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The Origin
of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind by Julian
Jaynes, Reissue Edition, Paperback, 491 pages, List: $16.95
A most thought-provoking
book, deservedly reprinted. Using Western Literature, primarily
Homer and the Old Testament, Mr. Jaynes makes a convincing case
for a dramatic change in the way humans think, beginning about 2,000
BC. Prior to that time, we were intelligent but acted in an almost
autotomic fashion through "voices" that came from a now silent portion
of our brains. Schizophrenia is a remnant of that voice in our time.
Homer's Iliad is from the "voices" time, while the Odyssey is a
chronicle from only a few hundred years later in which modern man
without his guiding "voices" has emerged. In contrast to Jack Miles'
interpretation of the Old Testament (see God A Biography above),
Mr. Jaynes views the Old Testament as a written chronicle of this
dramatic transition. Considering the developments in the interpretation
of Quantum Mechanics since this book was written (1976), it is probably
of more importance now than when it was written. Great for a rainy
evening.
Jude, the
Obscure by Thomas Hardy, Reprint Edition, Paperback, List: $7.95
This is a novel
of human striving, passion and society'sindifference to the individual.
When published in 1895, this book caused such an uproar that Thomas
Hardy (a great English novelist) never wrote another novel (just
poetry). Although controversial, it provides insight into the mind
of a person just outside of the society of his time, as well as
ours today.
A History
of Western Philosophy and Its Connection with Political and Social
Circumstances from the Earliest Times to the Present Day by
Bertrand Russell, 3rd Earl Russell, Paperback, List: $22.00
Bertrand Russell
was a penultimate materialist (we are meat machines with no soul,
no life after death, death is simply oblivion for ever). His response
to that philosophy was an outstanding outpouring of books. This
is one of the best reviews of western philosophy available. It is
readable, clear, entertaining and comprehensive. This is an introduction
into philosophy that is not boring or stuffy.
The Moral
Animal: Why We Are the Way We Are: The New Science of Evolutionary
Psychology by Robert Wright, Luann Walther (Editor), Reprint
Edition, Paperback, List: $14.00
Using recent
advances in evolutionary theory, Mr. Wright has generated an insightful
book on human relationships. This is not a technical book on genetics,
but a book about who we are as humans. Husbands, wives and children
will not view each other the same way after having read this. While
not intended for that genre, this qualifies as a "self help" book.
Johnny Got
His Gun by Dalton Trumbo, Reprint Edition, Paperback, List:
$10.95
First published
in 1939, this novel about the effects of war on a young man is a
strong statement about the costs of war to the individual.
The Birth
of the Modern: World Society 1815-1830 by Paul Johnson, Reprint
Edition, Paperback, List: $20.00
A thought-provoking
book about the genesis of our modern society. In many ways, we have
more in common with the people of 1830 than they had with the people
of 1780. The industrial revolution, modern art, modern transport,
nihilistic uncertainty and pants (for men, instead of dresses) were
all part of what came out of this dynamic time period.
Intellectuals
by Paul Johnson, Reprint Edition, Paperback, List: $15.00
An entertaining
review of the lives and thoughts of intellectuals over the past
century. His emphasis is on the concept of the intellectual (a recent
characterization) as well as how these people behave in their private
lives.
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