Böcker utgivna av Prometheus Books

Offers an English translation of Voltaire's acerbic, insightful, and far-reaching survey of world religion. In this work by Voltaire (1694-1778), the famous French philosopher and satirist presents a wide-ranging and acerbic survey of religion throughout the world.

Presents an indictment of religion's dangers. The author brings his critical acumen and rhetorical skills to bear on the dark side of religion, from the many evils committed in the name of holy causes throughout history to the vast hypocrisies of its advocates past and present.

Evaluates many popular hypotheses about man's early history. This book presents important evidence and arguments for and against theories of a universal flood, the lost continent of Atlantis, mysterious pyramid powers, pre-Columbian voyages to America by ancient Egyptians and Phoenicians, and Velikovsky's cosmic catastrophism.

Treating the traditional God concept, as conventionally presented in the Judeo-Christian and Islamic traditions, like any other scientific hypothesis, this title examines the claims made for God's existence. It considers the Intelligent Design arguments as evidence of God's influence in biology.

When he was arrested for selling classified secrets to the Soviet Union, John Walker revealed that he had been a spy from 1968 to 1985. His actions constituted one of the most serious breaches of security in US history. What motivated a career naval officer to become a spy during the height of the Cold War?

The brain fog that afflicts many people who have undergone standard or high-dose chemotherapy is known as 'chemobrain'. This guide for cancer patients, survivors, families, friends, and caregivers, provides information on the poorly understood side effect of chemotherapy treatment. It explains how chemotherapy works at the basic biological level.

Takes the reader inside the head of the kinds of malevolent people you know, perhaps all too well, but could never understand. This book presents a tour-de-force of popular science writing that melds scientific research with intriguing family history and puts both a human and scientific face to evil.

"Like pesky wasps buzzing circles around us, people who act as if they were the sole expert on a subject put us on edge. In halls of learning where we least expect to find it, in governments, in religious temples, in businesses, in marriages and families, dogmatism is the arrogant voice of certainty that closes the mind, damages relationships, and threatens peaceful coexistence on this planet." -From chapter 1In this incisive analysis of an increasingly pervasive problem, clinical psychologist Dr. Judy J. Johnson presents a landmark theory that probes the psychological channels of dogmatism. While other books describe the effects of specific types of ideological extremism, a wide-angle theory of dogmatism-in all its manifestations-has been lacking until now. Drawing from traditional and contemporary personality theories, biopsychology, social learning theory, Buddhism, and evolutionary psychology, Johnson explores major influences that shape the personality trait of dogmatism. She uses lively case studies to illustrate twelve characteristics of dogmatism, and suggests strategies for minimizing its harmful effects in our personal lives as well as our educational, political, and other social institutions.Written in a clear, engaging style that is professional in tone yet accessible to a wide audience, Johnson's insightful work will enlighten readers on one of the most important issues of our time.

From missing children to the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, from the efforts to end slavery to AIDS education, myths and deception in the media threaten us all. Presenting a critique of our media culture, this work examines not only the ways in which we are deceived, but also the media's role in propagating those deceptions.

The prehistoric art discovered in caves throughout France and Spain raises many questions about early human culture. What do these superbly rendered paintings of horses, bison, and enigmatic human figures and symbols mean? How can we explain the sudden flourishing of artistic creativity at such a high level? This book explores these questions.

Despite Muhammad's exalted place in Islam, even today there is still surpisingly little actually known about this shadowy figure and the origins of the Qur'an because of an astounding lack of verifiable biographical material. Furthermore, most of the existing biographical traditions that can be used to substantiate the life of Muhammad date to nearly two centuries after his death, a time when a powerful, expansive, and idealized empire had become synonymous with his name and vision - thus resulting in an exaggerated and often artificial characterization of the prophetic figure coupled with many questionable interpretations of the holy book of Islam.On the basis of datable and localizable artifacts from the seventh and eighth centuries of the Christian era, many of the historical developments, misconceptions, and fallacies of Islam can now be seen in a different light. Excavated coins that predate Islam and the old inscription in the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem utilize symbols used in a documented Syrian Arabic theology - a theology with Christian roots.Interpreting traditional contexts of historical evidence and rereading passages of the Qur'an, the researchers in this thought-provoking volume unveil a surprising - and highly unconventional - picture of the very foundations of Islamic religious history.

In the winter of 1776, the American War of Independence was in trouble. Thomas Paine, who had previously inspired the revolutionary cause with his pamphlet "Common Sense", published the essays titled "The Crisis". This document provides many insights into the hardships and precarious uncertainties that threatened the birth of a nation.

Suitable for children of ages 8 years & over, this title provides the story of one of nature's fascinating creatures, sea turtle. It shows how the events of the universe have resulted in a world where a turtle may swim through a salty sea, struggle up a sandy beach, and dig her nest just beyond the reach of the highest tide.

Well-known skeptic and acclaimed popular science writer Martin Gardner presents a complete history of the Urantia movement, from its beginnings in the early 20th century to the present day. In addition to providing an outline of the Urantia cult's worldview, Gardner presents strong evidence to establish the identity of the man whose trancelike orations formed the basis of the book. Gardner also analyzes the flaws in Urantian science and points out many instances of plagiarism in various sections of the book.In a new postscript to this paperback edition, Gardner details recent developments in the Urantia movement, corrects some errors in the original edition, and responds to critical reactions from Urantia believers to his skeptical perspective on the book and the movement.Although there are other histories of The Urantia Book, this is the only one written by a skeptic. Anyone interested in the New Age, cults, or the development of new religions will find much fascinating material in Gardner's thorough overview.

The intricacies of elder caregiving duties and responsibilities can be overwhelming because adult children of ageing parents do not know the ins and outs of the medical and social service systems, let alone how to cope with the emotional burdens of providing care for their ailing parents. This title demonstrates the common problems in eldercare.

Describes how Jane Goodall's work challenged and changed perceptions of the relations between the primate and human worlds. This title reveals that Goodall found solace in her home at Gombe from the trials of life that included a divorce, the death of her second husband, criticisms from fellow scientists, and a spiritual crisis.

Whether we acknowledge it or not, our mothers leave an indelible impression on the persons we become. Our ability to function emotionally in relationships - both personal and professional - is based on our mothers' deep influence. This book shows how the mother factor can work either for or against us.

For thirty-three years Robert Curley worked as a reporter and photographer for newspapers in Rome, Oneida, and Syracuse, New York. This memoir recounts the many remarkable events and personal encounters of his long career and rich family life.

A guide for the more than 4 million women each year who experience abnormal Pap smears. It discusses the relationship of cervical cancer to infection by the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) and underscores how crucial Pap smears are for cervical cancer prevention. It also covers the meaning of different Pap-smear diagnoses.

Helps panicky parents deal with the disturbing emotions stirred up by our competitive society, and to gives them scientific knowledge of their children's growing years. This book offers an illuminating guide to channelling competitive anxiety into positive parenting. It shows parents how to avoid burn-out, and raise children who thrive and excel.

How did freedom of the press evolve over the centuries? What values does American press freedom claim to serve? This volume addresses these and other questions. It also offers selections from other cultures on freedom of the press and examines the unprecedented challenges to a free press in the twenty-first century.

Provides a theory of self-government, legitimating democracy and concretely conceiving how political institutions should be organised. This book also shows how political self-determination has an exclusive validity independent of any assumptions, enabling democracy to be successfully defended against postmodernists and anti-modern fundamentalists.

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was one of the most influential philosophers of the 19th century. There is a good deal of debate about exactly how to interpret his words. For both beginners and those already familiar with Hegel's work, this work is an overview of one of philosophy's great geniuses that offers many clarifications and insights.

Using neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry, this work shows that clear thinking is not just fun but also keeps you out of trouble, makes you more efficient, helps you develop and maintain prosperity, and generally gives you an edge in both your personal and business life.

With an introduction by Toyin Falola, the Frances Higginbothom Nalle Centennial Professor in History at the University of Texas at Austin, this edition of these two intriguing nineteenth-century documents sheds light on the black nationalism movement in the context of African American history.

Written by internationally known scholars, this work deals with the important topic of the transatlantic linkages between western Africa and Brazil during the era of the slave trade (c 1600-1850). It focuses on the Portuguese-Brazilian slave trade and examines the impact of western Africans on the making of colonial and post-independence Brazil.

Over one hundred years ago, African Americans looked forward to the new twentieth century with mixed feelings of pride and discouragement. This collection of articles by leading African American citizens addresses 'the Negro problem'. It is complemented by foreword by Bernard R Boxill, professor of philosophy at the University of North Carolina.

Intended for the amateur astronomer or anyone curious about our place in the universe, this book takes the reader on a journey of discovery through the seasons of the starry night sky. It includes maps, drawings, photos, and a useful glossary.

Sidney Hook is arguably America's most controversial intellectual. This volume collects twenty-five of Hook's essays in political philosophy. Clustered into five main sections, the essays discuss pragmatism and naturalism, Marx and Marxism, Democratic theory and practice, and the defence of a free society.