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Notes from Underground is an 1864 novella by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Notes is considered by many to be the first existentialist novel. It presents itself as an excerpt from the rambling memoirs of a bitter, isolated, unnamed narrator (generally referred to by critics as the Underground Man) who is a retired civil servant living in St. Petersburg. The first part of the story is told in monologue form, or the underground man's diary, and attacks emerging Western philosophy, especially Nikolay Chernyshevsky's What Is to Be Done?. The second part of the book is called Àpropos of the Wet Snow, and describes certain events that, it seems, are destroying and sometimes renewing the underground man, who acts as a first person, unreliable narrator....

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Siddhartha is one of the great philosophical novels. Profoundly insightful, it is also a beautifully written story that begins as Siddhartha, son of an Indian Brahman, leaves his family and begins a lifelong journey towards Enlightenment. On the way he faces the entire range of human experience and emotion: he lives with ascetics, meets Gotama the Buddha, learns the art of love from Kamala the courtesan, and is transformed by the simple philosophy of the ferryman Vasudeva whose wisdom comes not from learned teachings but from observing the River. Herman Hesse (1877-1962) was a German-Swiss novelist, poet, and painter. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1946. This recording contains a sound clip from http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/samplesViewSingle.php?id=15362 (Summary by Adrian Praetzellis)...

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Fiction

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The Wit and Humor of America is a 10 volume series. In this, the sixth volume, 55 short stories and poems have been gathered from 42 authors. This volume is sure to delight listeners. (Summary by Linette Geisel)...

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Adventure, Fiction, Humor, Literature, Philosophy, Romance, Satire, Short stories

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The Autobiography of a Slander exposes the consequences of reckless words or, even worse, intentionally disparaging words. In this moral tale, told from the point of view of the slander, Edna Lyall (pseudonym used by Ada Ellen Bayley) reveals her ideals and goals in life and relationships. (Summary by Rhonda Federman)...

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Fiction, Philosophy, Short stories, Literature

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Owen Wister's wry humor enlivens this comedic story of three sophomores during exam week at Harvard. (Summary by David Wales)

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Fiction, Comedy

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The Wit and Humor of America is a 10 volume series. In this, the eighth volume, 40 short stories and poems have been gathered from 35 authors. This volume is sure to delight listeners. (Summary by Linette Geisel)...

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Adventure, Fiction, Humor, Literature, Philosophy, Romance, Satire, Short stories

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Ein verbummelter Student ist ein autobiographisch geprägtes Werk von Gustav Sack (1885-1916), einem heute fast vergessenen, frühexpressionistischen Autor. Es wird das Leben von Erich, dem verbummelten Studenten, erzählt. Neben seinen naturwissenschaftlichen Studien versucht er sich auch an (von Nietzsche beeinflußten) philosophischen Überlegungen über die Natur des Menschen und der Welt. Daran scheitert er. Die erkenntnistheoretischen Hilflosigkeiten Erichs (Gustav Sack) prägen seine Liebesbeziehung mit Loo, der Tochter eines reichen Gutsbesitzers, und sein weiteres Leben. Alles Erleben wird schließlich nur Bestätigung und Gleichnis für die inneren Vorgänge; es ist tragische Notwendigkeit, daß Glück und Dasein schließlich als unwesentlich zerstieben. Das Ergebnis ist ungeheure Einsamkeit (Hans W. Fischer, Herausgeber des erst postum erschienenen Werkes). (Zusammenfassung von Rainer)...

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Fiction, Literature, Philosophy, Romance, Psychology

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I doubt that anyone who reads [Born Again] will ever forget it: it is quite singularly bad, with long undigestible rants against the evils of the world, an impossibly idealistic Utopian prescription for the said evils, and - as you will have gathered - a very silly plot. - oddbooks.co.uk Alfred Lawson was a veritable Renaissance man: a professional baseball player, a luminary in the field of aviation, an outspoken advocate of vegetarianism and economic reform, and the founder of a pseudo-scientific crackpot philosophy called Lawsonomy. Born Again, his only novel, is a bizarre, delirious, and delightfully silly utopian science-fiction novel that lays the groundwork for the philosophy that would later dominate Lawson's life. It tells the story of John Convert, a wayward, seafaring soul (based loosely on Lawson, minus the conveniently symbolic initials) who is tossed overboard by his crewmen after a physical altercation. Convert awakens on an island inhabited by a race of superhuman giants -- called the Sagemen -- who slumber in their subterranean city. He then meets Arletta, a giantess who takes Convert on a journey that will change h...

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Fiction, Science fiction, Adventure, Philosophy

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Zanoni, a timeless Rosicrucian brother, cannot fall in love without losing his power of immortality; but he does fall in love with Viola Pisani, a promising young opera singer from Naples, the daughter of Pisani, a misunderstood Italian violinist. An English gentleman named Glyndon loves Viola as well, but is indecisive about proposing marriage, and then renounces his love in order to pursue occult study. The story develops in the days of the French Revolution in 1789. Zanoni has lived since the Chaldean civilization. His master Mejnor warns him against a love affair but Zanoni does not heed. He finally marries Viola and they have a child. As Zanoni experiences an increase in humanity, he begins to lose his gift of immortality.( Summary by Wikipedia )...

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Fiction, Philosophy

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HE WHO SPOKE and wrote this message will be greatly disappointed if it does not lead many to the Lord Jesus. It is sent forth in childlike dependence upon the power of God the Holy Ghost, to use it in the conversion of millions, if so He pleases. No doubt many poor men and women will take up this little volume, and the Lord will visit them with grace. To answer this end, the very plainest language has been chosen, and many homely expressions have been used. But if those of wealth and rank should glance at this book, the Holy Ghost can impress them also; since that which can be understood by the unlettered is none the less attractive to the instructed. Oh that some might read it who will become great winners of souls! Who knows how many will find their way to peace by what they read here? A more important question to you, dear reader, is this – Will you be one of them? (From All of Grace)...

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Fiction, Religion, Philosophy

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Geschiedenis van een neger is een anoniem, rond 1771 verschenen boekwerk. Het is het verhaal van een hugenoot, aangeduid met de letter N., die met zijn vrouw en dochter en vergezeld van de begaafde neger Thomas van Suriname naar Amsterdam reist. N. ontpopt zich als een meester met verlichte ideeën die gelooft in de natuurlijke edelheid van de mens. Hij verklaart deze ideeën wanneer een eiland wordt aangedaan waar een andere Hugenoot een heilstaat heeft gesticht. `Goede woorden’ sorteren volgens N. meer effect dan slagen. In zijn goede-meesterschap is hij consequent wanneer zijn dochter Agnes verklaart de trouwe en tot het christendom bekeerde Thomas te verkiezen boven een andere huwelijkskandidaat: N. stemt toe in het huwelijk met de neger. (Wikipedia)...

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Fiction, Philosophy, Travel

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Hard Times, the shortest of Dickens's full-length novels, is set in the fictitious Victorian-England city of Coketown, where facts are the rule and all fancy is to be stamped out. The plot centers around the men and women of the town, some of whom are beaten down by the city's utilitarian ideals and some of whom manage to rise above it. The novel was written in 1854 and was a scathing attack on then-current ideas of utilitarianism, which Dickens viewed as a selfish and at times oppressive philosophy. Perhaps the novel's best features are its clever, ironic narration and the larger-than-life characters that push the plot forward, such as the upper-class banker and hypocritical braggart, Josiah Bounderby, and the fact-driven schoolmaster, Thomas Gradgrind. (Summary by Rosalind Wills)....

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Satire

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Diese kleine Schrift ist eine grosse Kriegserklärung; und was das Aushorchen von Götzen anbetrifft, so sind es dies Mal keine Zeitgötzen, sondern ewige Götzen, an die hier mit dem Hammer wie mit einer Stimmgabel gerührt wird, - es giebt überhaupt keine älteren, keine überzeugteren, keine aufgeblaseneren Götzen... Auch keine hohleren... Das hindert nicht, dass sie die geglaubtesten sind; auch sagt man, zumal im vornehmsten Falle, durchaus nicht Götze... (aus Friedrich Nietzsches Vorwort zur Gützendämmerung)...

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Philosophy

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A Voyage to Arcturus is a novel by Scottish writer David Lindsay, first published in 1920. It combines fantasy, philosophy, and science fiction in an exploration of the nature of good and evil and their relationship with existence. It has been described by critic and philosopher Colin Wilson as the greatest novel of the twentieth century and was a central influence on C. S. Lewis's Space Trilogy....

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Science fiction

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A modernized translation of one of Geoffrey Chaucer's poems.

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Modernized translation of one of Geoffrey Chaucer's earlier works.

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Due to the success of my Watermelon Credo Post, I created this book. Each letter in the word WATERMELON is a chapter. The W in Watermelon stands for: Whatever you believe creates your reality. And this book is a perfect example.What began as a wall poster is now a book. In his latest and happiest work yet, Wally Amos spells out in heart-warming, well-chosen words how to fill your life with inspiration and fun. Renowned as a cookie man and motivational speaker, Wally draws inspiration from personal experience, his own belief system, and his love o watermelon. In this vividly illustrated volume, he reveals how you can create your own reality and use your inner beauty and strength to help make the world a better place. Plunge into Watermelon Credo – The Book. You’ll be tickled pink....

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Written by Sunil Kumar K V, during 1997-1998 while in Nagpur about two individuals who were having an extra-marital affair. During a night together, while having sex, they find out they're losing the thrill. The debate takes them to an unexpected turn where......

Table of Contents Details
Philosophy, Extramarital affairs, Relationship, Love

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This is the story of Lazuli, an average man with ordinary problems which, in his case, were enough to open his mind to something wonderful. Something that was already right in front of his nose – a mountain in the middle of his city that was virtually ignored. Improbable? Possibly, but then the events that follow somehow seem as natural and important as anything could be. And the story is simple, based on climbing a mountain and coming down again. But while access to the mountain is easy, it seems very few are interested in it. Lazuli and his colleagues resolve to explore the forgotten mount, their paths reflecting their individual characters, and the most common outcome is boredom leading them to return to the more interesting diversions of everyday life. But for Lazuli and his friend, and a few others they meet on the way, a new discovery awakens in them and they are never the same again – they are content. A short and positive tale; a parable....

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The Misty Mountain Around the Gates Through the Gate Broadway Causal Camp Faith, Hope and Charity The Evangelist The View from the Summit Re-entering the World Epilogue Page 5 9 13 18 26 35 44 50 55 63 Contents...

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A modernized translation of one of Geoffrey Chaucer's poems.