November 30, 2011

Alan Wallace on science, Buddhism, skepticism, and meditation

In this video Alan Wallace, most recently the author of Meditations of a Buddhist Skeptic: A Manifesto for the Mind Sciences and Contemplative Practice, discusses science, Buddhism, skepticism, and meditation.

November 30, 2011

Justin McDaniel: Amulets and the Commercialization of Thai Buddhism

The following is a guest post by Justin McDaniel, author of The Lovelorn Ghost and the Magical Monk: Practicing Buddhism in Modern Thailand. In June 2001 a police sergeant in Pattaya (Central Thailand) was arrested and charged with attempted murder...

November 29, 2011

New Book Tuesday: Food and Christianity

Food and Faith in Christian Culture Edited by Ken Albala and Trudy Eden The Right to Justification: Elements of a Constructivist Theory of Justice Rainer Forst Hiroshima After Iraq: Three Studies in Art and War (Now available in paperback) Rosalyn...

November 29, 2011

Interview with Alan Wallace, author of Meditations of a Buddhist Skeptic

The following is an interview with B. Alan Wallace, author of Meditations of a Buddhist Skeptic: A Manifesto for the Mind Sciences and Contemplative Practice. Question: How does Meditations of a Buddhist Skeptic differ from your previous books? B. Alan...

November 28, 2011

Steven Pinker Chooses Why Civil Resistance Works as a Best Book of 2011

The Guardian recently posted its list of the Best Books of 2011 as selected by such notable figures as AS Byatt, Jonathan Franzen, Eric Hobsbawm, Hari Kunzru, Hanif Kureishi, David Lodge Colm Tóibín, David Hare, and Jeanette Winterson. The Guardian...

November 28, 2011

B. Alan Wallace: Meditations of a Buddhist Skeptic

This week’s featured book is Meditations of a Buddhist Skeptic: A Manifesto for the Mind Sciences and Contemplative Practice, by Alan Wallace. The following is the conclusion to the book’s opening chapter, Toward a Revolution in the Mind Sciences: Galileo,...

November 28, 2011

Holiday Sale! Save 40% on Gift Ideas from Columbia University Press

From the science of flavor and building a meal to journalistic and cult classics, here are some holiday gift suggestions. We are offering a 40% discount on these titles. IMPORTANT: Be sure to enter the special promotion code HOLIDAY in...

November 22, 2011

Andrew Smith Reveals the Truth About Thanksgiving

In the chapter “Giving Thanks” from his book Eating History: Thirty Turning Points in the Making of American Cuisine, Andrew Smith reveals that “the whole idea that the Pilgrims were the first to celebrate Thanksgiving in America was, in fact...

November 22, 2011

Fred Ikle (1924-2011)

We were sad to learn that Fred Ikle, author of Annihilation from Within: The Ultimate Threat to Nations and Every War Must End, passed away earlier this month. Fred Ikle was undersecretary of Defense during Reagan’s second term and before...

November 22, 2011

New Book Tuesday: The Severed Head and Acts of God

The Severed Head: Capital Visions Julia Kristeva The Evil Dead Kate Egan Blade Runner Matt Hills Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia Ian Cooper Acts of God and Man: Ruminations on Risk and Insurance Michael Powers Species Matters: Humane...

November 20, 2011

Crime and Criminology Titles on Sale

Save 30% on selected titles in Criminology and Crime. To receive the discount use the code CRIM in the “Enter Coupon Code” field at checkout and then click apply. Sale ends February 15, 2012. Titles on sale include: Addressing Rape...

November 20, 2011

Charles Egan Wins Translation Prize for Clouds Thick, Whereabouts Unknown

Congratulations to Charles Egan, who recently was awarded the 2011 Lucien Stryk Asian Translation Prize from the American Literary Translators Association (ALTA) for Clouds Thick, Whereabouts Unknown: Poems by Zen Monks of China . The jury for the Lucien Stryk...