Author: Jacques Rancière File Type: pdf In this book the influential philosopher Jacques Ranciere, in discussion with Peter Engelmann, explores the enduring connection between politics and aesthetics, arguing that aesthetics forms the fundamental basis for social and political upheaval. Beginning from his rejection of structuralist Marxism, Ranciere outlines the development of his thought from his early studies on workers emancipation to his recent work on literature, film and visual art. Rather than discussing aesthetics within narrow terms of how we contemplate art or beauty, Ranciere argues that aesthetics underpins our entire regime of experience. He shows how political relations develop from sensual experience, as individual feelings and perceptions become the concern of the community as a whole. Since politics emerges from the division of the sensual, aesthetic experience becomes a radically emancipatory and egalitarian means to disrupt this order and transform political reality. Investigating new forms of emancipatory politics arising from current art practices and social movements, this short book will appeal to anyone interested in contemporary art, aesthetics, philosophy and political theory.

Author: John Morrill File Type: pdf First published as part of the best-selling The Oxford Illustrated History of Britain, John Morrills Very Short Introduction to Stuart Britain sets the Revolution into its political, religious, social, economic, intellectual, and cultural contexts. It thus seeks to integrate what most other surveys pull apart. It gives a graphic account of the effects of a century-long period during which population was growing inexorably and faster than both the food supply and the employment market. It looks at the failed attempts of successive governments to make all those under their authority obedient members of a unified national church it looks at how Charles I blundered into a civil war which then took on a terrifying momentum of its own. The result was his trial and execution, the abolition of the monarchy, the house of lords, the bishops, the prayer book and the celebration of Christmas. As a result everything else that people took for granted came up for challenge, and this book shows how painfully and with what difficulty order and obedience was restored. Vividly illustrated and full of startling detail, this is an ideal introduction to those interested in getting into the period, and also contains much to challenge and stimulate those who already feel at home in Stuart England.

Author: Bill Pittman File Type: epub The never before told story of the forces that inspired the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. The Roots of Alcoholics Anonymous is a fascinating history of treatment for alcoholism that traces societys shifting sentiments towards recovery. Author Bill Pittman uncovers a wealth of new and fascinating information about the people, movements and organizations behind Alcoholics Anonymous.Pittman has dug deeply into the early history of AA. He has used recent scholarship on the subject well and done a mountain of new research. The entire Alcohol Studies field should find this book highly interesting.Penny Booth Page, Rutgers Center for Alcohol StudiesA challenging and thought provoking book.Ernest Kurtz, Ph.D., author of Not God A History of AAI like Bill Pittmans factual approach to the years leading up to the birth of AA.Ruth Hock Crecellius, Bill Wilsons first secretaryAn honest, accurate and readable history of AA.Bob Morris, Minneapolis, MinnesotaComplete and informative--a valuable book for anyone in the alcohol studies field.Curtis M., New York CityPittman has written a comprehensive and insightful history of the evolution of AA.Peter L., Waltham, Massachusetts

Author: Michael Harner File Type: pdf This classic on shamanism pioneered the modern shamanic renaissance. It is the foremost resource and reference on shamanism. Now, with a new introduction and a guide to current resources, anthropologist Michael Harner provides the definitive handbook on practical shamanism what it is, where it came from, how you can participate.Wonderful, fascinating Harner really knows what hes talking about.CARLOS CASTANEDAAn intimate and practical guide to the art of shamanic healing and the technology of the sacred. Michael Harner is not just an anthropologist who has studied shamanism he is an authentic white shaman.STANILAV GROF, author of The Adventure Of Self DiscoveryHarner has impeccable credentials, both as an academic and as a practising shaman. Without doubt (since the recent death of Mircea Eliade) the worlds leading authority on shamanism.NEVILL DRURY, author of The Elements of ShamanismMichael Harner, Ph.D., has practised shamanism and shamanic healing for more than a quarter of a century. He is the founder and director of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies in Norwalk, Connecticut.ReviewWonderful, fascinating...Harner really knows what hes talking about. (Carlos Castaneda )An intimate and practical guide to the art of shamanic healing and the technology of the sacred. Michael Harner is not just an anthropologist who has studied shamanism he is an authentic white shaman. (Stanislav Grof, author of The Adventure of Self-Discovery )Harner has impeccable credentials, both as an academic and as a practicing shaman. Without doubt (since the death of Mircea Eliade) the worlds leading authority on shamanism. (Nevill Drury, author of The Elements of Shamanism )What Yogananda did for Hinduism and D.T. Suzuki did for Zen, Michael harner has done for shamanism. (Roger Walsh and Charles S. Grob, authors of Higher Wisdom ) About the AuthorMichael Harner, Ph.D., has taught anthropology at various institutions, including the University of California at Berkeley, Columbia University, Yale University, and the New School in New York, and has practiced shamanism and shamanic healing since 1961 when he was initiated into Upper Amazonian shamanism. He is the founder of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies in Mill Valley, California.