Pecola Breedlove, a young eleven-year-old black girl, prays every day for beauty. Mocked by other children for the dark skin, curly hair, and brown eyes that set her apart, she yearns for the blond hair and blue eyes that she believes will allow her to finally fit in. Yet as her dreams grow more fervent, her life slowly starts to disintegrate in the face of adversity and strife. A powerful examination of our obsession with beauty and conformity.--From...

The bestselling author of The Power of Kindness shows how the ability to appreciate beauty-far from being a luxury or an afterthought-is vital to leading a happy, balanced, and satisfying life.
Beauty is all around us-in a flower, a song, the sound of falling water, or a dramatic painting. We often think of it as just "window dressing." But it's not. It is the balm of our existence, and we cannot live full and satisfying lives without...

In "Concerning the Spiritual in Art," Wassily Kandinsky, a pioneer of abstract art, invites you to embark on a profound exploration of the spiritual dimension of artistic expression. With his deep understanding of the intersection between art and spirituality, Kandinsky uncovers the veiled secrets that lie beneath the surface of every stroke and every hue. Through a series of captivating essays, Kandinsky delves into the importance of inner necessity,...

While Tolstoy may be best remembered as the talented Russian author of such monumentally great works as "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina", he also wrote prolifically in essay format on various subjects. In this volume Tolstoy turns his attention to the study of aesthetics and art in all its forms. Based on fifteen years of research, "What is Art?" is Tolstoy's intellectual exposition into answering the titular question. Rich with criticism for his...

The bestselling classic that redefined our view of the relationship between beauty and female identity.

In today's world, women have more power, legal recognition, and professional success than ever before. Alongside the evident progress of the women's movement, however, writer and journalist Naomi Wolf is troubled by a different kind of social control, which, she argues, may prove just as restrictive as the traditional image of

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"What is history and why should we study it? Is there such a thing as historical truth? Is history an art or science? One of the most accomplished historians at work today, John Lewis Gaddis, answers these and many other questions in this witty, engaging, and humane book. The Landscape of History provides a searching look at the historian's craft, as well as a strong argument for why a historical consciousness should matter to us today."--Jacket.

"Counsels and Maxims: The Essays of Arthur Schopenhauer" by Arthur Schopenhauer is a thought-provoking collection of philosophical essays that offer profound insights and practical wisdom for navigating the complexities of human existence. In this compelling anthology, Schopenhauer distills his philosophical ideas into concise and memorable aphorisms, providing readers with a guide for living a more fulfilled and enlightened life. With his characteristic...

Renowned French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre references artists such as Tintoretto, Calder, Lapoujade, Titian, Raphael, and Michaelangelo in discussing how great art of the past relates to the challenges of his era Essays in Aesthetics is a provocative collection that considers the nature of art and its meaning. Sartre considers the artist's "function," and the relation of art and the artist to the human condition. Sartre integrates his deep concern...