{"title":"Echoes And Reflections","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"lifelong-quest-for-peace-book-linus-pauling-9781845118891","title":"A Lifelong Quest for Peace","description":"Linus Pauling is celebrated as one of the greatest scientific minds of the last century, whose decisive contributions to an astonishing diversity of fields - including organic and inorganic chemistry, quantum mechanics, molecular biology and medicine - still remain in many respects definitive. Pauling was additionally a tireless campaigner against the perils of nuclear conflict, and his contributions to both science and peace were recognized by the award to him of two separate Nobel Prizes. In this philosophically broad and sinewy book, he engages in complementary discussion with Daisaku Ikeda, President of Soka Gakkai - and another tireless champion for peace and dialogue.Showcasing the central ideas and fundamental values of two of the leading pacifist minds of recent times, \"A Lifelong Quest for Peace\" ranges over such perennially critical themes as ethics and technology, the appropriate use to which science should be put, the nature of morality and the human quest for progress, justice and equality. Both richly anecdotal and warmly engaging, the discussions offer fascinating insights into and recollections from the interlocutors' early lives and subsequent careers. Pauling and Ikeda thereby demonstrate through warm personal example the essential and lasting value of constructive conversation between people of different backgrounds and contrasting cultures.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49514111336721,"sku":"GOR013330565","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1845118898.jpg?v=1750802411"},{"product_id":"ode-to-the-grand-spirit-book-chingiz-aitmatov-9781845119874","title":"Ode to the Grand Spirit","description":"'There is life hidden within stones. Only we human beings can give meaning to all things in the cosmos through thought and words'. With these haunting and resonant words did Kyrgyz writer and novelist Chingiz Aitmatov, who died in June 2008, summarise the dialogue that he undertook with leading Buddhist leader Daisaku Ikeda. Aitmatov is best known for his novella \"Jamila\", on the publication of which he achieved great fame in the Soviet Union in 1958. But after the Soviet Union's collapse, this writer, who is often lauded as one of the great Soviet authors, felt that his work had been passed over. \"Ode to the Grand Spirit\" is both an enduring tribute to the thought of a powerful writer and a fascinating individual as well as a profound reflection on such themes of the process of literary creation, spiritual growth and the essence of humanity.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51582266442001,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51582266474769,"sku":"GOR006470235","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1845119878.jpg?v=1751091667"},{"product_id":"jose-marti-cuban-apostle-book-cintio-vitier-9781848851993","title":"Jose Marti, Cuban Apostle","description":"Once called 'the wellspring of the revolution' by Fidel Castro, Jose Marti (1853-1895) is revered as one of the greatest figures in the history of Cuba. Not only was he instrumental in the late nineteenth-century cause of securing Cuban independence from Spain. He is also considered one of Cuba's most brilliant writers, orators and formative intellectuals, who provided inspiration to the young Fidel, Che and their fellow revolutionaries by dedicating his whole life to the goal of national political emancipation. Jose Marti suffered persecution and early imprisonment for his convictions, and in consequence is often referred to as the 'Cuban Apostle'.  In this wide-ranging discussion of Marti's life, work and influence, distinguished Cuban poet Cintio Vitier and prominent Buddhist leader Daisaku Ikeda explore their subject's understanding of non-violence; his nationalism that was also a profound openness to difference and dialogue; his spirituality; his poetical writings; and most of all his fundamental dignity, humanity and self-mastery. The book explores above all the nature of sacrifice, and the cost of relinquishing personal happiness for the sake of a great cause. The discussants examine Marti's family life, including his difficult relationships with his wife - Carmen Zayas Bazan - and his parents, who distanced themselves from his revolutionary fervour. Comparisons are drawn between Marti's ideals and Nichiren Buddhism as a source of unfailing hope and courage. As Daisaku Ikeda, follower of Nichiren, says at one point in the dialogue: 'Self-mastery is the hardest thing of all. But to have a spiritual nature worthy of the name, a person must overcome himself, a task that only a true optimist can accomplish. Marti's perspicacity is revealed in his conviction that final victory in life is assured by such optimists.' Marti, like Nichiren, had the unerring ability to turn enemies into friends. And as Cintio Vitier and Daisaku Ikeda reveal, what set Marti apart was not his thought or ideas alone but what emanated from his words and found embodiment in his actions. It was thus that a follower at the time could say of him: we don't understand him, but we are ready to die for him.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":53730621522193,"sku":"NLS9781848851993","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9781848851993.jpg?v=1783045170"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/en-gb\/collections\/echoes-and-reflections-book-series.oembed","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}