William Ian Miller Boeken

Offering a comprehensive exploration of a classic saga, this reader's guide serves as a companion to understanding its complexities and depth. It provides a structured approach, akin to a graduated course, helping readers navigate the intricate themes and characters. The phrase "Why is your axe bloody?" hints at the profound questions and moral dilemmas presented within the narrative, inviting deeper reflection on its significance in world literature.

Few of us spend much time thinking about courage, but we know it when we see it--or do we? Is it best displayed by marching into danger, making the charge, or by resisting, enduring without complaint? Is it physical or moral, or both? Is it fearless, or does it involve subduing fear? Abner Small, a Civil War soldier, was puzzled by what he called the "mystery of bravery"; to him, courage and cowardice seemed strangely divorced from character and will. It is this mystery, just as puzzling in our day, that William Ian Miller unravels in this engrossing meditation

Exploring the concepts of retaliation and redemption, this work delves into the law of the talion, emphasizing the serious implications of an eye for an eye. It redefines value through the lens of bodily harm, suggesting that bodies and body parts serve as fundamental units of currency. The book presents a grounded theory of justice that balances toughness with respect, arguing that true justice often involves a careful measurement of worth and honor among individuals.

This book explores identity, and our engagement in everyday roles, alongside doubts over identity and authenticity.