In this collection of excerpts from his essays, notebooks, and letters, pre-eminent modern poet Rainer Maria Rilke meditates on subjects as varied as a dolls, walking among trees, and the great sculptor Rodin. Where Silence Reigns, a sampling from his essays, notebooks, and letters, shows Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926), the pre-eminent modern poet of solitude and inwardness, seeking to reconcile his personal conflict between the claims of "life" and the claims of art. His subjects are commonplace, seemingly innocuous at times: the encounter between a man and a dog, a collection of dolls, a walk among trees. But always the deceptively simple external phenomenon is seen as the symbol, the catalyst of an intensely felt inner experience. As he confided to his friend Frau Wunderly-Volkart: "Oh, how often one longs to speak a few degrees more deeply! My prose... lies deeper... but one gets only a minimal layer further down; one’s left with a mere intimation of the kind of speech that may be possible THERE where silence reigns." In addition to occasional pieces and notebook entries, this volume contains selections from the strange and haunting "Dream-Book," the lyrical "Lay of the Love and Death of Cornet Christoph Rilke," and the entire "Rodin-Book"––Rilke’s appreciation of the great sculptor whom he had served as secretary.

“Sanctuary of Earth Second Edition” is a compelling exploration of our planet’s most fragile ecosystems and their fight for survival. This edition delves deeper into the intricate relationships between nature and humanity, painting a vivid picture of the environmental challenges we face today. Each chapter is a poignant reminder of the beauty and fragility of our natural world, urging readers to reflect on their role in preserving it. The book begins with “The Soundless Forest,” a haunting depiction of a once-thriving forest now eerily silent. “The Dying Blue” takes readers to the depths of our oceans, revealing the devastating impact of pollution and climate change. “Sand Secrets” uncovers the hidden mysteries of deserts, while “The Vanishing Colony” highlights the plight of endangered species. “Whispers of the Arctic” and “The Last Bastion” transport readers to the polar regions, where melting ice and rising temperatures threaten the delicate balance of life. “The Lone Germ” and “The Final Flow” explore the interconnectedness of all living things, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity. “The Fading Savanna” and “The Dying Coral Reef” showcase the dramatic changes occurring in grasslands and coral reefs, respectively. “The Endangered Timberland” and “The Vanishing Ice” further illustrate the impact of human activities on our planet’s ecosystems. “The Vanishing Vale” and “Twilight of Paradise” offer a glimpse into the future, where the consequences of our actions are fully realized. Finally, “The Ultimate Sanctuary” serves as a call to action, urging readers to take responsibility for the preservation of our planet. Through powerful storytelling and evocative imagery, “Sanctuary of Earth Second Edition” is a testament to the resilience of nature and a plea for its protection.