Bøker av John Armstrong

In Arthur Ransome's charming tale of childhood adventure, Secret Water, four children are pretending to be savages approaching an outpost of the civilized world. 'What is civilization?' asks Bridget, the youngest. 'Ices,' explains her brother, 'and all that sort of thing.'It is probably the briefest definition of the term on record in English, though it doesn't quite do justice to the grand idea of civilization. But if it isn't ices then what exactly is meant by civilization, and why do we need it? Today, the debate around civilization and its meaning has almost disappeared. If talked about at all, it will be as part of a different debate: the political tensions between different parts of the world, colonial history, developments in engineering.Yet the promise of civilization is greater: if considered in its full meaning civilization can be a way of reconnecting grand, societal forces - economic liberty, social freedom - with the more intimate and deeper needs of life - wisdom, maturity, a flourishing of culture. In In Search of Civilization John Armstrong argues cogently and passionately that our sources of wisdom, maturity and happiness are rapidly drying up.Only by reviving a conversation about civilization can we put in place the conditions for our renaissance.

Provides a look at the life of the renowned writer Goethe to show the surprising ways in which we can learn from him, whether in love, suffering, friendship or family. This book shows how relevant Goethe is to the way we live, and how he wanted to live life well. It also explores the main themes of our existence through Goethe.

Raises one of the deepest and most puzzling questions we can put to ourselves ' What is Love?'Drawing on writers and thinkers as diverse as Plato, Tolstoy, Freud and Stendhal, John Armstrong explores how our perception of love is formed by culture and history. For anyone who believes or disbelieves in love.