Eastern Roman

Combining research from Asian scholars with his many years of experience living and working in East Asia, Brad directs our attention to Paul's letter to the Romans. He argues that some traditional East Asian cultural values are closer to those of the first-century biblical world than common Western cultural values. In addition, he adds his voice to the scholarship engaging the values of honor and shame in particular and their influence on biblical interpretation.

Hold onto your magic hats for another spellbinding adventure! All aboard for Rome! Maxat sets sail for the city of history, song, gods and goddesses, art...and delicious ice cream. There are a thousand sights to see...but the one sight Maxat could do without seeing is the figure staring back at him from a very old mirror. After a fierce and shocking fight, it becomes clear that a perilous piece of history is repeating itself here and now, threatening to tear apart a lifelong friendship. Usually the rescuer, Maxat now needs to be rescued.

With his characteristic clarity and elegance A. C. Grayling takes the listener from the worldviews and moralities before the age of the Buddha, Confucius and Socrates, through Christianity's dominance of the European mind, to the Renaissance and Enlightenment, and on to Mill, Nietzsche, Sartre and philosophy today. And, since the story of philosophy is incomplete without mention of the great philosophical traditions of India, China and the Persian-Arabic world, he gives a comparative survey of them, too.  

Described by the Dalai Lama as “one of the greatest thinkers of the age”, Jiddu Krishnamurti has influenced millions throughout the 20th century, including Aldous Huxley, Bertrand Russell, Henry Miller and Joseph Campbell. Born of middle-class Brahmin parents in 1895, Krishnamurti was recognized at age fourteen by theosophists Annie Besant and C W Leadbetter as an anticipated world teacher and proclaimed to be the vehicle for the reincarnation of Christ in the West and of Buddha in the East.

The Byzantine Empire was founded during the chaotic third century. It was the time when revolts and civil wars were common, and Roman emperors merely lasted for a year. Despite being one of the most captivating historical periods of all time, the Byzantine Empire is a lesser known one.

Romania lies on Europe’s eastern border, and as such, it is often neglected in history. Although it is a culturally very rich country, the world displayed little interest in its promotion. By listening to this captivating history of Romania, you will learn about the turbulent past of the region, the many wars it fought, and the people who led them. You will also learn the truth behind the character of Vlad the Impaler and decide for yourself if he was a ruthless, bloodthirsty ruler or a politician, tactician, and national hero.

The Tao Te Ching is a compilation of meditations, comprised of 81 short chapters. Each chapter reflects on the beauty and mystical nature of the Tao (the Way). Tao Te Ching (Book of the Way) is one of the oldest written works that provides advice and guidance on perspective, inner strength, divine power, and moral excellence, among other principles of the universe. This 21st-century edition has been translated so that ancient text (originally written in classical Chinese in the fourth century BC) can be understood and enjoyed by the average listener.

A leading Christian intellectual and a global citizen, Thomas Merton was known for his mission to understand and learn from other cultures’ worldviews and philosophies. Now, as you listen to these nine captivating talks on Chinese and Greek philosophy, your own interest in these ancient schools of thought, Eastern and Western, will be ignited.  

How does the Byzantine Empire, which fell in 1453, still apply to us today? Many of us do not know much about the Byzantine Empire; it lived on in the East after the Roman Empire fell, but its one-thousand-year history is full of innovations that have changed how we create art, write laws, and think about our lives today. The Byzantine Empire was a key factor that started the Italian Renaissance and moved Western Europe out of the Middle Ages. Far from being ancient history, the Byzantine Empire still impacts our lives today.

In the third century CE, as Roman leaders vied with each other for power and constantly fought civil wars, Rome’s famous roads fell into disrepair, the economy was crippled, the continent-wide trade system that had flourished in the previous years was replaced with a basic barter system, and there was a reduction in international trade. People became ever more fearful for their personal safety, and the imperial crisis saw an increasing trend toward sacrificing personal liberties and rights in return for guarantees of safety from wealthy landowners.

Das Byzantinische Reich wurde während des chaotischen dritten Jahrhunderts gegründet. Es war die Zeit, in der Aufstände und Bürgerkriege an der Tagesordnung waren und die römischen Kaiser nur ein Jahr im Amt blieben. Obwohl es eine der fesselndsten historischen Epochen aller Zeiten ist, ist das Byzantinische Reich weniger bekannt, und es ist selten, dass man ein fesselndes Buch zu diesem Thema findet. Aber das wird sich jetzt ändern.

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.

In this accessible and beautiful book, Yen Ooi explains the various facets of Rén and explores how this philosophy applies to everything from our relationship with ourselves and the people in our lives, to how we relate to society and the wider world. She shows us how, using the basic principles of Rén and through simple changes to our lives, we can connect better with friends, family, and colleagues, become helpful members of society, and find fulfillment in ideas of community, justice, morality, and compassion.

So sit back, relax, and perhaps pour yourself a drink or light up a cigar if that's your preference. Join the author on this thought-provoking exploration, where the wisdom of ancient philosophies meets the challenges of the 21st century. Stoic Taoism offers a unique perspective that will inspire you to find your own truth and embrace a fulfilling life in today's fast-paced society.

The Tao Te Ching is a Chinese classic text traditionally credited to the 6th-century BC sage Lao Tzu. The text's authorship, date of composition, and date of compilation are debated. The Tao Te Ching, along with the Zhuangzi, is a fundamental text for both philosophical and religious Taoism. It also strongly influenced other schools of Chinese philosophy and religion, including Legalism, Confucianism, and Buddhism, which was largely interpreted through the use of Taoist words and concepts when it was originally introduced to China.

Through its compelling narrative and comprehensive exploration of Romani history, folklore, and traditions, Don't Call Me Gypsy: A Journey through Czech Romani History and Fairy Tales is an invaluable resource for those interested in Romani culture, heritage, and the Czech Romani community. Embark on an unforgettable journey through this book, gaining a deeper understanding of the enduring legacy of the Romani people in the Czech Republic.

Maxat and his gang are on the way to Greece. Next stop: the wonderful island of Crete! Crete is a land of fabulous stories about gods, heroes...and monsters, like the fierce beast trapped in a dark maze that’s impossible to escape from. 

Hold onto your magic hats for another spellbinding adventure! Greece just keeps on getting more and more exciting, but when Maxat sets foot on special island Naxos, he can feel that something’s not right. Which is why Ermek should have thought carefully before approaching the crying noise. It’s also why Maxat should think carefully before disagreeing with powerful forces. Before they know it, Maxat and his tiger cub friend have upset one-half of the islanders and confused the other half...not to mention the angry gods!

Hold on to your magic hats for another spellbinding adventure! Maxat the magician is having a sensational time in Greece. He should be taking it easy on his holiday, but somehow, adventures keep on finding him and his buddy, Ermek the tiger cub. Today starts like any other day, until the boy and his cub come across someone who’s been trapped for a very long time. After all, when you annoy the king of the heavens and the Earth, there is a high price to pay.