Poetry

The Bhagavad-Gita has been an essential text of Hindu culture in India since the time of its composition in the first century A.D. One of the great classics of world literature, it has inspired such diverse thinkers as Henry David Thoreau, Mahatma Gandhi, and T.S. Eliot; most recently, it formed the core of Peter Brook's celebrated production of the Mahabharata.

This book is a must-read for those interested in Eastern philosophy and spirituality. With its universal themes of life, death, war, and peace, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the Hindu culture and religious experiences. The translation by Gavin Flood and Charles Martin is living, vivid, and avoids dull pedantry, making this classic text approachable and enjoyable for all readers.

This new verse translation of the classic Sanskrit text combines the skills of leading Hinduist Gavin Flood with the stylistic verve of award-winning poet and translator Charles Martin. The result is a living, vivid work that avoids dull pedantry and remains true to the extraordinarily influential original. A devotional, literary, and philosophical masterpiece of unsurpassed beauty and imaginative relevance, The Bhagavad Gita has inspired, among others, Mahatma Gandhi, J. Robert Oppenheimer, T. S. Eliot, Christopher Isherwood, and Aldous Huxley. Its universal themes—life and death, war and peace, sacrifice—resonate in a West increasingly interested in Eastern religious experiences and the Hindu diaspora.

Boethius composed De Consolation Philosophiae in the sixth century A.D. while awaiting death by torture, condemned on a charge of plotting against Gothic rule, which he protested as manifestly unjust. Though a Christian, Boethius details the true end of life as the soul's knowledge of God, and consoles himself with the tenets of Greek philosophy, not with Christian precepts. Written in a form called Meippean Satire that alternates between prose and verse, Boethius' work often consists of a story told by Ovid or Horace to illustrate the philosophy being expounded. The Consolation of Philosophy dominated the intellectual world of the Middle Ages; it inspired writers as diverse Thomas Aquinas, Jean de Meun, and Dante. In England it was rendered into Old English by Alfred the Great, into Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer, and later Queen Elizabeth I made her own translation. The circumstances of composition, the heroic demeanor of the author, and the Meippean texture of part prose, part verse have been a fascination for students of philosophy, literature, and religion ever since.

'The Song of Krishna' is a must-read for anyone interested in learning about Hindu philosophy and moral guidance. This beautifully illustrated book pairs exquisite Indian art with Edwin Arnold's classic English verse translation, making it both visually stunning and intellectually enriching. The concise conversations between Krishna and Arjuna offer practical advice on leading a principled life, which readers from all backgrounds can find insightful.

"An extraordinary and invaluable version of this great biblical treasure."―David R. Slavitt, Philadelphia Inquirer One of the most powerful and unsettling Bible stories, The Book of Job undermines the claim that our world is governed by justice and meaning. It does so through a poetry of unsurpassed beauty captured in Raymond Scheindlin's superb new translation. Scheindlin's Job is not a patient sufferer but a defiant man who eloquently demands an argument with God. Job's words land like a fist, but he is left speechless by God's reply from the storm ― a commanding survey of creation and a challenge to man's place in it. Job's acceptance of God's power comes with a dignity and freshness that makes it compelling even today. In Scheindlin's vivid translation an ancient text speaks to us directly of timeless questions and passions. A selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club, History Book Club, Quality Paperback Book Club, and Jewish Book Club

Recommendation: The Bhagavad Gita is a powerful and timeless spiritual guide that provides insightful teachings on finding inner peace and purpose. Through the story of Prince Arjuna's internal struggle, this book offers profound lessons on self-mastery and the pursuit of a meaningful life. Whether you seek guidance in navigating personal dilemmas or expanding your spiritual understanding, The Bhagavad Gita is a must-read for anyone on a journey of self-discovery and transformation.

Presented to his disciples at prayer meetings over a nine-month period in 1926, Mahatma Gandhi's commentaries on the Gita are regarded in India as among the most important of the century. In them Gandhi addresses the issues he felt most directly affected the spiritual lives of common people.

This book is a must-read for those who seek to understand life's profound questions. The Bhagavad Gita's timeless teachings are delivered in a thoughtful, accessible way by Eknath Easwaran, making it a great pick for anyone interested in spirituality, self-improvement, or personal growth. The Gita's unique appeal lies in its emphasis on the inner battle of the soul, and how Krishna's guidance can help us become the best versions of ourselves.