Author:Soren Kierkegaard,Alastair Hannay
Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.
The Father of Existentialism, Kierkegaard transformed philosophy with his conviction that we must all create our own nature; in this great work of religious anxiety, he argues that a true understanding of God can only be attained by making a personal 'leap of faith'.
A sparky and erudite book, packed with information and written with passion
—— Julia O'Faolain , Times Literary SupplementA book full of delights, anecdotes, observations; it exhibits a wealth of scholarship, and a passion and charm which are hard to resist
—— Jackie Wullschlager , Financial TimesHaskins' analysis of the Magdalen myth is a rich and scholarly detective story, an unveiling which is at the same time a revelation. This is an intelligent book, which blends a sensitive and critical knowledge of art with theology and history. It is written with style and a delightful mocking wit, and is mercifully free of tediously inconclusive arguments about sex and gender
—— Angela Tilby , Church TimesThe strengths of Mary Magdalen are real and obvious. It has a bold sweep. It takes an icon of faith and sexuality and trails it through ideas and hypocrisies, through travesties and beautiful representations on canvas and in bronze
—— Eavan Boland , ObserverThis is indeed a thought-provoking book
—— BBC History MagazineHighly readable
—— TLSA sympathetic and interesting guide to the intellectual and social landscape of the past 200 years or so.
—— Church TimesReadable and memorable, this is intellectual history at its best
—— Publishers Weekly