A delightful re-creation of a memorable experience with special appeal for runners, pet lovers and the philosophically...
Rowlands (Philosophy/Univ. of Miami; The Philosopher and the Wolf: Lessons from the Wild on Love, Death, and Happiness, 2009, etc.) meditates on how running has brought him “in contact with the intrinsic value of life.”
The author reflects on his boyhood and carefree runs with his dog in the hills of his native Wales, with nothing in mind but the experience itself. This was a time when he first felt what he calls “the heartbeat of the run.” Later in life, he ran more purposefully. At the age of 27, he acquired Brenin, a cuddly wolf cub. Running with Brenin was the only way to channel his exuberant pet's energy. With the later addition of two canines, the dogs in his pack became his regular running companions, and he describes how he was afflicted with “a rather unfortunate case of species-envy.” Though running became a significant part of Rowlands' life, he writes, it took many years before he truly understood its value to him. In 2011, he decided to enter his first marathon, in Florida, where he lived with his wife, sons and dogs. Still, he questioned his motives. Was this a way of addressing a midlife crisis, proving to himself he was up to the challenge? Despite an injury incurred during training, he was able to get in sufficient shape to run, although his training was set back by the need to rest his leg. He describes his thinking process as he battled increasing pain and exhaustion and wondered whether he would collapse before the finish line. In the end, Rowlands concludes that, for him, running is not pleasurable in the usual sense but an experience valuable in itself—a “way of being rather than a way of feeling.”
A delightful re-creation of a memorable experience with special appeal for runners, pet lovers and the philosophically inclined.Pub Date: Nov. 6, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-60598-477-3
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Pegasus
Review Posted Online: Oct. 4, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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