Malaspina Great Books, Established 1995; Created by Russell McNeil, PhD, Visitors:
With the growing importance of global warming, Climate News Live provides up-to-date news and information. This is a non-partisan source of timely news articles, current events, and the relevant topics that are shaping the public policy debate in the United States and elsewhere. ... (click on picture or headline above for more)
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius:
Selections Annotated and Explained
Russell McNeil, PhD
Editor, Malaspina Great Books
In 1862 the English literary critic and poet Matthew Arnold described Marcus Aurelius as "the most beautiful figure in history." The Stoicism of Aurelius is grounded in rationality and rests solidly on an ethical approach rooted in nature. Stoicism promises real happiness and joy in this life and a serenity that can never be soured by personal misfortune. This philosophy has universal appeal with practical implications on problems ranging from climate change and terrorism to the personal management of sickness, aging, depression and addiction. I truly believe that the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius has much to offer us now...(Click on book cover for more)
Charlie Parker was a gifted saxophonist and composer who advanced the art of improvisation and rhythm and founded the bebop Jazz movement. Born in Kansas City, Kansas, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of eight. Greatly influenced by the Kansas City Jazz scene, he eventually began to play with a variety of local Jazz and blues groups and finally moved to New York where his musical reputation grew. Two of his most famous musical compositions are Yardbird Suite and Now's the Time. His last public appearance was March 5, 1955, only seven days before his death, at the New York nightclub, Birdland, which was named in his honor. [Adapted from Missouri General Assembly]
This web page is part of a biographical database on Great Ideas. These are living ideas that have shaped, defined and directed world culture for over 2,500 years. By definition the Great Ideas are radical. As such they are sometimes misread, or distorted by popular simplifications. Understanding a Great Idea demands personal engagement. Our selection of Great Ideas is drawn from literature and philosophy, science, art, music, theatre, and cinema. We also include biographies of pivotal historical and religious figures, as well as contributions from women and other historically under-represented minorities. The result is an integrated multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary database built upon the framework of the always controversial Great Books Core List published in 1940 by the late Great Books Pioneer Mortimer Adler (1902-2001). Most of the works on that list are available in the 60 volume Great Books of the Western World.
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Charlie (Yardbird) Parker Jr.
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