This rollicking novel captures the minor moral dilemma of thin, shy, nervous, Professor Higginson, psychologist, as he comes under the eye of the enemy of his soul through an encounter with a green overcoat. The quixotic adventure that follows will bring the childlike reader laughter like rainfall. This is Belloc at his Chestertonian best! – Summary by Russ Hobbs [chương_files]
“Civilisations as yet have only been created and directed by a small intellectual aristocracy, never by crowds. Crowds are only powerful for destruction. Their rule is always tantamount to a barbarian phase. A civilisation involves fixed rules, discipline, a passing from the instinctive to the rational state, forethought for the future, an elevated degree of culture — all of them conditions that crowds, left to themselves, have invariably shown themselves incapable of realising. In consequence of the purely destructive nature of their power crowds act like those microbes which hasten the dissolution of enfeebled or dead bodies. When the structure of a civilisation is rotten, it is always the masses that bring about its downfall.” – Gustave Le Bon, from Introduction [chương_files]
Agnes Repplier was a popular and highly regarded essayist of the late 19th and early 20th century, who was also well known on the lecture circuit. Her writings are witty, erudite, and engaging. The eight essays in this collection include an homage to her cat Aggripina and reflections on the beauty of words, as well as essays entitled “The Children’s Poets,” “The Praises of War,” “Leisure,” “Ennui,” “Wit and Humor,” and “Letters.” – Summary by Ciufi Galeazzi [chương_files]
The book follows the lives of Hilary, the narrator, and three of his friends whom he met at Cambridge. One soon dies – another (Adrian) writes a hugely successful novel and marries Doria. Jaffery is a larger than life character who falls in love with Doria at first sight. Also in the story are Liosha, a fiery Albanian widow rescued from a life of servitude partly by Jaffery’s intervention, and Barbara, the steadfast wife of Hilary. Their lives change and the story develops as Adrian struggles to write his second novel. (Summary by Simon Evers) [chương_files]
Reputedly inspired by the Sherlock Holmes stories, Austrian criminal jurist and examining magistrate Hans Gross wrote the first handbook on criminal investigation. This treatise covers everything from the qualities of a good investigating officer and how to utilize various experts, to tactics employed by criminals, how to analyze footprints and blood stains, and ways that criminals perpetrate crimes. Some of the remarks relate directly to India, such as disguising one’s caste. Volume 3 (of 3) consists of Part 4 of the 4 parts in the work. – Summary by TriciaG [chương_files]
The author describes popular ghost occurrences from a skeptical point of view, providing explanations based on recent scientific research (early 20th century), primarily in the field of psychology, like suggestion and hallucinations, using also his beliefs on mesmerism and telepathy. He finishes his book with a brief mention of ghost hunters and researchers into psychic phenomena. – Summary by Rapunzelina [chương_files]
The year is 1919 and peace has sprung upon the world after the unspeakable carnage of World War I. The place is Hortons, a building of expensive flats on Duke Street just off Piccadilly, London. Social structures are disintegrating, expectations are not being met, people are confused, life is different. Each story is about a person who lives or works at Hortons, all struggling to adjust to life as it has radically changed. Twelve short stories, published in 1921, by the early twentieth century very popular English writer, Hugh Walpole. – Summary by david wales [chương_files]
A collection of classical writings of Swiss psychologist Carl G. Jung, an influential thinker and the founder of analytical psychology. Written at intervals over a span of fourteen years, these selected articles and pamphlets contain many fascinating ideas that have become widely accepted psychological concepts nowadays, but had just started to develop at the time when the book was written. For instance, this is where Dr. Jung’s ideas of introversion and extroversion, a contribution of vital importance to psychology, appeared for the very first time. Other topics explored include the concept of the unconscious, the study of psychological types, and the psychology of dreams. (Cao Yuqing) [chương_files]
A collection of 15 articles/essays written by G.K. Chesterton in “America: A Catholic Review of the Week”. The publication dates range from 1915-1917. (Summary by Maria Therese) [chương_files]
The author arranged for this collection of three short stories and ten poems to be printed in a small run of 300 copies in Dijon (France.) The book entered into the public domain in 2019. – Summary by KevinS [chương_files]
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