Plato’s great discovery was radically new but has echoed down the ages. His “theory of Ideas” has shaped the whole of Western culture and his name is known worldwide. More than 2000 years ago Plato used his “allegory of the cave” – which envisaged people looking at shadows on a cavern wall and taking them for realities – to express a terrible suspicion. He saw his fellow Athenians living in a manipulated world of appearances – cut off from reality and “put to sleep” by material pleasures, wealth and demagogic politicians – and hoped, with this image, to shake them out of this sleep. Plato’s suspicions here are astonishingly relevant still in our Digital Age. Do we not also risk getting entirely lost in the shadows and projections of our TV-, Internet- and mobile-phone-dominated lives? To know truth, argued Plato, Man must learn to see again with his “inner eye”. We are able to sense the truth if we succeed in looking beyond the mere appearances. For behind the everyday objects that surround us, and the immediately visible world, there is another (invisible) reality, a sort of higher level of Being, which can reveal to us the world as it truly is. This second, higher reality is the realm of the “Ideas”: above all the Ideas of the Good, the True and the Beautiful by which we must be guided in our lives. But what exactly are these Ideas? Where do they come from? What does Plato mean when he speaks of “the Good”? And, most importantly, how can we know this “Good” and live a life in accordance with it? The book Plato in 60 Minutes uses three of Plato’s marvellous allegories – “the chariot”, “the sun”, and “the cave” – to explain the philosopher’s fascinating vision of the Ideas. But it also presents, citing key passages, Plato’s great political vision of an ideal state ruled by philosopher-kings. Finally, in a chapter on “what use Plato’s discovery is for us today”, it is shown how burningly relevant the ancient philosopher’s thoughts still are. The book forms part of the popular series Great Thinkers in 60 Minutes.

THE ATLANTIS COLLECTION encapsulates the vivid fascination and enduring mystery of Atlantis across six seminal works, ranging from Plato's foundational mythos to speculative reconstructions and philosophical explorations. This anthology boasts a diverse array of literary styles, from dialogues and essays to narrative fiction, each contributing a unique lens through which the myth of the submerged continent is examined. The collection not only showcases the narrative elasticity of the Atlantis myth but also underscores its lasting impact on literature, philosophy, and speculative thought, marking standout contributions from a variety of perspectives that invite readers to ponder the intersection of myth and reality. The contributing authors, including the ancient philosopher Plato and the visionary Francis Bacon, alongside Ignatius Donnelly, C.J. Cutcliffe Hyne, and William Scott-Elliot, bring a rich tapestry of backgrounds to the compilation. Their collective works reflect significant periods in literary and cultural history, from Antiquity to the Enlightenment and beyond, into the realms of early speculative fiction. This assembly underlines how the Atlantis theme has traversed eras, capturing imaginations and stimulating intellectual discourse about utopia, catastrophe, and humanity's origins, thus enriching the anthology with deep historical and cultural insights. For scholars, enthusiasts, and casual readers alike, THE ATLANTIS COLLECTION offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the multifaceted legend of Atlantis through the ages. This anthology is an invitation to traverse time and theory, encouraging a deep dive into how different eras and thinkers have envisioned, utilized, and been fascinated by the idea of a lost world. It represents not just a journey through the myth of Atlantis but a journey through the philosophical, literary, and cultural movements that it has inspired, making it an essential volume for those seeking to understand the enduring allure of Atlantis and its impact on human thought and creativity.

James Adam's edition of Plato's Republic with an introduction by D. A. Rees reviewing Adam's work on the language and meaning of the book.

Learn the brewing secrets for hearty barley wines. Discover the rich history. Find out why it’s called a “wine.” Includes barley wine recipes from some of the industry’s most respected brewers. The eleventh title in Brewers Publications’ critically acclaimed Classic Beer Style Series. The Classic Beer Style Series from Brewers Publications examines individual world-class beer styles, covering origins, history, sensory profiles, brewing techniques and commercial examples.