Poland: A Brief Outline of its History

Hamlet, the Ghost, and a New Document

Ryder Cup Revealed

Wisdom, the Midway Albatross: Surviving the Japanese Tsunami and Other Disasters for Over 60 Years

Sex in Education

"Volumul Picaj al Ioanei Miron e de fapt un poem amplu scris parc? sub imperiul aceleia?i st?ri, una a dezordinii interioare, a hausului existen?ial. Poezia ?ncearc? s? pun? ordine ?ntr-o lume dezmembrat? ?i schizoid?. Spa?iile psihice sunt ?n acord cu toate acele lucruri dezlocuite de sens. Cea care a decis s? dep??easc? un oarecare prag existen?ial are nevoie de o propulsare spre altceva cu adev?rat autentic ?i plin de con?inut. De aici, un r?zboi interior, o tenta?ie a punctului zero, un picaj. Cartea nu descrie traiectoria descendent? a unui spirit din ce ?n ce mai lucid. Nu e vorba aici de o probu?ire, dup? cum ar putea sugera titlul. Confruntarea cu limita (suportabilit??ii?) stimuleaz? ?nfiriparea unei dimensiuni material-spiritual?. Materialitatea dur?, abraziv?, t?ioas? poate fi ?n?eleas? ?n dou? feluri: ca nevoie de echilibru, de fixitate ?i, mai plauzibil, ca o ?ngreunare a spiritului dornic de libertate. Dincolo de toate acestea, timpul cunoa?te reprezent?ri clar delimitate:? ?ncet ?ncet ne facem loc aici/ o s? ne aciu?m mai bine/ cine ne spune cu adev?rat cine suntem cine o s? ne descopere/ de ce s? taci ?ine-m? bine minte/ ?mpreun? am scotocit prin d?rm?turi/ ?i cu toate astea n-ai dat impresia de nesiguran??/ s?-mi poveste?ti ce ?i c?nd/ cum ?i de ce se ?nt?mpl? s? mai ?i uit?m/ ?n lipsa concentr?rii aerul devine ?ngust/ & str?zile cu tot restul/ bitimul cald ?mp?ienjenit privirile ?ntinse/ un loc sigur ?n care te infiltrezi”." (?erban Axinte) "Poezia Ioanei Miron face chiar lucrurile pe care teoriile literare au ?ncercat mereu f?r? succes s? le explice. Alege diferite scenarii existen?iale ?i decupeaz? secven?ele relevante pentru circula?ia unei energii speciale. Face acest lucru chiar ?i atunci c?nd reformuleaz? mizele t?cerii: "am ?nv??at s? mim?m t?cerea/ despre noi ?i despre al?ii am ?nv??at/ s? fim o singur? gur? din care iese orice imbold orice/ striden??". Arta Ioanei Miron ?ine mai ales de injectarea cu for?? a unor expresii al c?ror sunet pare str?in de ceea ce ?tim deja c? este poezie ?i totul se ?nt?mpl? contur?nd circuite controlate poetic. Dintre variantele de titlu pe care Ioana Miron mi le-a ar?tat, "Blocaje tactile" era sintagma care mie mi se p?rea c? sugereaz? linia investiga?iei poetice din acest volum: "schimb?ri comune gesturi banale/ facem corp comun cu obiectele/ am stat pe iarb? important e s? fim ?n locuri cunoscute ?i/ sigur te-a? convinge/ s? ne ?nt?lnim la ?nt?mplare s? ?nlocuim/ aerul cu sufl?rile tale tactile/". S-ar putea s? m? fi ?n?elat, ?ns? picajul este numai cadrul acestui demers ?n care se ?nc?p???neaz? Ioana Miron, ?n ciuda tuturor celor care ?in s? rezume poezia la fluctua?iile ipocriziei militante." (R?zvan ?upa)

Primul meu interviu cu Florian Lungu s-a consumat la sf?r?itul anului 1994, ?n c?m?ru?a sa de la cap?tul etajului IV din Radio, acolo unde cutiile cu benzile de magnetofon st?teau mai s? cad? peste el, printre ness-uri ?i ?ig?ri. Ideea era s? apar? ?n revista ?Panoramic Radio-TV” ?n jur de 5 ianuarie, c?nd e n?scut. ?i aceast? carte trebuia s? apar? pe 5 ianuarie 2016, dar n-a fost s? fie; ?ns? mai bine mai t?rziu… ?n fine, au trecut peste 20 de ani, eu am avut privilegiul – ca redactor TVR – s?-l intervievez ?nc? de multe ori, s? realizez chiar o emisiune la TVR Cultural, vreo doi ani, numit? ?Jazz Restitutio”, ?ntr-un studiou improvizat la Mo?u acas? – el antama invitatul, ?l aducea acolo, noi filmam dialogul dintre cei doi ?i ad?ugam imaginile de ilustra?ie, deopotriv? arhiv? ?i evenimente recente. Am tr?it momente inedite al?turi de candidul ?i glume?ul jazzman ?i jazzolog (de?i de c?nd se ?tie a luat aceast? muzic? ?n serios c?t i-a stat lui ?n putin??, ba ?i ?n exces, ceea ce i-a afectat s?n?tatea grav ?n mai multe r?nduri). Nu se pot uita bancurile lui Mo?u de la G?r?na, spuse pe marea scen?, ca ?i modul ?n care prezint? el sponsorii festivalului, martori sunt spectatorii (cu zecile de mii) de la fiecare edi?ie. ?n particular, eu p?strez mai multe amintiri: o tab?r? de jazz de la Jup?ne?ti, primul interviu filmat ?n care mi-a vorbit de Richard Oschanitzky, prima lui ?nt?lnire cu Alexander B?l?nescu (aranjat? de noi la un hotel, atunci c?nd muzicianul a lansat ?n concert discul ?Maria T”), dialogul s?u cu Johnny R?ducanu filmat ?n Club A pentru emisiunea ?Remix”, ori acela cu marele pianist Jancy Korossy, acas? la Mo?u, pentru ?Jazz Restitutio”… (Doru Ionescu)

From London to Land's End

Dodo Collections brings you another classic from Arnold Bennett, ‘"Literary Taste: How to Form It".’ ? Literary Taste, which has a sub-title "how to form it, with detailed instructions for collecting a complete library of English Literarure", came into that category, and was a very successful publication. More than 100 years after it first appeared (in 1909) it will seem rather quaint, but there is much of value in it, and, bearing in mind that much good and great literary work has been produced in modern times, it is still worth a study. Remember it is a book that pointed the way for the generation of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers! ? Enoch Arnold Bennett (always known as Arnold Bennett) was one of the most remarkable literary figures of his time, a product of the English Potteries that he made famous as the Five Towns. Yet he could hardly wait to escape his home town, and he did so by the sheer force of his ambition to succeed as an author. In his time he turned his hand to every kind of writing, but he will be remembered for such novels as The Old Wives' Tale, the Clayhanger trilogy (Clayhanger, Hilda Lessways, and These Twain), and The Card. He also wrote such intriguing self-improvement books as Literary Taste, How To Live on 24 Hours a Day, The Human Machine, etc. ? After a local education Bennett finished his education at the University of London and for a time was editor of Woman magazine. After 1900 he devoted himself entirely to writing; dramatic criticism was one of his foremost interests. Bennett is best known, however, for his novels, several of which were written during his residence in France. ? Bennett's infancy was spent in genteel poverty, which gave way to prosperity as his father succeeded as a solicitor. From this provincial background he became a novelist. ? His enduring fame is as a Chronicler of the Potteries towns, the setting and inspiration of some of his most famous and enduring literary work and the place where he grew up.

Collection of humorous essays. According to Wikipedia: "Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874 - 1936) was an influential English writer of the early 20th century. His prolific and diverse output included journalism, philosophy, poetry, biography, Christian apologetics, fantasy and detective fiction. Chesterton has been called the "prince of paradox."[1] He wrote in an off-hand, whimsical prose studded with startling formulations. For example: "Thieves respect property. They merely wish the property to become their property that they may more perfectly respect it."[2] He is one of the few Christian thinkers who are equally admired and quoted by both liberal and conservative Christians, and indeed by many non-Christians. Chesterton's own theological and political views were far too nuanced to fit comfortably under the "liberal" or "conservative" banner."

Collection of humorous historical essays. According to Wikipedia: "Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874 - 1936) was an influential English writer of the early 20th century. His prolific and diverse output included journalism, philosophy, poetry, biography, Christian apologetics, fantasy and detective fiction. Chesterton has been called the "prince of paradox."[1] He wrote in an off-hand, whimsical prose studded with startling formulations. For example: "Thieves respect property. They merely wish the property to become their property that they may more perfectly respect it."[2] He is one of the few Christian thinkers who are equally admired and quoted by both liberal and conservative Christians, and indeed by many non-Christians. Chesterton's own theological and political views were far too nuanced to fit comfortably under the "liberal" or "conservative" banner."

This first book in the Last Dragon Charmer series is packed with adventure and wit, perfect for fans of Soman Chainani's School for Good and Evil series and Chris Colfer's Land of Stories series.All his life, Prince Caden has dreamed of slaying a dragon. But before he has the chance, he is ripped from his home in the Great Winterlands of Razzon and finds himself in Asheville, North Carolina—a land with no magic and no dragons.Or so he thinks. The longer Caden spends in Asheville, the more he comes to realize that there is unexpected and dangerous magic in this strange land. There just may be dragons here too. But what if Caden's destiny isn't to slay a dragon, after all?

Eva Tilling wakes up in the hospital to discover she possesses a strange new skill—the ability to foresee people's deaths when they touch her. While she is recovering from her hit-and-run accident, Nate, an old flame, reappears, and the two must traverse their rocky past as they figure out how to use Eva's power to keep their friends—and each other—from falling into the hands of a killer.This contemporary romantic suspense novel from five-time New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr earned widespread critical acclaim, with Kirkus Reviews calling it a "riveting whodunit that delivers a bouquet of teen romance, paranormal, and thriller." And BCCB declared, "Between the suspense, the horror, the romance, and the wit, this will have equal appeal for fans of Sarah Dessen and Rosemary Clement-Moore."A stark departure from her fantasy settings, this Southern Gothic, racy thriller gives fans old and new chilling twists, unrequited obsession, and high-stakes romance.

What if the world holds more dangers—and more wonders—than we have ever knownAnd what if there is more than one worldFrom Heather Dixon, author of the acclaimed Entwined, comes a brilliantly conceived adventure that sweeps us from the inner workings of our souls to the far reaches of our imaginations. Jonathan is perfectly ordinary. But then—as every good adventure begins—the king swoops into port, and Jonathan and his father are enlisted to find the cure to a deadly plague. Jonathan discovers that he's a prodigy at working with a new chemical called fantillium, which creates shared hallucinations—or illusions. And just like that, Jonathan is knocked off his path. Through richly developed parallel worlds, vivid action, a healthy dose of humor, and gorgeous writing, Heather Dixon spins a story that calls to mind The Night Circus and Pixar movies, but is wholly its own.

There are friends we can't imagine living without.Morgan and Jimmy were kids together, whirling around the porch on hot summer days. They've been friends forever, and by now they know each other inside out. They do everything together--from cutting high school to go into the city to coaching each other at dance auditions and acting workshops. They even argue well. A perfect friendship. Best friends. For life.So how could life be so right and then be so wrongAfter a terrible accident, Morgan suddenly has to face life alone. Without Jimmy around, though, it's like the best part of her has died. How could he do this to herAnd why is love so hard?

The classic novel about Paddington—who's now a major movie star!Paddington Bear had traveled all the way from Peru when the Browns first met him in Paddington Station. Since then, their lives have never been quite the same . . . for ordinary things become extraordinary when a bear called Paddington is involved.First published in 1958, A Bear Called Paddington is the first novel by Michael Bond, chronicling the adventures of this lovable bear. Paddington has charmed readers for generations with his earnest good intentions and humorous misadventures. This brand-new edition of the classic novel contains the original text by Michael Bond and illustrations by Peggy Fortnum.

If offered the chance-by cloak, spell, or superpower-to be invisible, who wouldn't want to give it a tryWe are drawn to the idea of stealthy voyeurism and the ability to conceal our own acts, but as desirable as it may seem, invisibility is also dangerous. It is not just an optical phenomenon, but a condition full of ethical questions. As esteemed science writer Philip Ball reveals in this book, the story of invisibility is not so much a matter of how it might be achieved but of why we want it and what we would do with it.In this lively look at a timeless idea, Ball provides the first comprehensive history of our fascination with the unseen. This sweeping narrative moves from medieval spell books to the latest nanotechnology, from fairy tales to telecommunications, from camouflage to ghosts to the dawn of nuclear physics and the discovery of dark energy. ?Along the way, Invisible tells little-known stories about medieval priests who blamed their misdeeds on spirits; the Cock Lane ghost, which intrigued both Samuel Johnson and Charles Dickens; the attempts by Victorian scientist William Crookes to detect forces using tiny windmills; novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton's belief that he was unseen when in his dressing gown; and military efforts to enlist magicians to hide tanks and ships during WWII. ?Bringing in such voices as Plato and Shakespeare, Ball provides not only a scientific history but a cultural one-showing how our simultaneous desire for and suspicion of the invisible has fueled invention and the imagination for centuries.In this unusual and clever book, Ball shows that our fantasies about being unseen-and seeing the unseen-reveal surprising truths about who we are.

The first novel Anthony Powell published following the completion of his epic A Dance to the Music of Time, O, How the Wheel Becomes It! fulfills perhaps every author's fantasy as it skewers a conceited, lazy, and dishonest critic. A writer who avoids serving in World War II and veers in and out of marriage, G. F. H. Shadbold ultimately falls victim to the title's spinning-and righteous-emblem of chance. Sophisticated and a bit cruel, Wheel's tale of posthumous vengeance is, nonetheless, irresistible.Written at the peak of the late British master's extraordinary literary career, this novel offers profound insight into the mind of a great artist whose unequaled style, ear for dialogue, and eye for irony will delight devotees and new readers alike.

Thomas Bernhard is "e;one of the masters of contemporary European fiction"e; (George Steiner); "e;one of the century's most gifted writers"e; (Newsday); "e;a virtuoso of rancor and rage"e; (Bookforum). And although he is favorably compared with Franz Kafka, Samuel Beckett, and Robert Musil, it is only in recent years that he has gained a devoted cult following in America.A powerful, compact novella, Walking provides a perfect introduction to the absurd, dark, and uncommonly comic world of Bernhard, showing a preoccupation with themes-illness and madness, isolation, tragic friendships-that would obsess Bernhard throughout his career. Walking records the conversations of the unnamed narrator and his friend Oehler while they walk, discussing anything that comes to mind but always circling back to their mutual friend Karrer, who has gone irrevocably mad. Perhaps the most overtly philosophical work in Bernhard's highly philosophical oeuvre, Walking provides a penetrating meditation on the impossibility of truly thinking.

Cycling has experienced a renaissance in the United States, as cities around the country promote the bicycle as an alternative means of transportation. In the process, debates about the nature of bicycles-where they belong, how they should be ridden, how cities should or should not accommodate them-have played out in the media, on city streets, and in city halls. Very few people recognize, however, that these questions are more than a century old.The Cycling City?is a sharp history of the bicycle's rise and fall in the late nineteenth century. In the 1890s, American cities were home to more cyclists, more cycling infrastructure, more bicycle friendly legislation, and a richer cycling culture than anywhere else in the world.Evan Friss unearths the hidden history of the cycling city, demonstrating that diverse groups of cyclists managed to remap cities with new roads, paths, and laws, challenge social conventions, and even dream up a new urban ideal inspired by the bicycle. When cities were chaotic and filthy, bicycle advocates imagined an improved landscape in which pollution was negligible, transportation was silent and rapid, leisure spaces were democratic, and the divisions between city and country were blurred. Friss argues that when the utopian vision of a cycling city faded by the turn of the century, its death paved the way for today's car-centric cities-and ended the prospect of a true American cycling city ever being built.

Hegel's Theory of Intelligibility?picks up on recent revisionist readings of Hegel to offer a productive new interpretation of his notoriously difficult work, the Science of Logic. Rocio Zambrana transforms the revisionist tradition by distilling the theory of normativity that Hegel elaborates in the?Science of Logic?within the context of his signature treatment of negativity, unveiling how both features of his system of thought operate on his theory of intelligibility. ?Zambrana clarifies crucial features of Hegel's theory of normativity previously thought to be absent from the argument of the?Science of Logic-what she calls normative precariousness and normative ambivalence. She shows that Hegel's theory of determinacy views intelligibility as both precarious, the result of practices and institutions that gain and lose authority throughout history, and ambivalent, accommodating opposite meanings and valences even when enjoying normative authority. In this way, Zambrana shows that the Science of Logic provides the philosophical justification for the necessary historicity of intelligibility. Intervening in several recent developments in the study of Kant, Hegel, and German Idealism more broadly, this book provides a productive new understanding of the value of Hegel's systematic ambitions.