might live better within the world around them are arguably even more relevant today than they were nearly three millennia ago. This illustrated edition of a classic work is an essential addition to any collection of the world’s classic texts.

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AUTHOR BIO

Laozi or Lao Tzu was a Chinese philosopher, believed to have lived in the 6th century BC. He is considered the author of the Taoist classic – the Tao Te Ching, which offers an iconoclastic spiritual philosophy, based on an underlying unity of the universe. Chad Hansen, a specialist in ancient Chinese thought, is Professor in Chinese Philosophy at the Centre of Asian Studies at the University of Hong Kong. He serves on the editorial board of Philosophy East and West. He is the co-author of The Complete Idiots Guide to Taoism (2002) and author of Language and Logic in Ancient China (1983) and A Daoist Theory of Chinese Thought (1992).

DESCRIPTION

Not since The Shack and The Alchemist has there been a spiritual work that captivates people from all cultures with its profound message. A worldwide publication phenomenon that now includes 28 countries and 24 languages, The Slave by Anand Dilvar is a story that has to be read and shared. When the story begins, the narrator is trapped in a vegetative state following a terrible accident that has paralyzed his whole body. He is unable to communicate with those around him. Cut off from family and friends he begins an inner conversation with his spirit guide, a conversation which takes him on a journey of self-realization and through a near-death experience, eventually bringing him to a new state of awareness, and an understanding of his deepest self.

In a world where so many feel that they have lost their way, The Slave, often harrowing but ultimately uplifting, will provide answers to all who wrestle with the eternal questions about the real purpose of our time on earth and will encourage reflection upon the direction of our own lives. Written with an engaging simplicity, this truly profound book has the power to change lives. In fact to use the author’s own words, it is designed to shake, shudder, and wake us up. It is a book that has nothing to do with success, social recognition, or with the accumulation of goods. Instead, it has everything to do with joy, love, and peace.

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AUTHOR BIO

Anand Dilvar’s fascination with ancient and new philosophies and techniques of human growth has led him to more than eighteen countries, where he has visited and met spiritual teachers in their communities. He founded the Vision Quest Centre in Valle Bravo, Mexico which people from all around the world visit, and where, for over fifteen years the author has run conferences, retreats, and seminars. In Mexico, he is regularly invited to appear on radio and TV to share his approach to what he calls the Revolution in Consciousness.

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A fascinating selection of sacred Jewish and Christian texts excluded from the Old and New Testaments by their compilers, The Lost Bible contains unofficial scriptures, alternative versions of biblical events and texts from the controversial Gnostic movement, long condemned by Church Fathers as false and heretical. Highly accessible and superbly illustrated, this book presents an astonishing range of powerful and beautiful writings, rich in character, incident, spiritual profundity, and literary merit. In the centuries around the beginning of the Common Era, the Jewish people drew spiritual inspiration from hundreds of sacred stories, not just those that make up the Hebrew Bible we know today. Early Christianity also possessed a wealth of writings considered authoritative; many of these did not become part of the New Testament, although they remained popular among believers and were important in spreading the faith.

After the Jewish and Christian canons were established, many of these works disappeared into obscurity, some of them suppressed by prominent figures within the burgeoning Christian Church. Some writings were entirely lost, while others survived in translations; some were widely known, while others circulated only among small groups and sects. But many continued to animate and influence the faithful and provided a rich source of popular legends and traditions. With deft and profound scholarship, the late Professor J.R. Porter presents the general reader with a selection of these extraordinary and beautiful works, assessing their context, character, and importance. More than 100 text extracts are presented and discussed, ranging from what are claimed to be the very words written by Eve herself to a treasury of legends that include the strange miracles and violent outbursts of the boy Jesus. Each entry consists of an introduction and an enlightening commentary, alongside the translated extract in clear, up-to-date language.

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AUTHOR BIO

The late J.R. Porter was professor Emeritus of Theology at the University of Exeter. His publications include The Oxford Companion to the Bible, Harper’s Bible Dictionary, and The Illustrated Guide to the Bible and Jesus Christ.

DESCRIPTION

From the Garden of Eden to the fiery book of Revelation, The Illustrated Guide to The Bible distills the essence of the earthshaking tome that helped shape the Western world and continues to offer inspiration, guidance, and comfort to billions of people worldwide. With his extensive scholarship, lively storytelling, and unrivaled passion for the subject matter, Porter brings to vibrant life the figures, places, episodes, and themes of arguably the greatest stories ever told. Offering depth and clarity, The Illustrated Guide to the Bible not only brings the many characters and events to life, it also explores the underlying significance of topics and explains the meaning of important themes and symbols. Including a highly useful book-by-book summary of what is still the most widely distributed book in the world, this is an essential reference work for any home or library.

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AUTHOR BIO

The late J.R. Porter was professor Emeritus of Theology at the University of Exeter. His publications include The Oxford Companion to the Bible, Harper’s Bible Dictionary, and The Illustrated Guide to the Bible and Jesus Christ.

DESCRIPTION

An essential guide to one of history’s most celebrated and misunderstood iconoclasts. Jesus Christ combines authoritative scholarship, narrative verve, and superb color illustrations to produce an accessible overview of the life and significance of one of the most influential, complex, and charismatic figures in history. Drawing upon the Gospels and other evidence to present a full and comprehensive account of Jesus’ life, Porter recounts the miracles and other extraordinary episodes, including historical and mythical precedents, to trace the changing interpretations of Jesus through the ages, from revolutionary to mystic to prophet. Including a richly illustrated commentary on Jesus’ many depictions in art by an expert on Christian iconography, this is an essential reference work for any library or home.

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AUTHOR BIO

The late J.R. Porter was professor Emeritus of Theology at the University of Exeter. His publications include The Oxford Companion to the Bible, Harper’s Bible Dictionary, and The Illustrated Guide to the Bible and Jesus Christ.

DESCRIPTION

During peak season the “It’s a Small World” theme song plays an average of 1,200 times. There have been four babies born at Disneyland — all of them girls. Mad Tea Party is the attraction most responsible for causing park guests to lose their lunch. Cast members refer to this as a Code V, and to clean up the mess, they cover it with Barf Dust, a green, kitty litter-like substance that enables it to be swept up easily. The final plunge of Splash Mountain sends guests 45 mph down a 52-foot drop, at a 47-degree angle making it the fastest ride in the park (by comparison, Space Mountain never goes more than 30.3 mph).

Written for the Mouseketeer in all of us, Who Knew? Disneyland delves into the curious quirks behind the happiest place on Earth to delight the first-time visitor and surprise even the most die-hard fan. Exploring every aspect of the park from its history and personalities to the landscaping, design, and architecture this collection of facts and figures, statistics and specifics goes beyond the obvious to reveal the tidbits we have yet to discover.

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AUTHOR BIO

David Hoffman has been a television writer, a creative consultant, and an on-camera reporter for ABC and FOX covering trends and popular culture. He is the author of numerous pop culture books, including Kid Stuff, which celebrates classic toys, and The Easy-Bake Oven Gourmet. He lives in Los Angeles.

DESCRIPTION

Did you know the word “nerd” was coined by Dr. Seuss? And you’re no doubt familiar with Mark Twain the writer, journalist, and all around smarty-pants, but did you know he also invented the bra strap? Jam-packed with fun facts culled from the offbeat corners of the pop culture world, Who Knew? is the sidesplitting compendium of useless knowledge and frivolous facts that you’ve been missing in your life. With topics ranging from movies and music, to food, fashion, architecture and everything in-between, Who Knew? collects tidbits and trivia about well-known people, places and products to let you in on the obscure, weird, and quirky side of the world you thought you knew so well.

Was the Wizard of Oz really named after a filing cabinet? How long does it take for a Twinkie to explode in the microwave? How many O’s are there in a can of SpaghettiO’s? These are the questions that have plagued literally no one ever, but will endlessly delight and entertain you nonetheless. Part pop culture, part pop quiz, Who Knew? is the book you never knew you needed, about all the stuff you never needed to know.

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AUTHOR BIO

David Hoffman has been a television writer, a creative consultant, and an on-camera reporter for ABC and FOX covering trends and popular culture. He is the author of numerous pop culture books, including Kid Stuff, which celebrates classic toys, and The Easy-Bake Oven Gourmet. He lives in Los Angeles.