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BREAKFAST WITH SOCRATES |
Author: Robert Rowland SmithOriginal Publisher: UK Profile Books, US Free Press |
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Rights Sold:World - Profile Books LtdBrazil - Editora Rocco Ltda Italy - Adriano Salani Editore srl Israel - Modan Publishers Greece - Psichogios Publications SA Korea - Magellan Publishing Spanish - World - Espasa Calpe SA France - Editions du Seuil Germany - Piper Verlag GmbH Holland - FMB Paradigma Japan - Kodansha Publishers Ltd Portugal - Edicoes ASA II Chinese world excluding Mainland - Faces Publications, a division of Cite Pubishing Ltd China - Mainland - China CITIC Press Turkey - Dogan Kitapcilik Finland - Karisto Lithuania - Tyto Alba Publishing House |
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Translation rights represented by Paterson Marsh Ltd on behalf of Profile Books Breakfast with Socrates: the philosophy of everyday life goes through an ordinary day in the company of some extraordinary ideas. From waking up in the morning, through going to work, shopping, visiting the gym, going to a party, having sex, falling back to sleep and dreaming, it provides an hour-by-hour commentary on what you are up to, drawn from the history of ideas. Applying philosophy to everyday life, Breakfast with Socrates offers an informal introduction to the history of ideas. It covers the basic arguments of philosophy whilst offering original insights - in many cases the first ever conceptual treatment of a subject, such as bunking off, or people-watching. In addition, it draws on literature, art, politics and psychology, to create the richest possible range of ideas on life as it is lived. Praise 'Philosophy made accessible and applied to the quotidian...manages to be funny without underestimating the reader.' The Financial Times 'The author is genuinely good at making connections between important ideas and lived experience, and successful in showing that philosophy can be a vehicle for making the trivialities of life more meaningful (and hence more bearable) than they otherwise might be.' Booklist 'I...delighted in the insights and asides he packs into Breakfast With Socrates.' Management Today 'Smith has written a remarkable book... joyously wise.' Church Times 'This book's for anyone who enjoys questioning life.' Scarlet magazine 'Takes us on an extraordinary philosophical tour of an ordinary day ... Who said philosophers aren't practical?' Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein, authors of Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar 'This charming book wears its erudition with ease and suggests that despite what Socrates says, it is in fact the unexamined day that is not worth living.' Publisher’s Weekly 'Rowland Smith supposes his reader is his social and intellectual equal who just happens not to have studied the discipline he did. Taking an aspect of daily life in each chapter - getting out of bed, going to work - he explains key concepts in a way that is amusing and enlightening. He doesn't apply the concepts for his readers but allows them to draw their own conclusions.' The Australian 'Clever, witty and eminently readable...Fine writing.' Rowland Manthorpe, author of Confidence '...a very knowledgeable and affable guide.' Bookbag 'I am often asked to recommend a good introduction to philosophy - now I've discovered one. There are plenty of books but mostly they're either the 'wrong kind' of philosophy or they are terribly written. Smith's work is witty, inventive and intelligent - Carl Schmitt on arguing with your partner, Jacques Derrida on booking a holiday - and brilliantly shows how grounded High Theory really is.' Times Higher Education Supplement 'The author's accessible writing style and presentation will make this book appealing to readers with a general interest in philosophy or those looking to add some humor and meaning to the ordinary events in their lives.' Library Journal 'We are always on the lookout for books which creatively explore the meaning of our everyday activities. Breakfast with Socrates fills the bill and does so with considerable breadth and depth. Smith gives philosophy a new burst of energy by taking it off the esoteric shelf and putting it back into circulation on the streets.' spiritualityandpractice.com 'But what makes Smith's book genius isn't just the ability to lay out an interesting, eloquent, and relevant piece of work - which he admittedly does. No, the kicker for Breakfast with Socrates is that it's just plain funny...If humor is the best part of Smith's book - and it might just be - then eloquence and neutrality tie for second place. It's rare to see so many competing ideas on the same page, not just for the sake of summary, but in order to make a point. Smith completely wins us over to one way of thinking - and then turns us on our heads and makes us see things in a completely different light.' The Christian Science Monitor 'Smith, in this generous exposition, furthers the case for the carefully examined life.' The Los Angeles Times 'Breakfast is a very thoughtful and continuously entertaining picture of human behavior...Rooted deeply in philosophy and psychology, the book is never too complex or confusing that anyone with a normal level of reading comprehension would have a problem with...Breakfast With Socrates offers a filling mental meal that should leave you delightfully satisfied.' wired.com |
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