templeton foundation press u s radnor (193 results)

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Internationally renowned priest-scientist Dr. John C. Polkinghorne examines whether a personal, interacting God is a credible concept in today's scientific age. Encouraging the belief that there is a compatibility between the insights of science and the insights of religion, this book, previously published in the United Kingdom, focuses on the viewpoint that the world is one in which both human beings and God have the freedom to act. A modern understanding of the physical world is applied to questions of prayer and providence, such as: Do miracles happen? Can prayer change anything? Why does evil exist? Why does God allow suffering? Why does God need us to ask him? God's involvement in time is considered, from both a temporal and an eternal perspective. The roles of incarnation and sacrament are discussed in terms of whether or not they have a credible place in today's worldview. And the Final Anthropic Principle (FAP) is presented, with its attempt at a physical eschatology, showing it to be an inadequate basis for hope. Real hope can reside only with God, Polkinghorne concludes. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Trade Paperback. Condition: As New. 120 pgs.

First Edition. New book.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This text examines the possibility of a cosmic evolution process that encompasses our own planet and universe as well as other planets and universes. Focus is on how this concept fits in with our ideas of God and spirituality. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The sociologist Thomas Sowell writes, "We need to confront the most blatant fact that has persisted across centuries of social historyvast ddifferences in productivity among peoples, and the economic and other consequences of such differences." Poverty demeans dignity, shrinks the soul, wastes potential, and inflicts suffering on three billion people on our planet. We must also acknowledge that, during the past fifty yyears, the record in international assistance to the least developed countries has been disappointing; the economics-based abstractions developed in the think tanks of Europe and North America are insufficient. In the River They Swimis the antithesis of that search for solutions to the next big theory of global poverty. From the fresh perspective of advisors on the frontlines of development to the insight of leaders like President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Pastor Rick Warren, it tells the story of change in the microcosms of emerging businesses, industries, and governments. These essays display a personal nature to their work that rigorous analysis alone cannot explain. We learn that a Sufi master can teach us about the different levels of knowledge, the "different ways to know a river." These practitioners could have written about its length, its source, its depth, its width, the power of its current, and the life it contains. They could have invested time and money to travel to that river so that they could sit on its shores and look at it, feel the sand that borders it, and watch the birds at play over it. Instead, they dove in to swim in the river, felt its current along their bodies, and tasted something of it. They wondered, briefly, if they had the strength to swim its length, and now they share the answer. If human development is a river, the authors in this volume, and perhaps some readers, will no longer be satisfied to stand along its banks. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

First Edition. new; in acetate jacket which is rubbed/ scratched; dj fine.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. "The test of all happiness, said G.K. Chesterton, is gratitude."Learning to experience gratitude involves being grateful as an attitude, not as a reaction when good things occur. To be grateful, one does not need to wait until things are perfect. In fact, practicing gratitude makes one receptive to life's blessings, and these blessings continue as we continue to be thankful.In one study, described by author Robert Emmons, participants who wrote about five things for which they were grateful experienced more positive emotional states and were more likely to help others over a period of ten weeks than were participants who wrote about the hassles and stressors they experienced during the same time."Love wholeheartedly, says Brother David Steindl-Rast, be surprised, give thanks and praisethen you will discover the fullness of your life."Gratitude provides gifts to both the giver and the receiver, and this illuminating book will inspire readers to recognize just how truly blessed we are. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Nicholas Eberstadts landmark 2016 study, Men without Work, cast a spotlight on the collapse of work for men in modern America. Rosy reports of low unemployment rates and full or near full employment conditions, he contends, were overlooking a quiet, continuing crisis: Depression-era work rates for American men of prime working age (2554). The grim truth: over six million prime-age men were neither working nor looking for work. Conventional unemployment measures ignored these labor force dropouts, but their ranks had been rising relentlessly for half a century. Eberstadts unflinching analysis was, in the words of The New York Times, an unsettling portrait not just of male unemployment, but also of lives deeply alienated from civil society. The famed American work ethic was once near universal: men of sound mind and body took pride in contributing to their communities and families. No longer, warned Eberstadt. And nowsix years and one catastrophic pandemic laterthe problem has not only worsened: it has seemingly been spreading among prime-age women and workers over fifty-five. In a brand new introduction, Eberstadt explains how the governments response to Covid-19 inadvertently exacerbated the flight from work in America. From indiscriminate pandemic shutdowns to almost unconditional unemployment benefits, Americans were essentially paid not to work. Thus today, despite the vaccine rollouts, inexplicable numbers of working age men and women are sitting on the sidelines while over 11 million jobs go unfilled. Current low rates of unemployment, touted by pundits and politicians, are grievously misleading. The truth is that fewer prime-age American men are looking for readily available work than at any previous juncture in our history. And others may be catching the Men Without Work virus too. Given the devastating economic impact of the Covid calamity and the unforeseen aftershocks yet to come, this reissue of Eberstadts groundbreaking work is timelier than ever. Nicholas Eberstadts landmark 2016 study, Men without Work, cast a spotlight on the collapse of work for men in modern America. Rosy reports of low unemployment rates and full or near full employment conditions, he contends, were overlooking a quiet, continuing crisis: Depression-era work rates for American men of prime working age (twenty-five to fifty-four). Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. In More God, Less Crime renowned criminologist Byron R. Johnson proves that religion can be a powerful antidote to crime. The book describes how faith communities, congregations, and faith-based organizations are essential in forming partnerships necessary to provide the human and spiritual capital to effectively address crime, offender rehabilitation, and the substantial aftercare problems facing former prisoners. There is scattered research literature on religion and crime but until now, there has never been one publication that systematically and rigorously analyzes what we know from this largely overlooked body of research in a lay-friendly format. The data shows that when compared to current strategies, faith-based approaches to crime prevention bring added value in targeting those factors known to cause crime: poverty, lack of education, and unemployment. In an age of limited fiscal resources, Americans cant afford a criminal justice system that turns its nose up at volunteer efforts that could not only work better than the abysmal status quo, but also save billions of dollars at the same time. This book provides readers with practical insights and recommendations for a faith-based response that could do just that. In More God, Less Crime Byron R. Johnson, a leading authority on both the scientific study of religion and criminal justice, proves that religion can be a powerful antidote to crime. The criminal justice system is disastrously broken, and despite research showing the benefits of including faith-based solutions in crime prevention policies, many experts are reluctant to include such measures in their recommendations. This book draws on the latest research to make a clear case that any effective crime fighting policy must include government and faith-based efforts in partnership. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Who am I? The question today haunts every society in the Western world. Legions of peopleespecially the younghave become unmoored from a firm sense of self. To compensate, they join the ranks of ideological tribes spawned by identity politics and react with frenzy against any perceived threat to their group. As identitarians track and expose the ideologically impure, other citizens face the consequences of their rancor: a litany of isms run amok across all levels of cultural life, the free marketplace of ideas muted by agendas shouted through megaphones, and a spirit of general goodwill warped into a state of perpetual outrage. How did we get here? Why have we divided against one another so bitterly? In Primal Screams, acclaimed cultural critic Mary Eberstadt presents the most provocative and original theory to come along in recent years. The rise of identity politics, she argues, is a direct result of the fallout of the sexual revolution, especially the collapse and shrinkage of the family. As Eberstadt illustrates, humans have forged their identities within the kinship structure from time immemorial. The extended family, in a real sense, is the first tribe and teacher. But with its unprecedented decline across various measures, generations of people have been set adrift and can no longer answer the question Who am I? concerning primordial ties. Desperate for solidarity and connection, they claim membership in politicized groups whose displays of frantic irrationalism amount to primal screams for familial and communal loss. Written in her impeccable style and with empathy rarely encountered in todays divisive discourse, Eberstadts theory holds immense explanatory power that no serious citizen can afford to ignore. The book concludes with three incisive essays by Rod Dreher, Mark Lilla, and Peter Thiel, each sharing their perspective on the authors formidable argument. In Primal Screams, acclaimed cultural critic Mary Eberstadt presents the most provocative and original theory to come along in recent years. The rise of identity politics, she argues, is a direct result of the fallout of the sexual revolution, especially the collapse and shrinkage of the family. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Christians who struggle with a conflict between their sexual and religious identities have few therapeutic options available to them. Sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) have rightly fallen out of favor and are no longer practiced by most clinicians. At the same time, the common approach of gay affirmative therapy (GAT) can at times present challenges and may not be a good fit when clients hold to conventional religious beliefs and values.An alternative to these methods is Sexual Identity Therapy (SIT)an approach that aims to provide individuals with a safe therapeutic space to explore the tension between their sexuality and their faith. Working within the SIT framework, clients are able to resolve their inner conflict to their personal satisfaction and to freely choose a coherent identity that enables them to move forward in life.SIT has several stages, each designed to enable the client to make meaning out of his or her same-sex sexuality. At no point in the process is the client encouraged to choose one sexual identity over another. The ultimate goal of SIT is congruence. Congruence is achieved when a person freely adopts an identity and lives it out in ways that are in keeping with his or her beliefs and values. The SIT model is brought to life throughout the book with the help of case studies drawn from the authors 20 years of experience.Written for both Christian and non-religious clinicians, Sexual Identity and Faith is an informed, respectful, and nuanced guide to help people navigate the difficult conflict between who they are sexually and what they believe religiously. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: Good. Worldwide Laws of Life is full of wisdom drawn from the major sacred Scriptures of the world and various schools of philosophical thought, as well as from scientists, artists, historians, and others. Its aim is to assist people of all ages to learn more about the universal truths of life that transcend modern times or particular cultures. This treasury of practical morality, personal inspiration, and daily guidance is perfect for people of all persuasions. The organization facilitates group or personal study and spiritual development. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Hardcover. Condition: new. Hardcover. In this learned romp of science writing, Cambridge professor Simon Conway Morris cheerfully challenges six assumptions-what he calls 'myths'-that too often pass as unquestioned truths amongst the evolutionary orthodox. His convivial tour begins with the idea that evolution is boundless in the kinds of biological systems it can produce. Not true, he says. The process is highly circumscribed and delimited. Nor is it random. This popular notion holds that evolution proceeds blindly, with no endgame. But Conway Morris suggests otherwise, pointing to evidence that the processes of evolution are "seeded with inevitabilities." If that is so, then what about mass extinctions? Don't they steer the development of life in radically new directions? Rather the reverse, claims Conway Morris. Such cataclysms accelerate evolutionary developments that were going to happen anyway. And what about that other evolutionary canard: the "missing link"? There is plenty to choose from in the fossil record, but persistently overlooked is that in any group, there is not one but a phalanx of "missing links." Once again, we under-score the near-inevitability of evolutionary outcomes. Turning from fossils to minds, Conway Morris critically examines the popular tenet that the intelligence of humans and animals are the same thing, a difference of degree, not kind. A closer scrutiny of our minds shows that, in reality, an unbridgeable gulf separates us from even the chimpanzees, so begging questions of consciousness and Mind. Finally, Conway Morris tackles the question of extraterrestrials. Undoubtedly, the size and scale of the universe suggest that alien life must exist somewhere beyond Earth and our tiny siloed solar system? After all, evolutionary convergence more than hints that human-like forms are universal. But Dr. Conway Morris has serious doubts. The famous Fermi Paradox ("Where are they?") appears to hold: Alone in the cosmos-and unique, but not quite in the way one might expect. In this learned romp of science writing, Cambridge professor Simon Conway Morris cheerfully challenges six assumptionswhat he calls mythsthat too often pass as unquestioned truths amongst the evolutionary orthodox. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Hard Cover. Condition: BOOK NEW. Dust Jacket Condition: DUSTJACKET NEW. 1st Edition. AN EXTREMELY CLEAN, ATTRACTIVE COPY WITH A BRIGHT, BEAUTIFUL DUSTJACKET IN NEW, GLOSSY BRODART. 1ST PRINTING. NOT PRICE CLIPPED. NO PREVIOUS OWNER MARKINGS. Scarce in dustjacket.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. In this uplifting new book, author Stephen G. Post explores the mysteries and the wonder of Godly love. This all-important love is personal, unconditional, unlimited, generative, and omnipresent. The title alludes to Isaiah 35, how Godly love is said to plant a rose in our hearts precisely when we feel like a desert with no more love to give. Post draws on his life experiences and works at the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love as he intersperses personal anecdotes with spiritual truths and research on human happiness. In the process, he defines the concept of Godly love and illustrates how important it can be in our livesnot only emotionally and spiritually but physically as well. "Godly love," he writes, "is the only foundation in the universe that we can really lean on." We all have deserts in life, so we all need Godly love. Without it, the downward slide to cynicism, hostility, and cool indifference can be too easy. These meditations on the subject will nurture our confidence in the power of a love greater than our own when we need it most. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Hardcover. Condition: new. Hardcover. In these difficult economic times thrift may seem like a necessity, rather than a route to joy. But in this handbook, the reader learns about the virtue of thrift and how, in combination with gratitude and generosity, it can lead to deep lasting contentment. The book explores the qualities that distinguish thriftiness from merely being cheap; it looks at thrift and wisdom, thrift and gratitude, thrift and ethical standards and thrift and hard work. With references from the Bible, literature, poetry and philosophy, as well as examples from daily life, thrift is shown to be more than just understanding the bottom line. Indeed thrift is part of a religious and cultural understanding of how we use our time, our talents and our resources. As inherently virtuous as thrifty living is, its capacity for leading to deep joy is severely limited if its goals are self serving. On the other hand, when thrift is combined with the virtue of generosity, when empathy opens the doors for channelling the thriftiness to generosity, then the potential for good is greatly magnified. On thrift; "The safest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it in your pocket." In these difficult economic times thrift may seem like a necessity, rather than a route to joy. But in this handbook, the reader learns about the virtue of thrift and how, in combination with gratitude and generosity, it can lead to deep lasting contentment. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Compact Disc. Condition: new. Compact Disc. This book explains how gratitude can enhance your life. Learning how to experience gratitude involves being as grateful as an attitude, not as a reaction to good occurrence. One does not need to wait until things are perfect in order to be grateful; in fact, it may be just the opposite. It could be that the act of being grateful, in itself, makes one receptive to life's blessings. Psychologist Robert Emmons, professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, has researched the topic of gratitude and measured the results. Not only are those who practice gratitude happier and more joyful, they are also healthier, exercise more frequently and are more apt to be helpful to others. Explains how gratitude can enhance your life. Learning how to experience gratitude involves being as grateful as an attitude, not as a reaction to good occurrence. One does not need to wait until things are perfect in order to be grateful; in fact, it may be just the opposite. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. The tradition of agape, or unconditional love, is not exclusive to any religion. It is a primary underlying principle found in religions worldwide. The concept of altruistic love challenges the spiritual person to "love your enemies" or to "love without thought of return." It is a love that flows out to others through compassion, kindness, tenderness, and charitable giving. Buddhists have a path of compassion, where caring for others becomes the motivating force behind existence. Hindus have a branch of yoga, the heart-centered path, that leads to enlightenment through an overwhelming love for God that takes the form of loving all humanity. Eastern religions, such as Taoism and Confucianism, see transcendent love as essential to true wisdom. Love is a universal theme of love found in all religious traditions, Buddhist, Christian, Islam, or others. As we realize that all religions have this spiritual principle of love at their core, we can develop a sense of shared humanity. The religious tradition of agape love examined in this book will inspire those who are learning to grow in compassion and love for all people. The tradition of agape, or unconditional love, is not exclusive to any religion. It is a primary underlying principle found in religions worldwide. The concept of altruistic love challenges the spiritual person to "love your enemies" or to "love without thought of return." It is a love that flows out to others through compassion, kindness, tenderness, and charitable giving. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Sir John Templeton (19122008), the Wall Street legend who has been described as arguably the greatest global stock picker of the twentieth century, clearly knew what it took to be successful. The most important thing, he observed, was to have strong convictions that guided your lifethis was the common denominator he saw in all successful people and enterprises. Fortunately for us, he was eager to share his own blueprint for personal success and happiness with the rest of the world. In The Templeton Plan, he laid out the twenty-one guiding principles by which he governed both his professional and personal life. These principles were grounded in virtues that he considered important enough to be considered the laws of lifethey include honesty, perseverance, thrift, enthusiasm, humility, and altruism. From this moral foundation, Templeton formulated a step-by-step plan to help improve anyones personal and professional life. Among the steps he enumerates, readers will find: Four exercises that will help anyone find the positive in every negative How to be the one person in ten that will productively use more time than they waste The secret trait that separates great workers from good workers How to control your thoughts for effective action The practical applications of a sense of humility How successful people approach risks differently from most peopleTaken as a whole, the lessons contained within his twenty-one steps will help readers make lasting friendships, reap significant financial rewards, and find personal satisfaction. Ever a believer in the futures vast potential, Templeton hoped that sharing his principles would inspire others to seek their own laws of life, formulate their own plans, and find success and happiness on a scale exponentially greater than his own. He freely admitted that he didnt know everything and that there was yet much to be discovered about prosperity and joy. The Templeton Plan not only offers his recipe for success, but also shows us the way to formulate our own plans. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Black civil rights leaders have long supported ethnic identity politics and prioritized the integration of political institutions, and seldom has that strategy been questioned. In False Black Power?, Jason L. Riley takes an honest, factual look at why increased black political power has not paid off in the ways that civil rights leadership has promised.Recent decades have witnessed a proliferation of black elected officials, culminating in the historic presidency of Barack Obama. However, racial gaps in employment, income, homeownership, academic achievement, and other measures not only continue but in some cases have even widened. While other racial and ethnic groups in America have made economic advancement a priority, the focus on political capital for blacks has been a disadvantage, blocking them from the fiscal capital that helped power upward mobility among other groups.Riley explains why the political strategy of civil rights leaders has left so many blacks behind. The key to black economic advancement today is overcoming cultural handicaps, not attaining more political power. The book closes with thoughtful responses from key thought leaders Glenn Loury and John McWhorter. Black civil rights leaders have long supported ethnic identity politics and prioritized the integration of political institutions, and seldom has that strategy been questioned. In False Black Power?, Jason L. Riley takes an honest, factual look at why increased black political power has not paid off in the ways that civil rights leadership has promised. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. In this inspirational book, Dr. Harold G. Koenig demonstrates how kindness leads to life-enriching joy. The nature of kindness is explored - its relationship to love and generosity, as well as the characteristics that distinguish it from pity. Kindness is defined as an intentional and selfless kind of gentle love that involves concentrating on the needs of another person. It is the opposite of cruelty and neglect, which ignore the needs of others and focus only on the self. Joy is likewise examined and Koenig notes how it differs from the emotions of happiness and satisfaction. Its roots are shown to be in human experiences and actions. Stories from everyday life as well as the acts of well-known people illustrate how kindness is expressed. They, also, show the effects of kindness on the person who is being kind and the recipient of the kindness. While, to date, there is little formal research on kindness, there are studies on the positive impact of values that are related to it, such as forgiveness, altruistic love and acts of volunteering and compassion. It is likely, Koenig speculates, that kindness will be found to have a positive effect on mental and even physical health.This book includes guidance as well as information and inspiration. There are practical recommendations on how to perform acts of kindness in personal lives and at work, toward friends, colleagues and family members - even with one's enemies. Suggestions are, also, offered on ways to encourage others to be kind so they, too, can experience the joy that results. Demonstrates how kindness leads to life-enriching joy. This book explores the nature of kindness - its relationship to love and generosity, as well as the characteristics that distinguish it from pity. It shows the effects of kindness on the person who is being kind and the recipient of the kindness. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Its become fashionable to demean millennials as the snowflake generation. Raised during the peace and prosperity of the 90s, theyre often perceived as carrying an entitlement mentality and being incapable of handling adversity. But Philip Klein sees them differently. Given the economic headwinds they faced at the start of their working lives, millennials have shown commendable fortitude. And as Klein argues, they will need to maintain this character strength going forward because further challenges loom in their future. The aftershocks of the Great Recession, the skyrocketing cost of living, and the titanic weight of student loan debt have made the American Dream seem to be forever retreating toward the horizon. As if that werent enough, millennials will face the largest federal debt in history as boomers retire and extract trillions of dollars from Social Security and Medicarefar more than they contributed. In this concise, data-driven book, Klein begins the work of brightening the future for millennials by analyzing the problem compassionately yet objectively. There are real reasons to worry about what lies ahead if nothing changes. But the facts laid out in Kleins book can steer the conversation to realistic solutions. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. In Bring Back the Bureaucrats, John J. DiIulio Jr., one of Americas most respected political scientists and an adviser to presidents in both parties, summons the facts and statistics to show us how Americas big government works and why reforms that include adding a million more people to the federal workforce by 2035 might help to slow governments growth while improving its performance. Starting from the underreported reality that the size of the federal workforce hasnt increased since the early 1960s, even though the federal budget has skyrocketed. The number of federal programs has ballooned; Bring Back the Bureaucrats tells us what our elected leaders wont: there are not enough federal workers to work for our democracy effectively. DiIulio reveals that the government in America is Leviathan by Proxy, a grotesque form of debt-financed big government that guarantees terrible government. Washington relies on state and local governments, for-profit firms, and nonprofit organizations to implement federal policies and programs. Big-city mayors, defense industry contractors, nonprofit executives, and other national proxies lobby incessantly for more federal spending. This proxy system chokes on chores such as cleaning up toxic waste sites, caring for hospitalized veterans, collecting taxes, handling plutonium, and policing more than $100 billion annually in improper payments. The lack of competent, well-trained federal civil servants resulted in the failed federal response to Hurricane Katrina and the troubled launch of Obamacares health exchanges. Bring Back the Bureaucrats is further distinguished by the presence of E. J. Dionne Jr. and Charles Murray, two of the most astute voices from the political left and right, respectively, who offer their candid responses to DiIulio at the end of the book. In Bring Back the Bureaucrats, John J. DiIulio Jr., one of America's most respected political scientists and an adviser to presidents in both parties, summons the facts and statistics to show us how America's big government works and why reforms that include adding a million more people to the federal workforce by 2035 might help to slow government's growth while improving its performance. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Populists on both sides of the political aisle routinely announce that the American Dream is dead. According to them, the game has been rigged by elites, workers cant get ahead, wages have been stagnant for decades, and the middle class is dying. Michael R. Strain, director of economic policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, disputes this rhetoric as wrong and dangerous. In this succinctly argued volume, he shows that, on measures of economic opportunity and quality of life, there has never been a better time to be alive in America. He backs his argument with overwhelmingand underreporteddata to show how the facts favor realistic optimism. He warns, however, that the false prophets of populism pose a serious danger to our current and future prosperity. Their policies would leave workers worse off. And their erroneous claim that the American Dream is dead could discourage people from taking advantage of real opportunities to better their lives. If enough people start to believe the Dream is dead, they could, in effect, kill it. To prevent this self-fulfilling prophecy, Strains book is urgent reading for anyone feeling the pull of the populists. E. J. Dionne and Henry Olsen provide spirited responses to Strains argument. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Hardcover. Condition: new. Hardcover. There are as many different ways to pray as there are faiths in the world. Mosley and Hill describe the various methods and offer tips on using the most appropriate ones at the most effective times. Some prayers are informal and conversational, others ask for specific results, and still others take place in a church or other institutional setting. Mosley and Hill advise anyone who wants to pray more effectively and with greater satisfaction to try several approaches, depending on one's attitude at the moment and on the particular situation. For example, instead of pacing up and down at an airport waiting for the flight to depart, practice simple meditation techniques to instill peace and tranquility. Mosley and Hill also examine how prayer is used in different religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Most people may learn nothing new from this slim book, but especially those who have neglected the art of prayer will probably appreciate its support and encouragement.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2000, American Library Association.) Aims to bring together an inspirational collection of prayer suitable for all ages and traditions. This book offers insight and guidance about nature of prayer that is useful for serious seeker. It also examines how prayer is used in different religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. From the all-star cast who brought you The Seven Deadly Virtues comes a book with a look at the good life or the crazy-stressful-overwhelmed life of a father. The Dadly Virtues is a tongue-in-cheek collection of encouragement and guidance for any stage of fatherhood, from pacifying babies to prepping for senior prom, from cutting the cord to getting the first, Best Grandpa t-shirt. P.J. ORourke sets the stage with the chapter, What Do Men Get from Fatherhood? Besides What They Put In and then is followed by: Matthew Continettis, Newborn Terror: The Moment You Realize that Bundle of Joy Is a Euphemism for Something Very Different. Stephen F. Hayes Siblings: The Best Gift Youll Ever Give Your Kids. Jonah Goldbergs Get Your Kid a Dog: The Moral Case for Pets. Tucker Carlsons In Praise of Adventure: How to Fill a Childs Life with Excitement and Danger (without Getting Them Killed). Michael Grahams, Dating: Enjoy the Movie and Please Keep the Impregnation to a Minimum. Christopher Caldwells College: Its Not as Bad as You Think; Its Worse. Andrew Fergusons Emerging Adults and Empty Nesters: Just When You Had Fatherhood All Figured Out. Toby Youngs The Dark Side: Bad Parenting and the Things We Think, but Do Not Say. Joseph Epsteins Thanks, Grandpa: Grandfatherhood and the Spirit of the Age. And more. Father-to-be, two-time-dad, or granddad, each essay will make you laugh and, at the same time, reinforce your commitment to the virtuousthe dadlylife. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. What might Heidegger say about Halo, the popular video game franchise, if he were alive today? What would Augustine think about Assassins Creed? What could Maimonides teach us about Nintendos eponymous hero, Mario? While some critics might dismiss such inquiries outright, protesting that these great thinkers would never concern themselves with a medium so crude and mindless as video games, it is important to recognize that games like these are becoming the defining medium of our time. We spend more time and money on video games than on books, television, or film, and any serious thinker of our age should be concerned with these games, what they are saying about us, and what we are learning from them. Yet video games remain relatively unexplored by both scholars and pundits alike. Few have advanced beyond outmoded and futile attempts to tie gameplay to violent behavior. With this rumor now thoroughly and repeatedly disproven, it is time to delve deeper. Just as the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan recently acquired fourteen games as part of its permanent collection, so too must we seek to add a serious consideration of virtual worlds to the pantheon of philosophical inquiry. In God in the Machine, author Liel Leibovitz leads a fascinating tour of the emerging virtual landscape and its many dazzling vistas from which we are offered new vantage points on age-old theological and philosophical questions. Free will vs. determinism, the importance of ritual, transcendence through mastery, notions of the self, justice and sin, life, death, and resurrection all come into play in the video games that some critics so quickly write off as mind-numbing wastes of time. When one looks closely at how these games are designed, their inherent logic, and their cognitive effects on players, it becomes clear that playing these games creates a state of awareness vastly different from when we watch television or read a book. Indeed, the gameplay is a far more dynamic process that draws on various faculties of mind and body to evoke sensations that might more commonly be associated with religious experience. Getting swept away in an engaging game can be a profoundly spiritual activity. It is not to think, but rather to be, a logic that sustained our ancestors for millennia as they looked heavenward for answers. As more and more of us look screenward, it is crucial to investigate these games for their vast potential as fine instruments of moral training. Anyone seeking a concise and well-reasoned introduction to the subject would do well to start with God in the Machine. By illuminating both where video game storytelling is now and where it currently butts up against certain inherent limitations, Liebovitz intriguingly implies how the field and, in turn, our experiences might continue to evolve and advance in the coming years. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Hardcover. Condition: new. Hardcover. "Words,"writes Chuang Tzu, "are for catching ideas; once you've caught the idea, you can forget the words." In Do Nothing, author Siroj Sorajjakool lends us some of his insightful words to help us all "catch" the provocative ideas of one of China's most important literary and philosophical giantsone who emerged at a time when China had several such giants philosophizing on Tao or "the Way."Though his thinking dates back to the fourth century, Chuang Tzu's Tao has profound implications for our modern lives. He welcomes an existence that is radically removed from the image of normalcy that society often projects, wherein the individual must always strive for more, always seek greater productivity, and always try to better him or herself and his or her place in life. Chuang Tzu would posit that the definitions of normalcy, success, and happiness are arbitrarily assigned and that our rigid and unquestioning adherence to these so-called "norms" leads to existential restlessness and unease. Instead of striving, he would say, be still. Instead of acquiring, embrace nothingness. Instead of seeking to understand the limitlessness of the universe during your brief and extremely limited existence, enjoy the wonder of it.Siroj Sorajjakool suggests that when we can embrace nothingness, we undergo a spiritual transformation that liberates us to see more clearly and truly find ourselves. He offers a very personal exploration of Chuang Tzu's Tao, first in its historical and literary context, and then in the context of our twenty-first century existence. What emerges is a liberating and highly readable meditation on the many lessons we can "catch" from Chuang Tzu on how we view our aspirations, our joys and sorrows, our successes and failures, and what it means to be a worthwhile person. "Words,"writes Chuang Tzu, "are for catching ideas; once you've caught the idea, you can forget the words." In "Do Nothing," author Siroj Sorajjakool lends us some of his insightful words to help us all "catch" the provocative ideas of one of China's most important literary and philosophical giants--one who emerged at a time when China had several such giants philosophizing on Tao or "the Way."Though his thinking dates back to the fourth century, Chuang Tzu's Tao has profound implications for our modern lives. He welcomes an existence that is radically removed from the image of normalcy that society often projects, wherein the individual must always strive for more, always seek greater productivity, and always try to better him or herself and his or her place in life. Chuang Tzu would posit that the definitions of normalcy, success, and happiness are arbitrarily assigned and that our rigid and unquestioning adherence to these so-called "norms" leads to existential restlessness and unease. Instead of striving, he would say, be still. Instead of acquiring, embrace nothingness. Instead of seeking to understand the limitlessness of the universe during your brief and extremely limited existence, enjoy the wonder of it.Siroj Sorajjakool suggests that when we can embrace nothingness, we undergo a spiritual transformation that liberates us to see more clearly and truly find ourselves. He offers a very personal exploration of Chuang Tzu's Tao, first in its historical and literary context, and then in the context of our twenty-first century existence. What emerges is a liberating and highly readable meditation on the many lessons we can "catch" from Chuang Tzu on how we view our aspirations, our joys and sorrows, our successes and failures, and what it means to be a worthwhile person. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.