Vladimir Sergeyevich Solovyov (1853 –1900) was a Russian philosopher and theologian. His work of fiction, A Story of Anti-Christ, is a fascinating dystopian novel that was almost lost to time but now rediscovered.

Between 1907 and 1911, Rudolf Steiner wrote four "mystery plays": "The Portal of Initiation," "The Soul's Probation," "The Guardian of the Threshold," and "The Souls' Awakening." The plays depict the soul and spiritual lives of several characters, reflecting the spiritual consequences of our actions in earthly life. Hans and Ruth Pusch devoted their lives to directing performances of Steiner's mystery dramas in America. They also took up the difficult task of translating his four plays into English. This book will prove excellent reading for those wanting to perform the plays or deepen their appreciation for the plays' spiritual content.

The great age of Russian philosophy spans the century between 1830 and 1930 - from the famous Slavophile-Westernizer controversy of the 1830s and 1840s, through the 'Silver Age' of Russian culture at the beginning of the twentieth century, to the formation of a Russian 'philosophical emigration' in the wake of the Russian Revolution. This volume is a major history and interpretation of Russian philosophy in this period. Eighteen chapters (plus a substantial introduction and afterword) discuss Russian philosophy's main figures, schools and controversies, while simultaneously pursuing a common central theme: the development of a distinctive Russian tradition of philosophical humanism focused on the defence of human dignity. As this volume shows, the century-long debate over the meaning and grounds of human dignity, freedom and the just society involved thinkers of all backgrounds and positions, transcending easy classification as 'religious' or 'secular'. The debate still resonates strongly today.

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Vladimir Solovyov's philosophical classic explores the nature of war and battle in human society, and the potential manifestations of the Antichrist foreseen in Christian texts. Taking the form of a dialogue between several participants, Solovyov explores a series of philosophical ideas. At times lively freeform conversation sparkling with wit and insight, at times making intensive use of the Socratic method of questioning, Solovyov's wide-ranging enquiries are intensely readable. Some of the conversationalists have little to no knowledge of philosophy; with this in mind, the book is made entertaining and plain-spoken, advancing deep ideas in a manner understandable. As one of Solovyov's final works prior to his death in 1900, the introduction represents the author's mature outlook, encompassing Western and Eastern religious and philosophic questions, plus a suspicion that East Asian nations were an imminent threat to Russia. This outlook proved somewhat accurate with the outbreak of war between Russia and Japan in 1904-1905, in which Japan emerged victorious. Questions include whether war is an inevitability given human nature, the geopolitics of the day, and how to recognize manifestations of good and evil in the world. Perhaps most distinctive however is the energetic and insightful concluding monologue on the Antichrist; incisive and stark in its portrayal, this tale offers a memorable finish.

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