Kleine Geschiedenis Reeks

A lively, inviting account of the history of economics, told through events from ancient to modern times and through the ideas of great thinkers in the field "A whistle-stop introduction to the great works and thinkers of each age, this is a clear and accessible primer."--Laura Garmeson, Financial Times What causes poverty? Are economic crises inevitable under capitalism? Is government intervention in an economy helpful, or harmful? While the answers to such basic economic questions matter to everyone, the unfamiliar language and math of economics can seem daunting. This clear, accessible, and even humorous book is ideal for young readers new to economic concepts, and for readers of all ages who want to better understand economic history and ideas. Economic historian Niall Kishtainy organizes short chapters that center on big ideas and events. He introduces us to some of the key thinkers--Adam Smith, David Ricardo, Karl Marx, John Maynard Keynes, and others--while examining topics ranging from the invention of money to the Great Depression, entrepreneurship, and behavioral economics. The result is an enjoyable book that succeeds in illuminating the economic ideas and forces that shape our world.

Science is fantastic. It tells us about the infinite reaches of space, the tiniest living organism, the human body, the history of Earth. People have always been doing science because they have always wanted to make sense of the world and harness its power. From ancient Greek philosophers through Einstein and Watson and Crick to the computer-assisted scientists of today, men and women have wondered, examined, experimented, calculated, and sometimes made discoveries so earthshaking that people understood the world, or themselves, in an entirely new way. This book tells the history of science. It takes readers to the stars through the telescope, as the sun replaces the Earth at the center of our universe. It delves beneath the surface of the planet, charts the evolution of chemistry's periodic table, introduces the physics that explain electricity, gravity, and the structure of atoms. It recounts the scientific quest that revealed the DNA molecule and opened unimagined new vistas for exploration. Emphasizing surprising and personal stories of scientists both famous and unsung, this book traces the march of science through the centuries. It opens a window on the exciting and unpredictable nature of scientific activity and describes the uproar that may ensue when scientific findings challenge established ideas

Filozofia zaczyna się wtedy, gdy pytamy o naturę rzeczywistości i o to, jak powinniśmy żyć. To właśnie intrygowało Sokratesa, który na ateńskim rynku stawiał przechodniom niewygodne pytania i wprawiał ich w zakłopotanie, udowadniając, jak niewiele rozumieją z otaczającego ich świata. W czterdziestu krótkich rozdziałach tej fascynującej książki poznamy wielkich myślicieli europejskich i najciekawsze idee dotyczące świata oraz tego, jak w nim żyć. Dowiemy się o frapujących, często wręcz kuriozalnych historiach z życia największych filozofów, począwszy od tych, którzy działali w antycznej Grecji i debatowali na temat wolności i duszy, aż po Petera Singera rozważającego najbardziej niepokojące problemy etyczne naszych czasów. Prześledzimy historię ludzkich przemyśleń na temat rzeczywistości i kondycji człowieka. Ta książka sprawia, że filozofia staje się zrozumiała i przystępna, a nawet pełna humoru. Inspiruje do myślenia, dyskusji, argumentowania i stawiania pytań. Nigel Warburton, filozof. Autor wielu książek popularyzujących filozofię. Prowadzi też blogi philosophybites i virtualphilosopher oraz audycje w BBC.

From The Epic of Gilgamesh to Harry Potter, this rollicking romp through the world of literature reveals how writings from all over the world can transport us and help us to make sense of what it means to be human

Describes how the United States developed from the first contact between extremely different cultures to its role as a superpower and explores how a country based on diversity seeks the sometimes contradictory goals of freedom and equality.

Philosophy begins with questions about the nature of reality and how we should live. These were the concerns of Socrates, who spent his days in the ancient Athenian marketplace asking awkward questions, disconcerting the people he met by showing them howlittle they genuinely understood. This engaging book introduces the great thinkers in Western philosophy and explores their most compelling ideas about the world and how best to live in it. In forty brief chapters, Nigel Warburton takes us on a chronological tour of the major ideas in the history of philosophy. He provides interesting and often quirky stories of the lives and deaths of thought-provoking philosophers from Socrates, who chose to die by hemlock poisoning rather than live on without the freedom to think for himself, to Peter Singer, who asks the disquieting philosophical and ethical questions that haunt our own times. Warburton not only makes philosophy accessible, he offers inspiration to think, argue, reason, and question in the tradition of Socrates. "A Little History of Philosophy" presents the grand sweep of humanity's search for philosophical understanding and invites all to join in the discussion.

The thrilling history of archaeological adventure, with tales of danger, debate, audacious explorers, and astonishing discoveries around the globe

In 1935 werd Ernst Gombrich, een 26-jarige kunsthistoricus zonder vaste aanstelling, gevraagd om een wereldgeschiedenis voor jongeren te schrijven. Na zes weken was de opdracht voltooid en werd zijn werk, Eine kurze Weltgeschichte für junge Leser , een succes in Duitstalige landen. Het boek werd tijdens de oorlog door de nazi's verboden vanwege zijn 'te pacifistische' inhoud, waardoor het tot de jaren zestig duurde voordat het opnieuw werd gedrukt. Aan het einde van zijn leven voegde Gombrich herzieningen toe en maakte hij een Engelse vertaling. Inmiddels is het werk in meer dan 20 talen verschenen. Gombrich wilde op toegankelijke wijze het verhaal van de mensheid vertellen, van het stenen tijdperk tot de atoombom. Het resultaat is een helder boek in 40 korte hoofdstukken over oorlogen, kunstwerken en wetenschappelijke ontdekkingen die onze geschiedenis vormden. Dit tijdloze overzicht is geschikt voor zowel jongere als oudere lezers. Ernst H. Gombrich (1909-2001) was een vooraanstaande kunsthistoricus, geboren in Wenen en later verhuisd naar Londen, waar hij directeur werd van het Warburg-instituut en professor in de geschiedenis van de klassieke traditie. 'Een briljant boek... de humane toon laat zien waarom Gombrich zo bewonderd werd.' - PHILIP PULLMAN. 'Het waar gebeurde sprookje van de menselijke ontwikkeling.' - DIE ZEIT.

For curious readers young and old, a rich and colorful history of religion from humanity's earliest days to our own contentious times In an era of hardening religious attitudes and explosive religious violence, this book offers a welcome antidote. Richard Holloway retells the entire history of religion--from the dawn of religious belief to the twenty-first century--with deepest respect and a keen commitment to accuracy. Writing for those with faith and those without, and especially for young readers, he encourages curiosity and tolerance, accentuates nuance and mystery, and calmly restores a sense of the value of faith. Ranging far beyond the major world religions of Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism, Holloway also examines where religious belief comes from, the search for meaning throughout history, today's fascinations with Scientology and creationism, religiously motivated violence, hostilities between religious people and secularists, and more. Holloway proves an empathic yet discerning guide to the enduring significance of faith and its power from ancient times to our own.

Now in paperback, in the tradition of E. H. Gombrich's A Little History of the World , a lively journey through the story of languageWith a language disappearing every two weeks and neologisms springing up almost daily, an understanding of the origins and currency of language has never seemed more relevant. In this charming volume, a narrative history written explicitly for a young audience, expert linguist David Crystal proves why the story of language deserves retelling. From the first words of an infant to the peculiar modern dialect of text messaging, A Little Book of Language ranges widely, revealing language’s myriad intricacies and quirks. In animated fashion, Crystal sheds light on the development of unique linguistic styles, the origins of obscure accents, and the search for the first written word. He discusses the plight of endangered languages, as well as successful cases of linguistic revitalization. Much more than a history, Crystal’s work looks forward to the future of language, exploring the effect of technology on our day-to-day reading, writing, and speech. Through enlightening tables, diagrams, and quizzes, as well as Crystal’s avuncular and entertaining style, A Little Book of Language will reveal the story of language to be a captivating tale for all ages.