history philosophy

Softcover. London, Verso, 1st Thus, 1994, Book: Very Good, Dust Jacket: None, 174 pages. Softcover. Light marginal wear to covers. Clean & unmarked.

Hardcover. Cambridge MA, Belknap Press / Harvard University Press, 1st, 1979, Book: Very Good, Dust Jacket: Very Good, Hardcover in a lightly worn dust jacket, 896 pages. This masterly study has a grand sweep. It ranges over centuries, with a long look backward over several millennia. Yet the history it unfolds is primarily the story of individuals: thinkers and dreamers who envisaged an ideal social order and described it persuasively, leaving a mark on their own and later times. The roster of utopians includes men of all stripes in different countries and eras--figures as disparate as More and Fourier, the Marquis de Sade and Edward Bellamy, Rousseau and Marx. Fascinating character studies of the major figures are among the delights of the book. 1980 National Book Award winner. Name on front fly leaf, otherwise clean.

Softcover. Lanham MD, Rowman & Littlefield , 1st, 2003, Book: Very Good, Dust Jacket: None, Softcover, 349 pages. In Vergil's Empire, Eve Adler offers an exciting new interpretation of the political thought of Vergil's Aeneid. Adler argues that in this epic poem, Vergil presents the theoretical foundations of a new political order, one that resolves the conflict between scientific enlightenment and ancestral religion that permeated the ancient world. The work concentrates on Vergil's response to the physics, psychology, and political implications of Lucretius' Epicurean doctrine expressed in De Rerum Natura. Proceeding by a close analysis of the Aeneid, Adler examines Vergil's critique of Carthage as a model of universal enlightenment, his positive doctrine of Rome as a model of universal religion, and his criticism of the heroism of Achilles, Odysseus, and Epicurus in favor of the heroism of Aeneas. Beautifully written and clearly argued, Vergil's Empire will be of great value to all interested in the classical world. Clean copy.

Softcover. Oxford UK, Clarendon Press, reprint, 2016, Book: Very Good, Dust Jacket: None, Softcover, 400 pages. Clean, bright copy. This volume makes available for the first time critical editions of John Locke's A Vindication and A Second Vindication of the Reasonableness of Christianity, in which Locke defends his interpretation of the New Testament and of the Christian Religion against charges of heterodoxy. These works contribute greatly to our understanding of Locke's Christian commitments, which it is now recognized played an important role in shaping his philosophical opinions; they also demonstrate his sophistication as a biblical scholar, and the breadth of his theological learning. The texts are accompanied by a historical introduction explaining the origin of the works and setting them in context. In addition to a textual introduction and critical apparatus, editorial notes help to clarify the text. The volume also includes a French translation and abridgment by Pierre Coste, a Huguenot scholar, who was patronized by Locke and worked on his translations while residing in Locke's household. This definitive edition is an important contribution to an understanding of the development of modern enlightened Christian attitudes.

Hardcover. NY, New York University Press, 2nd pr., 1972, Book: Very Good, Dust Jacket: None, Hardcover, orange cloth covers, gilt lettering on spine, 159 pages. While Morgan's literary portfolio shows remarkable diversity, it is studded with works on Puritanism. 'Visible Saints' further solidifies his reputation as a leading authority on this subject. An expanded version of his Anson G. Phelps Lectures of 1962 (presented at New York University), this slender volume focuses on the central issue of church membership. Morgan posits and develops a revisionary main thesis: the practice of basing membership upon a declaration of experiencing saving grace, or 'conversion,' was first put into effect not in England, Holland, or Plymouth, as is commonly related, but in Massachusetts Bay Colony by non-separating Puritans. Characterized by stylistic grace and exegetic finesse, 'Visible Saints' is another scholarly milestone in the 'Millerian Age' of Puritan historiography. Name on front fly leaf, otherwise clean.

Softcover. Cambridge MA, Harvard University Press, 1st pbk, 2014, Book: Very Good, Dust Jacket: None, Softcover, 755 pages. Walter Benjamin is one of the twentieth century's most important intellectuals, and also one of its most elusive. His writings-mosaics incorporating philosophy, literary criticism, Marxist analysis, and a syncretistic theology-defy simple categorization. And his mobile, often improvised existence has proven irresistible to mythologizers. His writing career moved from the brilliant esotericism of his early writings through his emergence as a central voice in Weimar culture and on to the exile years, with its pioneering studies of modern media and the rise of urban commodity capitalism in Paris. That career was played out amid some of the most catastrophic decades of modern European history: the horror of the First World War, the turbulence of the Weimar Republic, and the lengthening shadow of fascism. Now, a major new biography from two of the world's foremost Benjamin scholars reaches beyond the mosaic and the mythical to present this intriguing figure in full. Clean copy.

Hardcover. NY, Abrams, 1st, 2016, Book: Very Good, Dust Jacket: None, Hardcover in pictorial boards, 175 pages in color. William Wegman's postcard paintings reflect a lifetime of engagement with narrative, perspective, art history, architecture, popular culture, humor, and philosophy in art. Starting with one or more vintage postcards, Wegman constructs scenes that range from intimate interiors to cosmic vistas, filling audaciously complex spaces with intriguing incident. Collected together, the paintings possess the universal, encyclopedic, and mysterious qualities of their source materials. In addition to Martin Filler's introduction, a stellar group of contributors responds to the work.

Hardcover. NY, Peter H. Wyden, 1st, 1973, Book: Good, Dust Jacket: Fair, Hardcover in a dust jacket that has a water stain to rear panel. Mild ripple to rear cloth, but book, text pages not affected. There is some foxing/tanning to top edge of text block. No markings. Walter Kaufmann in defining the conflicts in Germany that put Hitler in power, are very similar to our challenges today. A good read for people who want to understand underlying impulses in our culture.

Hardcover. Bristol UK, Thoemmes Press, reprint, 1999, Book: Very Good, Dust Jacket: None, Six volume complete set. Folios, maroon cloth covers with gilt and dark blue spine designs. Facsimile reprint of the 1772 edition, over 5000 pages. Clean, very good. NOTE: THESE ARE HUGE VOLUMES AND CAN ONLY BE SHIPPED DOMESTICALLY.

Hardcover. Middlebury, VT, Swift & Chipman, 2nd American from the 7th London Edition, 1811, Book: Good, Dust Jacket: None, 202 pages. Hardcover. Brown leather cover boards, front cover board slightly bowed (see image), gilt title on spine with gilt bands. Binding tight. Spine straight. Some appropriate agewear throughout: tanning, foxing, etc. A series of graphic and interesting scenes illustrating the temper and conduct of the pilgrim on his way to Zion.