"The Republic is Plato's masterwork. It was written 2,400 years ago and remains one of the most widely read books in the world, famous for both the richness of its ideas and the virtuosity of its writing. Presented as a dialogue between Plato's teacher Socrates and various interlocutors, it is an exhortation to study philosophy, inviting its readers to reflect on the choices we must make if we are to live the best life available to us. This complex,...

This volume contains Paine's explosive Common Sense in its entirety, including the oft-ignored Appendix, as well as selections from his other major writings: The American Crisis, Rights of Man, and The Age of Reason. It also contains several of Paine's shorter essays. All the documents have been transcribed directly from the originals, making this edition the most reliable one available. Essays by Ian Shapiro, Jonathan Clark, Jane Calvert, and Eileen...

Francis de Sale's Introduction to the Devout Life has remained a uniquely accessible and relevant treasure of devotion for nearly four hundred years. As Bishop of Geneva in the first quarter of the seventeenth-century, Francis de Sales saw to the spiritual needs of everyone from the poorest peasants to court ladies. He found the desire to be closer to God in people from all levels of society, which led him to compile these instructions on how to live...

"For the first time in any modern language, a female scholar and translator reimagines The Art of War. Sun Tzu's ancient book of strategy and psychology has as much to tell us today as when it was first written 2,500 years ago. In a world forever at odds, his rules for anticipating the motivations and strategies of our competitors never cease to inspire leaders of all kinds. Michael Nylan, in her provocative introduction, sees new and unexpected lessons...

Sun Tzu's The Art of War is a true masterpiece, a series of brilliant aphorisms that illuminate the planning and conduct of war. Now this classic work is available in an elegant illustrated edition, featuring seventy-five color images. From perceptive descriptions of the nine varieties of terrain, to advice on how to gauge an enemy's weaknesses and strengths, to suggestions on the employment of secret agents, here is timeless advice on combat and...

"Sefer ha-Zohar ("The Book of Radiance") has been mesmerizing readers since its appearence in Spain over seven hundred years ago. The splendor and enigmatic appeal of this canonical text of Kabbalah has never intrigued readers of all faths more than today, as it inspires us to regain our lost intimacy with the Divine without renouncing ourselves or the world ... Now you can experiences the Zohar and understand it even with no previous knowledge of...