When I eventually came across Diné Bahaneʼ, billed as the Navajo creation story, it immediately went on my reading list, and I was even more excited when I began the book. Not only is Diné Bahaneʼ exactly what it claims to be, it is also a serious, scholarly treatment of the story, as accurately translated from an oral tradition as Zolbrod could manage.
Pilgrim’s Progress Review
In the case of Pilgrim's Progress, I suspect it became a classic because it served as a blatant and approachable introduction to a certain school of Christian thought.
Meditations Review
These are not commandments, nor diktats, nor rules for living a stoic life; they present rather as Aurelius' thoughts as he goes through life and seeks to live stoicism.
Democracy in America Review
Democracy in America, Tocqueville’s nineteenth century commentary inspired by his travels in America and written for his primarily French audience in an attempt to salvage that nation’s struggles with revolution and democracy, is one of those classic works that is referenced over and over in everything from newspaper editorials, to historical essays, to modern, scholarly books.
The Island of Doctor Moreau Review
If the fantasy genre has its roots in fairy tales and mythology, science fiction birthed from the horror genre in a kind of mutated mitosis. That relationship is on prominent display in HG Wells' The Island of Doctor Moreau.
War of the Worlds Review
In other words, it is a more realistic depiction, devoid of cluttering drama, and reads like the framing story intends: as a pamphlet describing a few experiences and perspectives on the Martian invasion.
Phantastes Review
I can see where there would be a certain resonance perceived with Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, since the road to the land of the fairies in Phantastes also passes through a piece of old furniture, in this case a desk.
Six Great Dialogues Review
As my wife and I noted while I was reading this, it's a good thing that my voice has a magical ability to put people to sleep, because otherwise my tendency to engage in Socratic-style arguments would probably have people force-feeding me hemlock.
Nightfall
Another classic piece of science fiction, this should take you less than an hour to read, but it will set you thinking for long after you've finished it. You might say that it will keep you thinking after Nightfall.
Off on a Comet! Review
It starts and ends with an utterly outlandish premise, that a chunk of the Earth should be scooped up by a comet without anyone hardly noticing, and then that it should be returned, again without anyone hardly noticing.
