« It is not for me to judge another man’s life. I must judge, I must choose, I must spurn, purely for myself. For myself, alone. » Based in the time of Gautama Buddha in India, this novel details a man’s journey to spiritual and mental enlightenment. Siddhartha, joined by his friend Govinda, leaves behind his home and family to embark upon his quest for spiritual illumination as an ascetic wandering beggar of the Shramanas. Steeped in the tenets of both psychoanalysis and Eastern mysticism, Siddhartha presents a strikingly original view of man and culture, and the arduous process of self-discovery that leads to reconciliation, harmony, and peace. Penned in a poetic yet powerful way by the Nobel Laureate Hermann Hesse in 1922, the book was originally written in German and then published in U.S. in 1951. It is considered as one of his most influential books on spirituality and wisdom. This book contains special quotes in the end, essay on Life of Buddha and its Lessons by H S Olcott and a detailed biography of Hermann Hesse
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.”
The Art of War by Sun Tzu is an ancient Chinese treatise on strategy, tactics, and warfare. Sun Tzu is a legendary figure in Chinese history, known for his brilliant strategical mind. He emphasized the need for adaptability, flexibility and the importance of understanding one’s strengths and weaknesses to be a successful leader and navigate life’s challenges.
Sun Tzu’s teachings encourage readers to think critically about their actions, and approach challenges with an analysis of both their and their adversaries’ strength and weaknesses. His teachings place great importance on active preparation for what one wants to achieve.
It is the ultimate guide for those seeking to improve their strategy, and leadership abilities, deal with conflict; reminding us that knowledge, adaptability, and sound planning are the keys to triumph in any task.
Dracula ‘There he lay looking as if youth had been half-renewed, for the white hair and moustache were changed to dark iron-grey, the cheeks were fuller, and the white skin seemed ruby-red underneath; the mouth was redder than ever, for on the lips were gouts of fresh blood, which trickled from the corners of the mouth and ran over the chin and neck. Even the deep, burning eyes seemed set amongst the swollen flesh, for the lids and pouches underneath were bloated. It seemed as if the whole awful creature were simply gorged with blood; he lay like a filthy leech, exhausted with his repletion.’
Les Miserables Vol 2 One of the great Classics of Western Literature, Les Misérables is a magisterial work which is rich in both character portrayal and meticulous historical description.
Characters such as the absurdly criminalised Valjean, the street urchin Gavroche, the rascal Thenardier, the implacable detective Javert, and the pitiful figure of the prostitute Fantine and her daughter Cosette, have entered the pantheon of literary dramatis personae.
The Best of Sherlock Holmes is a collection of twenty of the very best tales from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s fifty-six short stories featuring the arch sleuth. Basing his selection around the author’s own twelve personal favourites, David Stuart Davies has added a further eight sparkling stories to Conan Doyle’s ‘Baker Street Dozen’, creating a unique volume which distils the pure essence of the world’s most famous detective.
Sense Sensibility Introduction and Notes by Professor Stephen Arkin, San Francisco University.
‘Young women who have no economic or political power must attend to the serious business of contriving material security’. Jane Austen’s sardonic humour lays bare the stratagems, the hypocrisy and the poignancy inherent in the struggle of two very different sisters to achieve respectability.
Sense and Sensibility is a delightful comedy of manners in which the sisters Elinor and Marianne represent these two qualities. Elinor’s character is one of Augustan detachment, while Marianne, a fervent disciple of the Romantic Age, learns to curb her passionate nature in the interests of survival.
This book, the first of Austen’s novels to be published, remains as fresh a cautionary tale today as it ever was.
The Prince by Machiavelli was written in 1513 for the Medici, following their return to power in Florence, The Prince is a handbook on ruling and the exercise of power. It remains as relevant today as it was in the sixteenth century. Widely quoted in the Press and in academic publications, The Prince has direct relevance to the issues of business and corporate governance confronting global corporations as they enter a new millennium. Much of what Machiavelli wrote has become the common currency of realpolitik, yet still his ideas retain the power to shock and annoy. In the words of Norman Stone, The Prince is ‘a manual of man-management that would suit a great many parts of the modern world’.
It’s the 20th century and Virginia Woolf is invited to speak to a roomful of young writers at a few colleges. She left the room and society at large perplexed with the thoughts she raised. Would Shakespeare’s sisters be given the same room to flourish if she had his skill sets? Can a women flourish if given the physical space to be by herself and ideate? Can a woman find a professional identity if not infrastructurally empowered? As a society do we allow this?
This book, although a work of fiction with a fictitious narrator and setting, is inspired by the lectures delivered by Woolf. As a revolutionary work, it remains poignant and relevant even today as we seemingly progress to an equal society but struggle with conditionings of gender roles. Despite its heavy subject, it’s an enjoyable, funny, sarcastic, and sensitive read; like a conversation with a dear friend.
“One can’t live with one’s finger everlastingly on one’s pulse.”
Charles Marlow, an English seaman, is an ivory trader on the Congo River in Central Africa. The story is a narration of his experiences as he journeys up the river in search of another trader named Mr. Kurtz.
As Marlow sails into the heart of Africa, he his horrified and confused by the brutalities he sees displayed at the hands of the traders; the torture, slavery and horror that is part of every-day life in that part of the world.
What happens when Marlow finally meets Kurtz? Will he question all of his assumptions and beliefs about civilization and human nature?
It’s a journey into the power struggle and dark truths of European Colonialism, displaying the blatant horrors human suppression. An evocative, thought-provoking book, forcing the reader to seek answers to the harsh realities of civilised life.
When Alice sees a white rabbit take a watch out of its waistcoat pocket she decides to follow it, and a sequence of most unusual events is set in motion. This mini book contains the entire topsy-turvy stories of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, accompanied by practical notes and Martina Pelouso’s memorable full-colour illustrations
Written in 1949, George Orwell’s dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four portrays a dreadful futuristic human condition under a repressive regime. The setting is Oceania, where individual free thought is banned. “Big Brother Is Watching You” becomes the moto of dictatorial policies that aim at controlling not only people’s behaviour but also their unorthodox thoughts.
Winston Smith, the protagonist of the story, works for the Ministry of Truth, and his mission consists in revising the country’s history by rewriting newspaper articles to manipulate the population and further repress individual liberties. However, Winston later engages in writing a secret diary in which he starts expressing his desires and yearning for freedom. This punishable “thoughtcrime” leads him to Room 101, where he endures severe “re-education” to readjust his seditious thoughts in such a way that his love for Julia turns into loyalty to Big Brother.
Between the Kent marshes and the intricacies of the London streets and life, Great Expectations brilliantly depicts the vivid recollections of the central character and narrator, Pip, from early childhood and poverty to mature adulthood and prestige, as well as his onesided love story with Estella. Written in the firstperson point of view, and using a retrospective, chronological narration, the novel allows the reader to share not only the protagonist’s physical growth but also his psychological development, from his experience as an orphan taken care of by the goodhearted Joe, his brotherinlaw, to the life of a gentleman. Charles Dickens (18121870) published the novel in its entirety in 1861, highlighting 19th century concerns, namely the Victorian classbased society, class transition, and financial uncertainty, along with the issues of pride, snobbery and loyalty, among others.
With over 2.5 million copies sold worldwide, Who Moved My Cheese? is a simple parable that reveals profound truths It is the amusing and enlightening story of four characters who live in a maze and look for cheese to nourish them and make them happy. Cheese is a metaphor for what you want to have in life, for example a good job, a loving relationship, money or possessions, health or spiritual peace of mind. The maze is where you look for what you want, perhaps the organisation you work in, or the family or community you live in. The problem is that the cheese keeps moving. In the story, the characters are faced with unexpected change in their search for the cheese. One of them eventually deals with change successfully and writes what he has learned on the maze walls for you to discover. You’ll learn how to anticipate, adapt to and enjoy change and be ready to change quickly whenever you need to. Discover the secret of the writing on the wall for yourself and enjoy less stress and more success in your work and life. Written for all ages, this story takes less than an hour to read, but its unique insights will last a lifetime. Spencer Johnson, MD, is one of the world’s leading authors of inspirational writing. He has written many New York Times bestsellers, including the worldwide phenomenon Who Moved My Cheese? and, with Kenneth Blanchard, The One Minute Manager. His works have become cultural touchstones and are available in 40 languages.
“I realize now that there’s a lot to be said for traveling if you want to see something new.”
When Phileas Fogg, a wealthy gentleman, impulsively bets that he can travel the globe in just eighty days, he sets in motion an extraordinary chain of events. Leaving behind the comfort of his predictable life, Fogg and his loyal valet Passepartout, embark on a race against time.
Passing through exotic lands and dangerous locations, they seize whatever transportation is at hand―train or elephant.
Their quest for the ultimate adventure is not without its challenges. Fogg has become the prime suspect in a bank robbery, with a relentless detective hot on their heels. As they journey across continents, their race against time becomes a race for their freedom.
Will they conquer the world and prove Fogg’s audacious bet right? Prepare to be captivated by Verne’s masterful storytelling as he weaves a tale of suspense, and a thrilling spirit of adventure.
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