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Batman, Superman, and Philosophy (Popular Culture and Philosophy #Vol. 100)
By Nicolas Michaud. 2016
Batman or Superman? Which of these heroic figures is morally superior? Which is more dramatically effective? Which is more democratic?…
Which shows us the better way to fight crime? Who is a morally better person? Whose actions lead to the better outcomes? Superman vs. Batman and Philosophy tries to decide "for" and "against" these two superheroes by comparing their contrasting approaches to a wide range of issues. Twenty-six philosophers evaluate Superman vs. Batman in order to decide which of them "wins" by various different criteria. Some of the writers say that Superman wins, others say Batman, and others give the result as a tie.Since both Batman, the megalomaniacal industrialist, and Superman, the darling of the media, sometimes operate outside the law, which of them makes the better vigilante--and how do they compare with Robin Hood, the anonymous donor, the Ninja, and the KKK? Which of them comes out better in terms of evolutionary biology? Which of the heroes works more effectively to resist oppression? Does Superman or Batman function better as a force for embodied intelligence? Who does more to really uphold the law? Which one is better for the environment? Which of these two supernormal guys makes a better model and inspiring myth to define our culture and our society? Is Batman or Superman the more admirable person? Who conforms more closely to Nietzsche's Übermensch? Which one makes the more rational choices? Who makes the better god? Who is more self-sacrificing in pursuit of other people's welfare? Who goes beyond the call of duty? Which one does better at defining himself by resolving his internal conflicts? Whose explicit code of morality is superior? Which superhero gives us more satisfying dramatic conflict? (And why does a battle between the two make such a compelling drama?)Which of our two candidates comes closer to Christ? Which has the sounder psychological health? Whose overall consequences are better for the world? Which one more perfectly exemplifies C.S. Lewis's concept of chivalry? What's the deeper reason Batman is so successful in videogames whereas Superman isn't? What are the advantages and disadvantages of having the two extraordinary heroes work together? Is either superhero logically or metaphysically possible? How can each of them be diagnosed as psychotic? How do they compare in masking their real identity? Whose motives are more worthy? Which one is more self-aware? Superman vs. Batman and Philosophy comes out at the same time as the movie Batman v Superman. The book cannot discuss what goes on in the movie, yet it also can't avoid doing so, since by sheer probability, many of the controversial issues between the two superheroes will be the same in both. The book will therefore naturally fit in with the numerous raging controversies that the movie unleashes.The Grey Horse
By R. A. MacAvoy. 1987
Set against the colorful and magical backdrop of Ireland, The Grey Horse chronicles a time when the Irish people suffered…
under harsh English overlords who sought to destroy their culture and way of life. In the Irish town of Carraroe, a magnificent, completely gray stallion appears. The horse brings with him the promise of better times and magical happenings, for he is actually the shape-shifted form of Ruairi MacEibhir, journeyed to such a time of danger in order to win the hand of the woman he loves.Leprechauns: The Myths, Legends, & Lore
By Bob Curran. 2017
Explore the magic, mischief, and mystery behind Ireland’s most iconic and beloved mythical creature: the leprechaun. Leprechauns have been at…
the heart of Irish culture for years, capturing our hearts and minds alike—but how much do we really know about the leprechaun, anyway? Often depicted as a little bearded man who partakes in mischief, no one knows if he is a fallen angel, diminished god, or son of fairies? What does he do all day? And what’s the story behind that hidden pot of gold? In Leprechauns, prominent folklorist Bob Curran looks at the origins of this hero of Irish lore. He explores the superstitions surrounding the leprechaun and his enduring place in popular culture, and turns the spotlight on the “real” leprechaun—enigmatic, complex, and contradictory. The perfect read for St. Patrick’s Day—or any time you wish to delve into the thrilling world of a timeless legend—Leprechauns is an essential addition to the collection of all lovers of myth and folklore.Sister to Sister: the perfect addictive read for 2021
By Olivia Hayfield. 2021
'Rich people behaving badly' BooklistThe battle lines are drawn . . .Following the scandalous revelations about his love life, disgraced…
media mogul Harry Rose is searching for redemption. His daughters - bright, winsome Eliza and dark, difficult Maria - have taken over his beloved company and are making some major changes. Guided by Harry, Eliza navigates life as Rose Corp's new queen. But Maria is standing in her way. And then there's the distraction of Eliza's childhood playmate, the twinkly-eyed Rob Studley, and the unresolved death of her mother . . . After a stellar start, things take a turn for the worse and ultimately Eliza will have to make a choice: career, or love?Loosely based on the turbulent reigns of Tudor queens Mary and Elizabeth, this is a scandalous tale of love, power and betrayal . . .Praise for Olivia Hayfield 'Ingenious and addictive' Francesca Hornak 'A delicious read' Renee Rosen'Racy & pacy!' Nicky Pellegrino'The perfect escape' The Listener'An amusing, smart and oddly thought-provoking read with glamour and great heart' Kete: New Books from Aotearoa'A must-read for history buffs' Woman's Day'An addictively readable novel . . . there is lots to love in this racy romp about the lives of the rich and fabulous' New Zealand Woman's Weekly'A fun and entertaining read . . . non-stop Tudor intrigue!' An Historian About TownThe Plague Charmer: A gripping story of dark motives, love and survival in times of plague
By Karen Maitland. 2016
1361. An unlucky thirteen years after the Black Death, plague returns to England.'Fear and hysteria are portrayed with claustrophobic skill'…
THE TIMES'Dark and enthralling... with an unexpected hero' JULIE COHENFrom the bestselling author of Company of Liars, Karen Maitland, The Plague Charmer is a darkly compelling novel following a stranger who arrives in an isolated community in the grips of a medieval pandemic. When the sickness reaches the village of Porlock Weir, who stands to lose the most? And who will seize this moment for their own dark ends?The dwarf who talks in riddles? The mother who fears for her children? The wild woman from the sea? Or two lost boys, far away from home?PESTILENCE IS IN THE AIR. BUT SOMETHING DARKER LURKS IN THE DEPTHS. Why readers are gripped by The Plague Charmer'Its horrors are vividly told but with an underlying sense of human resilience and hope''A real page turner''The best and worst of human behaviour in troubled times''Poignant, shocking and haunting''It was so easy to be drawn into this world...'An Eye of Death
By George Rees. 2005
Fast-paced and populated with a cast of rogues, actors and playwrights this murder mystery offers an enthralling read and the…
true flavour of Elizabethan London.Elizabethan playwright Dekker lives a fast, furious, and exciting existence in London, skirting poverty, danger, and the love of a good woman. He finds work as an adapter at Philip Henslowe's theatrical company and as a book-holder at Essex House - before being watched by Christopher Marlowe and others as politics intrude.Theft of a hidden cipher and murder of a local constable keep him in trouble. Able plotting and namedropping will appeal to fans of Elizabethan theater and Simon Hawke's Shakespearean mysteries.Winter Moon: A brilliant thriller of heart-stopping suspense
By Dean Koontz. 1994
A peaceful ranch... or a house of terror? The tension builds to a stunning climax in Dean Koontz's powerful thriller,…
Winter Moon. Perfect for fans of Harlan Coben and Stephen King. 'America's most popular suspense novelist' - Rolling StoneEduardo is a lonely retiree living on his isolated Montana ranch. His life is peaceful, until one night he is awakened by a fearful throbbing sound and eerie lights in the woods. More mysterious and disturbing events follow over the next few months. Eduardo begins to fear for his sanity and his life, until the terrible night when someone - or something - knocks on his back door...One lovely spring morning in Los Angeles, cop Jack McGarvey is hammered by submachine-gun fire when a madman goes berserk. He barely survives. Jack longs to move his wife and son to a more peaceful place away from the city, but he feels utterly powerless and without prospects. In their hour of desperation, the McGarvey family receives an unexpected inheritance in the shape of a sprawling ranch in one of the most beautiful, peaceful places in the country: Montana.The family sets out from Los Angeles to begin their new life, unaware that the terror-riddled city will soon seem like a safe haven compared to what lies ahead. What readers are saying about Winter Moon: 'The stark contrast between the man-made dangers of LA and the other-worldly, spooky dangers of the Montana wilderness is really well done''One of his best books I've read. If you love horror and deep-thinking and you love that fear of the unknown, then this book is definitely for you''Hats off to the great Mr Koontz for taking the imagination on the rollercoaster ride of a lifetime'Hideaway: A spine-chilling, supernatural horror novel
By Dean Koontz. 1992
Can you hide from the darkness within? Dean Koontz writes a thrilling tale in Hideaway, as the effects of a…
near-fatal accident have devastating results. Perfect for fans of Harlan Coben and Stephen King.'Koontz leaps beyond the bounds of the usual supernatural thriller. Hideaway is a novel of ideas.' - Lexington Herald-Leader Although accident victim Hatch Harrison dies en route to the hospital, a brilliant physician miraculously resuscitates him. Given this second chance, Hatch and his wife Lindsey approach each day with a new appreciation of the beauty of life - until a series of mysterious and frightening events brings them face to face with the unknown.Although Hatch was given no glimpse of an afterlife during the period when his heart had stopped, he has reason to fear that he has brought a terrible presence back with him... from the land of the dead.When people who have wronged the Harrisons begin to die violently, Hatch comes to doubt his own innocence - and must confront the possibility that this life is just a prelude to another, darker place. What readers are saying about Hideaway: 'He is a genius at psychological manipulations and you will know visceral fear''Spellbinding, heart-breaking and truly fearsome''A stylish, dark and totally enthralling thriller which crackles with energy, menace and surprises'Fear Nothing: A chilling tale of suspense and danger (Moonlight Bay Trilogy)
By Dean Koontz. 1997
In Moonlight Bay, the hours after midnight can be a time of terror... In Fear Nothing, Dean Koontz weaves a…
spine-chilling novel, full of terror and suspense. Perfect for fans of Stephen King and Harlan Coben.'Scary. Koontz can really spook, and his dialogue and pacing rival the best' - New York Post I have been one acquainted with the night.Christopher Snow is athletic, handsome enough, intelligent, romantic, funny. But his whole life has been affected by xeroderma pigmentosum, a rare genetic disorder that means his skin and eyes cannot be exposed to sunlight. Like all Xpers, Chris lives at night - and has never ventured beyond his hometown of Moonlight Bay, a place of picturesque beauty and haunting strangeness; he knows it as no one else can possibly know it, is intimate with its shadows and darkest hours. Despite the limitations imposed by nature, he has always been determined to lead the fullest life and, with the help of family and friends, he has on the whole succeeded.But for Chris - and all the inhabitants of Moonlight Bay - a terrible change is about to happen; a change of potentially catastrophic proportions. What readers are saying about Fear Nothing: 'Thought-provoking, intelligent and absolutely hilarious in places. Brilliant!''This book is typical Koontz, a thriller as well as a scary read that grabs you from the first page and pulls you right into the story''Whilst reading this, I felt like I was there, in the story. Shaking with fear, crying with anxiety, grinning with relief, and gripping my seat with excitement!'300 died in a mysterious plane crash...but really happened? From bestselling phenomenon Dean Koontz, this gripping thriller is perfect for…
fans of THE EYES OF DARKNESS and Stephen King.'Dean Koontz is not just a master of our darkest dreams, but also a literary juggler' The TimesA catastrophic, unexplained plane crash leaves three hundred and thirty dead - and no survivors.Among the victims are the wife and two daughters of Joe Carpenter, a Los Angeles Post crime reporter.A year after the crash, still gripped by an almost paralysing grief, Joe encounters a woman who claims to have survived the crash. But before he can ask any questions, she slips away.As desperate chase and shattering emotional odyssey will lead Joe to a truth that will force him to reassess everything he thought he knew about life and death - a truth that, given the chance, will rock the world and redefine the destiny of humanity.What readers are saying about Sole Survivor:'The action is fast paced, the characters are well developed and the suspense is excellent - I certainly would not have guessed the ending''This book takes off at breakneck speed. It will keep you glued to the edge of your seat''This is one of the only books ever to keep me guessing right to the end. The end is absolutely brilliant!'Children are disappearing one by one... Seize the Night is the brilliant second thriller in Dean Koontz's Moonlight Bay trilogy,…
following the acclaimed bestseller Fear Nothing. Perfect for fans of Richard Laymon and Harlan Coben. 'Dean Koontz has always boldly gone where no other fiction writer has even considered going before. As ever, the writing is fluid, the dynamic taunt and the relationships between the characters compulsive' - The Times One by one, the children of Moonlight Bay are disappearing. No one knows if they are dead or alive.Christopher Snow, suffering from the rare disorder xeroderma pigmentosum, has glimpsed the dark and torrid secrets of the small-town community where he has spent his entire life. And only he has the key to the truth - a truth that could only exist in the genetic chaos of Moonlight Bay. What readers are saying about Seize the Night: 'Koontz has a way of reaching out to you and dragging you into your weirdest and wildest dreams and nightmares, making them a reality''Koontz's character build-up is so real, so seemingly effortless, that you just take his characters for granted as your own friends''A shockingly strange novel yet it was made real by the artistic and imaginative writing of Dean Koontz'Phantoms: A chilling tale of breath-taking suspense
By Dean Koontz. 1983
For the survivors, what hope is left? Dean Koontz's Phantoms is a story of disaster and suspense that strikes deep…
fear throughout its journey to the chilling truth. Perfect for fans of Stephen King and Richard Laymon.'Gruesome and unrelenting' - Stephen KingYesterday Snowfield, California, was a charming little town basking in the golden afternoon sun. Today it is a place of nightmare.An ancient, awesome force has spirited away almost the entire population of the town and left the bodies of those remaining bizarrely disfigured. What hope can there be for the few still left alive...? What readers are saying about Phantoms: 'This is one of the best horror stories I have ever read''A totally immersive story that will draw you in right from the start''As thrilling as it is truly terrifying it kept me enthralled from start to finish'One Door Away from Heaven: A superb thriller of redemption, fear and wonder
By Dean Koontz. 2001
One young woman risks everything to save a child... Dean Koontz writes an unforgettable tale in One Door Away From…
Heaven - the thrilling story of a deadly threat, and the young woman who will do anything to stop it. Perfect for fans of Richard Laymon and Harlan Coben.'A wonderful contemporary fable, firmly rooted in the gritty reality of turn of the millennium America... Koontz constantly surprises as his story unfolds and reaches its stunning conclusion. Brilliant and compulsive' - Good Book GuideLeilani Maddoc's tenth birthday is nine months away. Micky Bellsong is convinced that in nine months and one day, the girl will be dead. And no one seems to care but Micky herself.Micky has a history of making wrong choices and living only for her own desires, but her decision to save the child's life - and pit herself against an adversary as fearsome as he is cunning - takes her on a journey of incredible peril and stunning discoveries, a journey filled with tragedy and joy, with humour, terror and hope, a journey that will change her for ever. What readers are saying about One Door Away From Heaven: 'This book is gripping from the very start, with great characters throughout; the slow build up... is absolutely perfect''This book is quite a remarkable read... The plot sizzles along and the characterisation is awesome''A fluid page turner that will make you late for work'The Vision: A gripping thriller of spine-tingling suspense
By Dean Koontz. 1977
Looking into the future will scare you to death... In The Vision, Dean Koontz writes a chilling novel of clairvoyance,…
dark forces and a struggle for survival. Perfect for fans of Stephen King and Harlan Coben.'Spine-tingling - it gives you an almost lethal shock' - San Francisco Chronicle Mary Bergen is a clairvoyant, able to foresee murders that will happen in the near future, but unable to prevent them from taking place.And now she is up against a power that is stronger than her own, a power that is taking her over, a power that is trying to kill her before she can identify it... What readers are saying about The Vision: 'Imaginative, clever and very unputdownable! This book draws you in like a fish at the end of a rod''Chilling and very much a true suspense story from beginning to end''Highly suspenseful with clever twists - a wonderful novel of 'whodunnit' with some supernatural elements thrown in'Darkfall: A remorselessly terrifying and powerful thriller
By Dean Koontz. 1984
Who is more foolish - the child afraid of the dark or the man afraid of the light? A deadly…
villain threatens New York City in Dean Koontz's gripping thriller, Darkfall. Perfect for fans of Stephen King and Harlan Coben.'In every industry there exist 'artists' that are not only unforgettable, but know their craft better than the rest. Dean Koontz...is among these artisans' - Suspense Magazine Baba Lavelle is a stranger in New York. A stranger with a mission to break the Mafia stranglehold on the city's drug traffic, and take it over himself. He has no guns, no army of hoods, no friends in high places. But he has the Power - magical, ancient, and terrifyingly brutal. The power that thrives in darkness... What readers are saying about Darkfall: 'A brilliant book that had me checking over my shoulder for days after finishing it!''Horror and terror going at a breakneck pace through the snow filled streets of New York City''Darkfall was gripping, scary and kept you on your toes. Hooked'The Eyes of Darkness: A gripping suspense thriller that predicted a global danger...
By Dean Koontz. 1981
A search for a missing son... and a toxic mystery that threatens the globe. 'Did a 1981 Dean Koontz thriller…
predict the coronavirus outbreak?' Daily Mail'Dean Koontz is not just a master of our darkest dreams, but also a literary juggler' The TimesFrom bestselling phenomenon Dean Koontz, The Eyes of Darkness is a gripping thriller following a mother's search for her son - a journey that unlocks the deadliest of secrets. It's a year since Tina Evans lost her little boy Danny in a tragic accident. Then a shattering message appears on the blackboard in Danny's old room: NOT DEAD. Is it someone's idea of a grim joke? Or something far more sinister?The search for an answer drives Tina through the neon clamour of Las Vegas nightlife. The sun-scorched desert. The frozen mountains of the High Sierra. People face a dreadful danger as a buried truth struggles to surface. A truth so frightening that its secret must be kept at the price of any life - any man, any woman...any child. Why readers are obsessed with The Eyes of Darkness: 'Couldn't put it down...it's been a while since a book has kept me up all night.' ***** Goodreads review'So prophetic I really can't believe it.' ***** Goodreads review'It is simply unbelievable.' ***** Goodreads reviewThis book was originally published under the pseudonym Leigh Nichols.Sister to Sister: the perfect page-turning holiday read for 2021
By Olivia Hayfield. 2021
'Rich people behaving badly' BooklistThe battle lines are drawn . . .Following the scandalous revelations about his love life, disgraced…
media mogul Harry Rose is searching for redemption. His daughters - bright, winsome Eliza and dark, difficult Maria - have taken over his beloved company and are making some major changes. Guided by Harry, Eliza navigates life as Rose Corp's new queen. But Maria is standing in her way. And then there's the distraction of Eliza's childhood playmate, the twinkly-eyed Rob Studley, and the unresolved death of her mother . . . After a stellar start, things take a turn for the worse and ultimately Eliza will have to make a choice: career, or love?Loosely based on the turbulent reigns of Tudor queens Mary and Elizabeth, this is a scandalous tale of love, power and betrayal . . .Praise for Olivia Hayfield 'Ingenious and addictive' Francesca Hornak 'A delicious read' Renee Rosen'Racy & pacy!' Nicky Pellegrino'The perfect escape' The Listener'An amusing, smart and oddly thought-provoking read with glamour and great heart' Kete: New Books from Aotearoa'A must-read for history buffs' Woman's Day'An addictively readable novel . . . there is lots to love in this racy romp about the lives of the rich and fabulous' New Zealand Woman's Weekly'A fun and entertaining read . . . non-stop Tudor intrigue!' An Historian About TownSister to Sister: the perfect page-turning holiday read for 2021
By Olivia Hayfield. 2021
'Rich people behaving badly' BooklistThe battle lines are drawn . . .Following the scandalous revelations about his love life, disgraced…
media mogul Harry Rose is searching for redemption. His daughters - bright, winsome Eliza and dark, difficult Maria - have taken over his beloved company and are making some major changes. Guided by Harry, Eliza navigates life as Rose Corp's new queen. But Maria is standing in her way. And then there's the distraction of Eliza's childhood playmate, the twinkly-eyed Rob Studley, and the unresolved death of her mother . . . After a stellar start, things take a turn for the worse and ultimately Eliza will have to make a choice: career, or love?Loosely based on the turbulent reigns of Tudor queens Mary and Elizabeth, this is a scandalous tale of love, power and betrayal . . .Praise for Olivia Hayfield 'Ingenious and addictive' Francesca Hornak 'A delicious read' Renee Rosen'Racy & pacy!' Nicky Pellegrino'The perfect escape' The Listener'An amusing, smart and oddly thought-provoking read with glamour and great heart' Kete: New Books from Aotearoa'A must-read for history buffs' Woman's Day'An addictively readable novel . . . there is lots to love in this racy romp about the lives of the rich and fabulous' New Zealand Woman's Weekly'A fun and entertaining read . . . non-stop Tudor intrigue!' An Historian About TownThe Lake House
By James Patterson. 2003
Frannie O'Neill's life turned upside down when she and FBI maverick Kit Brennan rescued six incredible winged children from the…
school that created them. Now the young flock wants to go back to the couple, and Frannie and Kit are suing for custody. But when the case involves the most extraordinary creatures ever to land on this earth, someone will ensure there is no happy ending. Only Max, the most remarkable of the children, knows that another, terrifying biological experiment is taking place in the labs of a brilliant but evil surgeon, Dr Ethan Kane. But to complete his experiment he needs the ultimate prize - Max herself. And as the children dream of returning to the happy safety of the lake house, where for a few precious months they flew free, Kane moves ever closer...Asterix and the Griffin: Album 39 (Asterix #39)
By Jean-Yves Ferri. 2021
Be the first to read the next action-packed adventure from the indomitable Gauls by pre-ordering now!Follow Asterix and Obelix as…
they set out on their 39th adventure on a long journey in search of a strange and terrifying creature. Half-eagle, half-lion, and idolised and feared by ancient peoples, this creature is the griffin.How will Asterix, Obelix, Dogamatix, along with the Druid Getafix, get drawn into the epic, perilous quest to find this fantastical animal? Find out in the next instalment of this multi-million bestselling series.