Δοκίμιο & Πολιτισμός

"The Rings of Saturn" begins as the record of a journey on foot through coastal East Anglia. From Lowestoft to Bungay, Sebald's own story becomes the conductor of evocations of people and cultures past and present: of Chateaubriand, Thomas Browne, Swinburne and Conrad, of fishing fleets, skulls and silkworms. The result is an intricately patterned and haunting book on the transience of all things human.

For financial journalist Yannis Papadogiannis, the problem with the economic science that failed to predict the financial crisis that began unfolding in 2007 is clear. While modern economic theory relies on rational humans, The Rise and Fall of Homo Economicus busts the myth of the rational human wide open, demonstrating how, in the real world, Homo sapiens are far from fully rational creatures. Papadogiannis walks readers through the history of modern economics and reveals a consistent pattern of certainty and the illusion of control among economists leading into every crisis since the seventeenth century. He presents findings from disciplines such as neuroscience, psychology, and sociology that overturn the economist’s idealized view of human nature, revealing that rationality is but one quality ruling behavior. In terms that anyone can understand, and drawing from a vast bibliography of well-known references, the book contrasts the imaginary universe of modern economics with the complex, dynamic, chaotic reality that more accurately describes our existence. A stinging indictment of economic science for its role in creating the crisis of 2007, The Rise and Fall of Homo Economicus is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding how our society functions or exploring ways to make economic science better serve us.

The mosaics in the Rotunda in Thessaloniki are the most significant decorations that remain from the early Byzantine period. This richly illustrated book invites the reader to enter the building and experience the splendid golden and silver mosaics that cover cupola and vaults. After an introduction to the architecture of the Rotunda, the authors focus on the mosaics, discussing such issues as imperial patronage, the martyr portraits, the pictorial programme, as well as mosaic technique and the aesthetic qualities of the multi-coloured images. The succinct text provides an up-to-date introduction to the mosaics. It includes a timeline and a list of recent publications. Colour photos, many specially taken for this publication, document the spectacular qualities of these magnificent mosaics.

Make the most of your time on Earth with the ultimate travel guides. World-renowned 'tell it like it is' travel guide, now with free eBook. Discover Crete with this comprehensive and entertaining travel guide, packed with practical information and honest recommendations by our independent experts. Whether you plan to visit the 3500-year-old Minoan palace of Knossos, stroll along the turquoise waters and rose-tinted sands of Elafonisi or hike one of Crete's countless gorge hikes that take you from the mountains to the sea, The Rough Guide to Crete will help you discover the best places to explore, eat, drink, shop and sleep along the way. Features of this travel guide to Crete:- Detailed regional coverage: provides practical information for every kind of trip, from off-the-beaten-track adventures to chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas- Honest and independent reviews: written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, our writers will help you make the most from your trip to Crete- Meticulous mapping: practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys. Find your way around Irakilo, Lasithi and many more locations without needing to get online- Fabulous full-colour photography: features inspirational colour photography, including the striking windmills on the Lasithi Plateau and the awesome Melidhoni Cave- Time-saving itineraries: carefully planned routes will help inspire and inform your on-the-road experiences- Things not to miss: Rough Guides' rundown of Hania, Ayios Nikolaos and Rethymno's best sights and top experiences- Travel tips and info: packed with essential pre-departure information including getting around, accommodation, food and drink, health, the media, festivals, sports and outdoor activities, culture and etiquette, shopping and more- Background information: comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter provides fascinating insights into Crete, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary- The ultimate travel tool: download the free eBook to access all this from your phone or tablet- Covers: Iraklio; Lasithi; Rethymno; HaniaYou may also be interested in: The Rough Guide to Greece, The Rough Guide to the Greek Islands, The Rough Guide to SicilyAbout Rough Guides: Rough Guides have been inspiring travellers for over 35 years, with over 30 million copies sold globally. Synonymous with practical travel tips, quality writing and a trustworthy 'tell it like it is' ethos, the Rough Guides list includes more than 260 travel guides to 120+ destinations, gift-books and phrasebooks.

Practical travel guide to the Greek Islands with a free eBook featuring points-of-interest structured lists of all sights and off-the-beaten-track treasures, with detailed colour-coded maps, practical details about what to see and to do in the Greek Islands, how to get there and around, pre-departure information, as well as top time-saving tips, like a visual list of things not to miss in the Greek Islands, expert author picks and itineraries to help you plan your trip.

The Rough Guide to the Greek Islands covers: Athens and Mainland Ports, Argo-Saronic Ports, the Cyclades, Crete, the Dodecanese, the East and North Aegean, the Sporades and Evvia, and the Ioanian Islands

According to Bertrand Russell, science is knowledge; that which seeks general laws connecting a number of particular facts. It is, he argues, far superior to art, where much of the knowledge is intangible and assumed. In "The Scientific Outlook," Russell delivers one of his most important works, exploring the nature and scope of scientific knowledge, the increased power of nature that science affords and the changes in the lives of human beings that result from new forms of science. Insightful and accessible, this impressive work sees Russell at his very best.

Everyone who cares about freedom and justice for women should read The Second Sex' GuardianSimone de Beauvoir famously wrote, 'One is not born, but rather becomes, woman'. In this groundbreaking work of feminism she examines the limits of female freedom and explodes our deeply ingrained beliefs about femininity. Liberation, she argues, entails challenging traditional perceptions of the social relationship between the sexes and, crucially, in achieving economic independence. Drawing on sociology, anthropology and biology, The Second Sex is as important and relevant today as when it was first published in 1949.

Richard Dawkins' brand of evolutionary theory dominates our understanding of Darwinism. His rhetoric has sidelined serious scientists who just happen to disagree with him. A staunch pro-scientist and scholar of Darwinian evolution, Fern Elsdon-Baker explores the historical, philosophical, and scientific arguments that are revealing the cracks in Dawkins' thinking.