Howard Schwartz Volgorde van de boeken (chronologisch)

Známý folklorista Howard Schwartz zpracoval prostě a elegantně starou talmudickou legendu o pouti duše před zrozením. Jeho slova spolu s nádhernými ilustracemi Kristiny Swarnerové činí z příběhu Než jsi přišel na svět skvělou knížku pro čtení před spaním – i pro jakýkoliv jiný čas. "Jednou v noci, když jsi byl malý a měsíc stál v úplňku, vlezl sis do mé náruče. Vyprávěj mi o tom, jak to bylo, než jsem přišel na svět, řekl jsi. A přitulil ses blíž a poslouchal. Kdysi dávno se anděl Lajla, který zná všechna nebeská tajemství, o některá z nich s tebou podělil. To bylo tenkrát, když tvá duše přebývala v nejvyšším nebi, v Pokladnici všech duší. Ve chvíli, kdy ses narodil, položil Lajla svůj prst na tvé rty a řekl: Pšššt, a ty jsi všechno zapomněl. Ale neboj se, v této knize všechna ta nádherná tajemství znovu odhalíš. A dokonce se dozvíš, jak jsi přišel k tomu malému důlku na svém horním rtu."

Tales of magic and wonder are woven throughout Jewish literature, particularly in fairy tales that depict enchanted lands and a mix of human and supernatural beings, embodying the timeless struggle between good and evil. These narratives reflect the Jewish worldview, emphasizing faith in God as a means to overcome malevolence. In this collection, thirty-six Jewish fairy tales from diverse regions such as Morocco, India, Spain, Eastern Europe, Babylon, and Egypt are presented, showcasing their unique Jewish character alongside universal themes. Stories like "King David and the Giant" illustrate the biblical struggle against evil, while "The Princess in the Tower," a variant of Rapunzel, reveals King Solomon's understanding of Providence. The title story, centered on the quest for Elijah's violin, symbolizes the liberation of the Jewish spirit through the fulfillment of divine quests. This richly illustrated anthology captures the essence of traditional fairy tales, infused with divine intervention, romance, and magic. Skillfully translated, these enchanting tales resonate with both children and adults, intertwining themes of faith, duty, and wisdom.

Efforts to reconstruct social reality have led to various theoretical and methodological strategies. Qualitative sociology addresses gaps in the literature by offering a comprehensive overview of non-quantitative methods used in sociological research, along with the conceptual rationales for each. Drs. Schwartz and Jacobs emphasize the importance of a clear discussion on both theoretical and practical aspects of "reality reconstruction" and "formal sociology." They draw on the theories of notable figures such as Weber, Mead, Blumer, and Goffman to explain and illustrate methods like field studies, participant observation, interviewing, life histories, unobtrusive measures, audio-visual techniques, and phenomenology. The authors not only describe these methods but also enhance understanding by evaluating their strengths and weaknesses and providing insights into their application. Throughout the text, a collection of case studies illustrates the substantive work qualitative research can yield. This text stands out for its extensive coverage of methods, presented in an informal, conversational style that makes the content accessible to students without prior knowledge of qualitative theories and practices.