Index.

Bringing social theory and philosophy to bear on popular movies, novels, myths, and fairy tales, The Gift and its Paradoxes explores the ambiguity of the gift: it is at once both a relation and a thing, alienable and inalienable, present and poison. Challenging the nature of giving as reciprocal, the book engages critically with the work of Mauss and develops a new theory of the gift according to which the gift cannot be reduced to a model of exchange, but must instead entail a loss or sacrifice. Ultimately, the gift is examined in the book as the impossible occurrence of gratuitous giving. In addition to exploring the conditions of possibility and impossibility of the gift, the book draws on the thought of figures such as Derrida, Serres, Simmel, Cixous, Irigaray and Heidegger to argue for the relevance of the phenomenon of the gift to broader issues in contemporary social sciences. It takes up questions concerning the constitution of community and the processes by which people are included in or excluded from it, gender relations, materiality, the economy, and the possibility that death itself could be a gift, in the form of euthanasia or self-sacrifice. A rigorous yet accessible examination of the phenomenon of the gift in relation to a range of contemporary concerns, The Gift and its Paradoxes will appeal to scholars and students within sociology, philosophy, anthropology, political theory and film and literature studies.

Relive the beloved holiday classic with this lavishly illustrated storybook the entire family can share! It’s a Wonderful Life is one of the most beloved films in cinema history. The heartwarming story of George Bailey and the guardian angel (second class) who shows George that his acts of compassion and kindness have changed his town of Bedford Falls for the better has become a Christmastime favorite enjoyed by generations of families. This engaging illustrated storybook retells the tale of the 1946 classic film through charming original artwork and allows readers to return to the town of Bedford Falls to watch George dream big, fall in love, and learn the important lesson that “no man is a failure who has friends.” Just like the film, this picture book can be enjoyed by the whole family and is the perfect gift for the holidays.

Ego and Spirit both speak profoundly within our lives. Can you hear what they are saying to you? These two voices are the main energies that rise up and give shape to our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and physical health. As we go about meeting lifes challengessuch as change, adversity, stressors, conflicts, relationships, self-esteem, achievement, and our ability to experience genuine happinessthe voice of an unconscious, imbalanced ego is unfortunately the one we more often hear and heed, leading us into a lesser version of ourselves. The Two Voices Within: Balancing the Energies of Ego and Spirit to Enhance Your Life invites you to more clearly hear what both of these voices are saying so that you can speak with more of your true voice and recognize the One Voice of the Universe. This awakening will enable you to be the best version of yourself and optimally meet lifes challenges.

A blues musician is blasted into a parallel world in a novel that’s “a houserockin’ good time” cowritten by the New York Times–bestselling author (Booklist). Slim’s a Texas bluesman of a certain age, down on his luck and just about broke—but hey, that’s what the blues are all about. He loves his music: “Not the popular blues, homogenized, synthesized, and zombilized; but the real down-home gut-bucket blues.” Then one day the music loves him back. In a single hot burst of lightning that comes straight up out of the ground, Slim finds himself in Tejas. It’s a little bit magic and a whole lot different, but the blues are the same. And the blues—manifest here in the form of a maple-necked, pearl-gray Fender Stratocaster with blue-chrome pickups, aka the Gutbucket—need him and need him bad. The Strat’s fallen into the hands of T-Bone Pickens and his Vipers, who want to suck up all its power and turn it to evil. Slim’s off and running on the Gutbucket Quest, with the help of his new mentor, rhythm guitarist Progress T. Hornsby, and a purely unstoppable blues singer named Nadine.

Life boils down to two simple questions: What is my purpose, and what should I accomplish during my limited time on Earth? Anyone who has struggled with these questions can relate to Clifton L. West III, a Baptist church deacon who shares his story of an extraordinary life lived by an ordinary man. He writes about his faith and journey through life, offering a message of hope and encouragement for anyone who has struggled with challenges of their own. Of Life and Time focuses on the ingredients for a life well lived–– affirmation, love and righteous and loving instruction––even as it shares details about West, who attended school in Topeka, Kansas, just one year after the Supreme Court case Brown vs. the Board of Education of Topeka that led to school desegregation. Clifton, a runner, was national champion in the mile run in 1968, led the University of California track and field team, and almost made the 1972 Olympic team. Through his own personal struggles––with the help of his savior, Jesus Christ––Clifton comes to the realization that unconditional love and relationships with others provide the key to good living, even as he realizes his looming mortality. Of Life and Time delivers his timely message of personal testimony, a resounding message of unrelenting hope and unconditional joy for those willing to receive it.