A classic work of philosophical advice, rendered into our vivid modern vernacular.
Living wisely, living well.
Today, maybe more than ever, we need Marcus Aurelius (121-180 C.E.). Emperor, warrior, statesman, and philosopher, he was the author of this guide to life that is based on the principles of stoicism. The ancient Stoics held that human beings needed to transcend their earthly wants and selfish goals and serve humankind itself. Marcus wrote: “In so far as I am the emperor Marcus Aurelius, my home city is Rome. In so far as I am a human being, my home city is the world. What benefits these two cities—that alone is the good I pursue.” Learned Roman that he was, Marcus wrote this work not in Latin but in Greek, and certain Greek words take on resonances far beyond their dictionary meaning. He uses the word “logos” to mean not simply “word,” but rather the guiding spirit we share with the divine. As for “psyche,” he has it evoke its root sense: breath, spirit, soul. Poochigian translates Marcus’ Greek into fluent, colloquial English, at times making the emperor sound like your favorite college professor, at times your therapist. “Stubbornly focus every instant…on doing what is at hand with conscientious and unaffected dignity, kindness, freedom, and justice….Don’t you see how few things a person has to master in order to live a harmonious and pious life?” And then there is the kicker: “To a person who sees everything arrive in its due season as good…death is not a big deal.” This work has been pushing people to live well for two millennia. Now, all we must do is read it again. This new translation makes Marcus’ advice hit home in an English of unaffected dignity.
A classic work of philosophical advice, rendered into our vivid modern vernacular.Pub Date: Jan. 6, 2026
ISBN: 9781324096399
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Liveright/Norton
Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2025
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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