Through close textual analysis of La Rochefoucauld's writings, Richard Hodgson studies the moralist's use of metaphors such as the mask as well as his very personal concept of what constitutes an etre vrai, or genuine person. The study then traces the impact of La Rochefoucauld's ideas on thinkers from Vauvenargues and Chamfort to Nietzsche, Lautreamont, and Lacan. It concludes by suggesting reasons why La Rochefoucauld's concept of truth continues to have such enormous appeal to the modern reader.

In her debut book, Disguised Lies, Olivia Dalton chronicles a harrowing journey through a coercively abusive, alcohol-fuelled childhood and, later as an adult, other relationships marked by narcissistic disorder. She offers insights into achieving the realizations necessary for healing, providing clear, intentional pathways for resilience against gaslighting, betrayal, the lovebomb-devalue-discard cycle, and the re-empowerment of the human spirit. Dalton presents tools to transform the mind, body, and spirit, enabling victims to break free from the toxic, cyclical bindings of abuse. By merging light humour with the cringe-worthy subject of narcissism, Olivia’s story balances intensity and inspiration. In her profound, poignantly disturbing, yet uplifting narrative, she explores the spectral characteristics and behavioural stages of narcissistic abuse, the causations, and how she strategically protected and disentangled herself from a lengthy coercively controlled marriage. She also recounts surviving an arduous court battle over property. Peace, purpose, and freedom are the objectives woven into her moving story, culminating in an ending that will leave you speechless. Olivia is many things: an entrepreneur, humanitarian, motivational speaker, and advocate for the liberties and fundamental human rights of women, children, and the vulnerable to exploitation. She is also a thought leader, natural intuitive, inspirator, and mentor. Above all, she’s a survivor!

Edwin Hatch provided a colourful portrait of the religious world to which Justin Martyr belonged: The main subject-matter of ... literary education [amongst the pagans] was the poets. ... They were read as we read the Bible. They were committed to memory. The minds of men were saturated with them. A quotation from Homer or from a tragic poet was apposite on all occasions and in every kind of society (The Influence of Greek Ideas on Christianity, 1957). So when some of these pagans converted to Christianity in Justin's day, is it reasonable to assume that they simply

"... all my latter life you had Always the whole of me. In a few words that I can leave You can keep the soul of me." LOVE POEMS by Steven Payne Steven Payne lives and writes in his home county of Leicestershire. He is the author of Carrying the Torch, My Lost Prize (both 2011) and Love Letters (2012), all of which have been published by Xlibris. Love Poems is his first volume of verse.