"The Book of Five Rings," written by the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi, is a classic work detailing combat techniques and strategies, as well as profound reflections on martial arts and the philosophy of life. Divided into five chapters, each corresponding to an element - Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Void - this text explores the nuances of martial strategy and offers teachings that transcend time, applicable both in physical confrontation and in the challenges of everyday life.New in this edition: This new edition adds an additional dimension to Miyamoto Musashi's classic work. It includes a detailed biography that sheds light on the life and times of the samurai, offering an enriched context to better understand his teachings. Furthermore, the book is enhanced with illustrations that visualize the concepts and strategies described, offering an immersive reading experience. The original translation into modern French makes the text more accessible, opening Miyamoto Musashi's wisdom to a broader audience and facilitating the understanding of his timeless strategies and philosophies. Read more

A new book from one our most acclaimed writers. ‘We always believe that changing our mind is an improvement, bringing a greater truthfulness to our dealings with the world and other people. It puts an end to vacillation, uncertainty, weak-mindedness. It seems to make us stronger and more mature. Well, we would think that, wouldn't we?’ In this engaging and erudite essay, critically acclaimed writer Julian Barnes explores what is involved when we change our minds: about words, about politics, about books; about memories, age and time. Read more

'Thich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between personal, inner peace, and peace on earth.' The Dalai LamaIn The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching, Thich Nhat Hanh brings his gift of clear and poetic expression to an explanation of the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and other basic Buddhist teachings. Thich Nhat Hanh's extraordinary contribution to Buddhism and to life is the way he makes these teachings and practices accessible to everyone, showing us how the very suffering that is holding us down can be the path to our liberation. Read more

The Book of Five Rings is one of the most insightful texts on the subtle arts of confrontation and victory to emerge from Asian culture. Written not only for martial artists but for anyone who wants to apply the timeless principles of this text to their life, the book analyzes the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every level of human interaction. The Book of Five Rings was composed in 1643 by the famed duelist and undefeated samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Thomas Cleary's translation is immediately accessible, with an introduction that presents the spiritual background of the warrior tradition. Along with Musashi's text, Cleary translates here another important Japanese classic on leadership and strategy, The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War by Yagyu Munenori, which highlights the ethical and spiritual insights of Taoism and Zen as they apply to the way of the warrior. Read more

Two spiritual giants. Seven days. One timeless question.'The ultimate source of happiness is within us.' DALAI LAMA'We grow in kindness when our kindness is tested.' DESMOND TUTUArchbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama have been friends for many, many years. Between them, they have endured exile, violence and oppression. And in the face of these hardships, they have continued to radiate compassion, humour and above all, joy.To celebrate His Holiness's eightieth birthday, Archbishop Tutu travelled to the Dalai Lama's home in Dharamsala. The two men spent a week discussing a single burning question: how do we find joy in the face of suffering?This book is a gift from two of the most important spiritual figures of our time. Full of love, warmth and hope, The Book of Joy offers us the chance to experience their journey from first embrace to final goodbye. Read more

THE NO. 1 BESTSELLERIn his hotly anticipated autobiography, Johnny Sexton tells the story of his life and explores the sources of his unmatched will to win.'Sexton will go down as Ireland's greatest ever player' Gordon D'Arcy, Irish Times‘A revealing glimpse into the psyche of a serial winner’ Robert Kitson, Guardian___________________Four European Cups. Four Six Nations championships (including two Grand Slams). A series win in New Zealand. Two stints for Ireland at number 1 in the world. And the World Player of the Year award. No Irish rugby player has ever achieved more, or been a source of more inspiration to teammates and fans alike, than Johnny Sexton.Outspoken, on and off the field, Sexton offers an honest look at his childhood, his relationships with key teammates and coaches (including Brian O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connell, Ronan O'Gara, Joe Schmidt and Andy Farrell), and his ideas about the game.But it is also a work of deep self-exploration, tracing the psychological arc of a player who almost always felt embattled, who struggled with self-doubt, and who was still learning new lessons about being a team-mate and a leader into his late thirties.Intense, witty, perceptive and frank, Obsessed is an autobiography worthy of its author and the essential chronicle of an extraordinary era in Irish rugby.___________________'Levels of wit and psychological insight that are all too rare in a sporting star’s autobiography’ The Telegraph'A fascinating portrait of a man always at war … Candid, frank and brilliantly written, this is a must for any rugby lover’ Daily Mail'A seriously compelling book’ Stephen Jones, Sunday Times'The best ever Irish player to play the game' Andy Farrell‘An autobiography to be inhaled’ Irish Examiner‘Sexton is on that rarefied plane of athlete where even his mere presence can feel quietly decisive’ Jonathan Liew, Guardian‘An essential read for any keen follower of professional sport in Ireland’ Irish Independent‘One of the best sports biographies in any discipline in recent times’ RTÉ Guide‘A rich insight into one of Irish sport’s most complex, high-performing minds … up there with the all-time great rugby books.’ Irish Independent Read more

'This is a very worthwhile book. It can change individual lives and the life of our society.' The Dalai LamaLucidly and beautifully written, Peace is Every Step contains commentaries and meditations, personal anecdotes and stories from Nhat Hanh's experiences as a peace activist, teacher, and community leader. It begins where the reader already is - in the kitchen, office, driving a car, walking in a park - and shows how deep meditative presence is available now. Nhat Hanh provides exercises to increase our awareness of our own body and mind through conscious breathing, which can bring immediate joy and peace. Nhat Hanh also shows how to be aware of relationships with others and of the world around us, its beauty and also its pollution and injustices. The deceptively simple practices of Peace is Every Step encourage the reader to work for peace in the world as he or she continues to work on sustaining inner peace by turning the 'mindness' into the mindful. Read more

In this unique book, His Holiness the Dalai Lama tells the full story of his 75-year struggle with China to save Tibet and its people.Instant New York Times BestsellerThe Dalai Lama has had to contend with the People’s Republic of China his entire life. He was 15 years old when communist China invaded Tibet in 1950, only 19 when he had his first meeting with Chairman Mao in Beijing, and 24 when he was forced to escape to India and became a leader in exile. Almost 75 years after China’s initial invasion of Tibet, the Dalai Lama has faced communist China’s leaders – Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping – in his effort to protect Tibet and its people.In Voice for the Voiceless, the Dalai Lama reminds the world of Tibet’s unresolved struggle for freedom and the hardship his people continue to face in their homeland. The book captures his extraordinary life, uncovering what it means to lose your home to a repressive invader and build a life in exile; dealing with the existential crisis of a nation, its people, and its culture and religion; and envisioning the path forward.Voice for the Voiceless is a powerful testimony from a global icon, sharing both his pain and his enduring hope in his people’s ongoing quest to restore dignity and freedom. Read more

Discover everything you’ve ever wondered about the legendary spirits, creatures, and figures of Japanese folklore including how they have found their way into every corner of our pop culture from the creator of the podcast Uncanny Japan. Welcome to The Book of Japanese Folklore: a fascinating journey through Japan’s folklore through profiles of the legendary creatures and beings who continue to live on in pop culture today. From the sly kitsune to the orgrish oni and mischievous shape-shifting tanuki, learn all about the origins of these fantastical and mythical creatures. This gorgeous package is complete with stained edges and stunning four-color illustrations. With information on their cultural significance, a retelling of a popular tale tied to that particular yokai, and how it’s been spun into today’s popular culture, this handsome tome teaches you about the stories and histories of the beings that inspired characters in your favorite movies, animes, manga, and games. Adventure, mystery, and amazing tales await in The Book of Japanese Folklore. Read more

How Religion Poisons Everything Read more

In god is Not Great Hitchens turned his formidable eloquence and rhetorical energy to the most controversial issue in the world: God and religion. The result is a devastating critique of religious faithgod Is Not Great is the ultimate case against religion. In a series of acute readings of the major religious texts, Christopher Hitchens demonstrates the ways in which religion is man-made, dangerously sexually repressive and distorts the very origins of the cosmos. Above all, Hitchens argues that the concept of an omniscient God has profoundly damaged humanity, and proposes that the world might be a great deal better off without 'him'. Read more

With his trademark humor and flair, bestselling linguist John McWhorter busts the myths and shares the history of the most controversial language topic of our times: pronounsThe nature of language is to shift and evolve--but every so often, a new usage creates a whole lot of consternation. These days, pronouns are throwing curveballs, and it matters, because pronoun habits die hard. If you need a refresher from eighth-grade English: Pronouns are short, used endlessly, and serve to point and direct, to orient us as to what is meant about who. Him, not her. Me, not you. Pronouns get a heavy workout, and as such, they become part of our hardwiring. To mess with our pronouns is to mess with us. But many of today's hot-button controversies are nonsense. The singular they has been with us since the 1400s and appears in Shakespeare's works. In fact, many of the supposedly iron-clad rules of grammar are up for debate (Billy and me went to the store is perfectly logical!), and with tasty trivia, unexpected twists, and the weird quirks of early and contemporary English, John McWhorter guides readers on a journey of how our whole collection of these little words emerged and has changed over time. Read more

'Thich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between personal, inner peace, and peace on earth.' The Dalai LamaIn The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching, Thich Nhat Hanh brings his gift of clear and poetic expression to an explanation of the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and other basic Buddhist teachings. Thich Nhat Hanh's extraordinary contribution to Buddhism and to life is the way he makes these teachings and practices accessible to everyone, showing us how the very suffering that is holding us down can be the path to our liberation. Read more

Yoga brings not only a suppleness to the body but also a sense of spiritual and physical well-being to those who practice it. Featuring over 170 postures from the main schools of yoga, The Yoga Bible is the ultimate, comprehensive guide to practicing yoga and finding a mental and physical balance in life. The book encourages yoga beginners and experts alike to find a yoga sequence that suits their personal needs and abilities. Read more

This is a book about awareness - it's about being 'awake' and in touch with what is going on here and now. Practical and down-to-earth, it deals exclusively with the present, not with speculation, theory or belief in some far-off time and place. The teachings of the Buddha are plain and straightforward, and because they remain focused on the moment they are just as relevant now as they have ever been. BUDDHISM PLAIN AND SIMPLE is the book for anyone wanting to discover, or rediscover, the essence of Buddhism. Read more

'Science has never had an advocate quite like David Deutsch ... A computational physicist on a par with his touchstones Alan Turing and Richard Feynman, and a philosopher in the line of his greatest hero, Karl Popper. His arguments are so clear that to read him is to experience the thrill of the highest level of discourse available on this planet and to understand it' Peter Forbes, IndependentIn our search for truth, how far have we advanced? This uniquely human quest for good explanations has driven amazing improvements in everything from scientific understanding and technology to politics, moral values and human welfare. But will progress end, either in catastrophe or completion - or will it continue infinitely?In this profound and seminal book, David Deutsch explores the furthest reaches of our current understanding, taking in the Infinity Hotel, supernovae and the nature of optimism, to instill in all of us a wonder at what we have achieved - and the fact that this is only the beginning of humanity's infinite possibility.'This is Deutsch at his most ambitious, seeking to understand the implications of our scientific explanations of the world ... I enthusiastically recommend this rich, wide-ranging and elegantly written exposition of the unique insights of one of our most original intellectuals' Michael Berry, Times Higher Education Supplement 'Bold ... profound ... provocative and persuasive' Economist'David Deutsch may well go down in history as one of the great scientists of our age' Scotsman Read more

A philosophical odyssey into life's fundamental questions during an unforgettable summer motorcycle trip, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance transformed a generation and continues to inspire millions.One of the most influential books written in the past half-century, Robert Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a powerful examination of how we live and a breathtaking meditation on how to live better. Following a father and his young son on a summer motorcycle trip across America's Northwest, it is a story of love, fear, growth, discovery and acceptance. Both personal and philosophical, it is a compelling study of relationships, values, and eventually, enlightenment - resonant with the confusions and wonders of existence. Acclaimed as one of the most exciting books in the history of American letters, this modern epic became an instant bestseller upon publication in 1974. 'The book is inspired, original...the analogies with Moby-Dick are patent' New Yorker'Mr Pirsig has written a work of great, perhaps urgent, importance... Read this book' Observer Read more

Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction introduces the reader to the teachings of the Buddha and to the workings of Buddhism in daily life. Damien Keown looks at the distinctive features of Buddhism, examining who the Buddha was and what his teachings were. By considering how Buddhist thought has developed over the centuries, Keown considers how contemporary dilemmas can be faced from a Buddhist perspective. In this new edition Keown provides new perspectives on Buddhist thought, including up-to-date material about the evolution of Buddhism throughout Asia, the material culture of Buddhism and its importance, new teachings on the ethics of war and peace, and changes to ethnicity, class, and gender. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. Read more

"There is no path to happiness: happiness is the path." BuddhaAre you living a life filled with seemingly endless obligations, deadlines, and stressors? All creating a constant hum of anxiety and stress in your life.Maybe your struggle is more subtle. Perhaps you feel a sense of dissatisfaction or emptiness. You yearn for a deeper sense of fulfillment, a sense of peace and contentment that doesn't depend on external circumstances.In this blueprint to life, you will learn that the philosophies of Buddhism are not about blind faith; it is about active practice and transformative personal experience. It offers pragmatic approaches to self-understanding and provides practical tools to navigate your way through. In a world where mental health issues are escalating, this compassionate approach has the potential to catalyze profound healing and growth.With clarity, depth, and humor, this book explores the core concepts and principles of Buddhism, enabling you to grasp their relevance in today's modern world. You will discover how ancient Buddhist concepts applied in your life can shape your actions and lead to a life lived with integrity, compassion, and peace.In this straightforward guide, you will:Understand how Buddhism transcends conventional dogma, it is a philosophical framework - unveiling the pathway on how to integrate these lessons into your life;Learn that Buddhism is about fully engaging with the world, not about retreating from it, and tapping into your innate potential for compassion and wisdom;Learn practical guidelines for ethical and mental development;Learn to let go of unhelpful habits and behavior patterns;Learn to cultivate mindfulness and presence;See how this can lead to a profound transformation;Unlock the boundless reservoir of abundance within yourself;Be able to facilitate deep contemplation, practice, and skillful integration of these profound teachings;Undertake simple exercises, strategies, and techniques throughout the book to practice and engage with the principles as you learn them, and gain a more personal understanding of the outcome behind the concepts.A practical and easy-to-follow roadmap where you can experience:A profound sense of purpose, meaning, and interconnectedness;How to apply Buddhist principles in practical ways to transform your mindset and improve your daily life;Mindfulness, meditation, and self-reflection, through which you will learn to let go of stress, anxiety, and negative emotions, and actively cultivate understanding, wisdom, and calm;Unlock the secrets to inner peace and living in harmony with yourself and the world around you;A sense of calm and clarity, helping you navigate the ups and downs of life with grace and ease.Find out how today - Get your copy now Read more

Easwaran’s best-selling translation of this classic Buddhist text The Dhammapada is reliable, readable, and profound.Dhammapada means "the path of dharma," the path of harmony and righteousness that anyone can follow to reach the highest good. The Dhammapada is a collection of verses, gathered probably from direct disciples who wanted to preserve what they had heard from the Buddha himself.Easwaran's comprehensive introduction to the Dhammapada gives an overview of the Buddha's teachings that is penetrating, and clear – accessible for readers new to Buddhism, but also with fresh insights and practical applications for readers familiar with this text. His translation is based on the original Pali. Chapter introductions, notes and a Sanskrit glossary place individual verses into the context of the broader Buddhist canon.Easwaran is a master storyteller, and the introduction includes many stories that make moving, memorable reading, bringing young Siddhartha and his heroic spiritual quest vividly to life. This faithful interpretation brings us closer to the compassionate heart of the Buddha.--- Read more