Finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize From the man who Oliver Sacks hailed as “one of the best scientist/writers of our time,” a collection of sharply observed, uproariously funny essays on the biology of human culture and behavior. In the tradition of Stephen Jay Gould and Oliver Sacks, Robert Sapolsky offers a sparkling and erudite collection of essays about science, the world, and our relation to both. “The Trouble with Testosterone” explores the influence of that notorious hormone on male aggression. “Curious George’s Pharmacy” reexamines recent exciting claims that wild primates know how to medicate themselves with forest plants. “Junk Food Monkeys” relates the adventures of a troop of baboons who stumble upon a tourist garbage dump. And “Circling the Blanket for God” examines the neurobiological roots underlying religious belief. Drawing on his career as an evolutionary biologist and neurobiologist, Robert Sapolsky writes about the natural world vividly and insightfully. With candor, humor, and rich observations, these essays marry cutting-edge science with humanity, illuminating the interconnectedness of the world’s inhabitants with skill and flair.

Written as a cultural weapon and a call to arms, Howl touched a raw nerve in Cold War America and has been controversial from the day it was first read aloud nearly fifty years ago. This first full critical and historical study of Howl brilliantly elucidates the nexus of politics and literature in which it was written and gives striking new portraits of Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and William Burroughs. Drawing from newly released psychiatric reports on Ginsberg, from interviews with his psychiatrist, Dr. Philip Hicks, and from the poet's journals, American Scream shows how Howl brought Ginsberg and the world out of the closet of a repressive society. It also gives the first full accounting of the literary figures―Eliot, Rimbaud, and Whitman―who influenced Howl, definitively placing it in the tradition of twentieth-century American poetry for the first time. As he follows the genesis and the evolution of Howl, Jonah Raskin constructs a vivid picture of a poet and an era. He illuminates the development of Beat poetry in New York and San Francisco in the 1950s--focusing on historic occasions such as the first reading of Howl at Six Gallery in San Francisco in 1955 and the obscenity trial over the poem's publication. He looks closely at Ginsberg's life, including his relationships with his parents, friends, and mentors, while he was writing the poem and uses this material to illuminate the themes of madness, nakedness, and secrecy that pervade Howl. A captivating look at the cultural climate of the Cold War and at a great American poet, American Scream finally tells the full story of Howl―a rousing manifesto for a generation and a classic of twentieth-century literature.

Traces the evolution of the Romantic approach to literary criticism and compares it to the other methods which prevailed in the early nineteenth century.

First published in 1973 – and followed by Volume II in 1976 and Volume III in 1980 – this anthology has assumed classic status in the field of Egyptology and portrays the remarkable evolution of the literary forms of one of the world’s earliest civilizations. Volume I outlines the early and gradual evolution of Egyptian literary genres, including biographical and historical inscriptions carved on stone, the various classes of literary works written with pen on papyrus, and the mortuary literature that focuses on life after death. Introduced with a new foreword by Antonio Loprieno. Volume II shows the culmination of these literary genres within the single period known as the New Kingdom (1550-1080 B.C.). With a new foreword by Hans-W. Fischer-Elfert. Volume III spans the last millennium of Pharaonic civilization, from the tenth century B.C. to the beginning of the Christian era. With a new foreword by Joseph G. Manning.

"If there is one genre that has captured the imagination of people in all walks of life throughout the world, it is the fairy tale. Yet we still have great difficulty understanding how it originated, evolved, and spread--or why so many people cannot resist its appeal, no matter how it changes or what form it takes. In this book, renowned fairy-tale expert Jack Zipes presents a provocative new theory about why fairy tales were created and retold--and why they became such an indelible and infinitely adaptable part of cultures around the world. Drawing on cognitive science, evolutionary theory, anthropology, psychology, literary theory, and other fields, Zipes presents a nuanced argument about how fairy tales originated in ancient oral cultures, how they evolved through the rise of literary culture and print, and how, in our own time, they continue to change through their adaptation in an ever-growing variety of media. In making his case, Zipes considers a wide range of fascinating examples, including fairy tales told, collected, and written by women in the nineteenth century; Catherine Breillat's film adaptation of Perrault's "Bluebeard"; and contemporary fairy-tale drawings, paintings, sculptures, and photographs that critique canonical print versions. While we may never be able to fully explain fairy tales, The Irresistible Fairy Tale provides a powerful theory of how and why they evolved--and why we still use them to make meaning of our lives."--Jacket.

The very best writing from one of America's most groundbreaking literary magazines. When Creative Nonfiction debuted in 1994, the literary genre it championed was largely the target of skepticism or downright ridicule. But at a time when few editors were interested in the personal essay, the magazine doggedly explored new ideas and fresh modes of expression, and over the next three decades, its contributors pioneered what would come to be known as the "fourth genre." The thirty-two essays collected here bring together some of the finest work Creative Nonfiction published over its seventy-eight issues. Read Pulitzer Prize-winner Charles Simic's boyhood remembrances of the bombing of Belgrade, Carolyn Forche's haunting, lyric catalog of her daily life as she faced down a cancer diagnosis, and John Edgar Wideman's meditation on the photo of a murdered boy his same age--Emmett Till--and how the image haunted him forever. Here, you'll find work by such luminaries as Adrienne Rich and John McPhee, but also essays from more contemporary voices like Brian Broome, Elizabeth Fortescue, and Anne McGrath. With an introduction by Lee Gutkind, Creative Nonfiction's founder and editor, this collection captures the evolution of a genre and the amazing work of the little magazine that helped make it all happen.

Soviet Psychiatry is a comprehensive book written by Joseph Wortis that provides an in-depth analysis of the development of psychiatry in the Soviet Union. The book covers the period from the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution to the 1970s, highlighting the political, social, and economic factors that influenced the evolution of Soviet psychiatry. Wortis examines the role of psychiatry in the Soviet Union's political system, including its use as a tool of repression and control. He also discusses the impact of Soviet psychiatry on the international community, including its influence on the development of psychiatric theory and practice in other countries. The book provides a detailed account of the controversies surrounding Soviet psychiatry, including the diagnosis of political dissidents as mentally ill and the use of psychiatric hospitals as prisons. Wortis draws on his own experiences as a psychiatrist in the Soviet Union, as well as interviews with other experts in the field, to provide a nuanced and insightful analysis of this complex topic. Overall, Soviet Psychiatry is an important resource for anyone interested in the history of psychiatry, Soviet history, or the intersection of politics and medicine.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Explores medieval French and English romances in their relation to the literary aesthetic of that vanished age as well as to the evolution of narrative. The framework of this investigation is chronological, beginning in the twelfth century with the work of Chrétien de Troyes and following through to the great Arhurian Prose Cycle and its remodelling by Sir Thomas Malory, whose mind and art the author strives constantly to elucidate. As it seeks out the meaning and design of the early masterpieces, the study transcends its chronological framework: major problems of style and technique arise that are of fundamental importance to the contemporary novel as well. Related phenomena in medieval painting, sculpture and manuscript ilumination are drawn upon to illustrate and reinforce the significance of the author's discoveries.

Architecturally Speaking is a comprehensive book written by Eugene Raskin that delves into the world of architecture. The book covers a wide range of topics related to architecture, including the history of architecture, architectural styles, building materials, and the role of the architect in society. The book is divided into several chapters, each of which focuses on a specific aspect of architecture. The first chapter provides an overview of the history of architecture, tracing the evolution of architecture from ancient times to the present day. The second chapter explores the different architectural styles that have emerged over the centuries, including Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Modernist styles. The third chapter delves into the materials used in architecture, including wood, stone, brick, and concrete. The fourth chapter focuses on the role of the architect in society, discussing the ethical and social responsibilities of architects and the impact of architecture on society. The book also includes numerous illustrations and photographs that help to bring the concepts discussed in the text to life. Overall, Architecturally Speaking is a must-read for anyone interested in architecture, whether they are students, professionals, or simply enthusiasts.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

""Life is Movement"" is a book written by Eugen Sandow, a renowned German bodybuilder and fitness expert. The book is a comprehensive guide to physical reconstruction and regeneration of the human body. It emphasizes the importance of movement and exercise in maintaining a healthy and fit body. The book is divided into several chapters, each focusing on a specific aspect of physical fitness. The first chapter discusses the importance of physical training and its impact on overall health. The following chapters cover topics such as breathing, posture, nutrition, and the benefits of different types of exercise.Sandow also provides detailed instructions on various exercises and workout routines, including weightlifting, calisthenics, and gymnastics. He emphasizes the importance of proper form and technique to avoid injury and maximize results.In addition to the practical advice, ""Life is Movement"" also includes philosophical and motivational insights. Sandow argues that physical fitness is not only important for health but also for personal development and success in life. He encourages readers to embrace a healthy lifestyle and to strive for excellence in all areas of their lives.Overall, ""Life is Movement"" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in physical fitness and health. Sandow's expertise and passion for fitness are evident throughout the book, making it an inspiring and informative read.This book describes the only natural, radical and permanent method of curing, preventing and eliminating disease and is dedicated by the author to the medical profession throughout the world. Sandow devoted assiduous study to the subject of the influence of scientific physical movement upon the wonderful cellular life of the body, and especially to the influence of physical movement, scientifically applied and carried out, upon the conscious evolution of new and better cells. This volume is the outcome of these studies, and its chief object is to show how such physical movement can reconstruct tissue that is diseased, replacing it with new and healthy tissue, and how, by applying it from childhood, we may prevent and even eradicate disease altogether. Illustrated.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

"A survey of modernist poetry" by renowned authors Robert Graves and Laura Riding stands as a seminal work in literary criticism, offering an indispensable examination of 20th-century poetic innovation. This landmark text provides a comprehensive and critical look at the rise of modernism in literature, delving into the foundational principles and varied expressions that shaped the movement. Graves and Riding meticulously analyze the historical trajectory of modernist poetry, tracing its evolution, identifying key figures, and exploring the profound shifts in form and content. This authoritative survey is essential for anyone interested in the history of poetry, the development of free verse, and the broader impact of modernism. It dissects the stylistic shifts and theoretical underpinnings that defined one of the most transformative periods in literary history, offering deep insights into the craft and intellectual currents of the era. "A survey of modernist poetry" remains a vital resource, offering profound understanding of the complex landscape of 20th-century poetry and the enduring legacy of modernism. As a carefully prepared print republication, it continues to serve as a cornerstone for students, scholars, and enthusiasts seeking clarity on a pivotal era of literary change. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

"The Ascent of Man" by Mathilde Blind is a powerful collection of poems exploring themes of evolution and human progress. Written by a significant woman author, this work delves into the concept of social evolution through compelling verse. This poetry examines humanity's journey, offering insightful reflections on societal development and change. A historical text meticulously prepared for print republication, Blind's poems resonate with enduring relevance, providing a unique perspective on the forces shaping our world. Explore the complexities of human advancement and the ongoing quest for a better future through the evocative language and timeless observations of Mathilde Blind. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

In this series of intricately related texts, internationally known poet, critic, and performance artist David Antin explores the experience of time―how it's felt, remembered, and recounted. These free-form talk pieces―sometimes called talk poems or simply talks―began as improvisations at museums, universities, and poetry centers where Antin was invited to come and think out loud. Serious and playful, they move rapidly from keen analysis to powerful storytelling to passages of pure comedy, as they range kaleidoscopically across Antin's experiences: in the New York City of his childhood and youth, the Eastern Europe of family and friends, and the New York and Southern California of his art and literary career. The author's analysis and abrasive comedy have been described as a mix of Lenny Bruce and Ludwig Wittgenstein, his commitment to verbal invention and narrative as a fusion of Mark Twain and Gertrude Stein. Taken together, these pieces provide a rich oral history of and critical context for the evolution of the California art scene from the 1960s onward.