Millions
of Americans keep bedside books of prayer and meditative reflection—collections of daily passages to stimulate spiritual
thought and advancement. The Intellectual Devotional (Rodale / October 2006 / $22.95) is a secular version
of the same—a collection of 365 lessons that will inspire and
invigorate the reader every day of the year. Each nugget of wisdom
is drawn from one of seven fields of knowledge: History, Literature,
Philosophy, Mathematics & Science, Religion, Visual Arts, and Music.
Impress your friends by explaining the meaning of Platos’ “Cave
Allegory,” pepper your cocktail party conversation with opera
terms, solve math problems using the FOIL method. These lessons range
from important passages in literature to basic principles of physics,
from pivotal events in history to images of famous paintings with accompanying
analysis. The book’s goal is to refresh knowledge you’ve
forgotten, bring to light fresh insights, and exercise modes of thinking
that are ordinarily neglected once our school days are behind us. Offering
an escape from the daily grind to contemplate higher things, The Intellectual
Devotional is a great way to awaken in the morning or recharge oneself
before retiring in the evening.
MONDAY—HISTORY: A survey of people and events that shaped the development of Western civilization.
(Click here for the History bibliography.)
TUESDAY—LITERATURE: A look at great writers and a synopsis of their most important works—poems and novels that continue to inspire readers today.
(Click here for the Literature bibliography.)
WEDNESDAY—VISUAL ARTS: An introduction to the artists and artistic movements that yielded the world’s most influential paintings, sculptures, and works of architecture.
(Click here for the Visual Arts bibliography.)
THURSDAY—SCIENCE: From the origin of black holes to how batteries work, the wonders of science are simplified and revealed.
(Click here for the Science bibliography.)
FRIDAY—MUSIC: What inspired our greatest composers, how to read a sheet of notes, and why Mozart is so revered—a comprehensive review of our musical heritage.
(Click here for the Music bibliography.)
SATURDAY—PHILOSOPHY: From ancient Greece to the 20th century, the efforts of humankind’s greatest thinkers to explain the meaning of life and the universe.
(Click here for the Philosophy bibliography.)
SUNDAY—RELIGION: An overview of the world’s major religions and their beliefs.
(Click here for the Religion bibliography.)
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