Hackett Publishing Co.

Classics of moral and political theory, 5th ed.

This fifth edition of an anthology of Western European classics contains new selections by Aristotle, Aquinas, Locke, Kant, and Nietzsche. Some of the works collected are about moral and ethical theory in a broad sense, while others deal with political matters, often treating the relationships among political, legal, religious, philosophical, moral, and psychological issues. Readings are organized chronologically by author, from the ancient Greeks through early Christians, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Hume, Rousseau, Mill, Marx, and Weber. Author chapters begin with a one-page overview on the life, work, and significance of the author and list recommended further readings. Selections are presented in two-column text with no illustrations or sidebars. Some selections include footnotes. Morgan is professor emeritus of philosophy at Indiana University. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The Roman history; from Romulus and the foundation of Rome to the reign of the Emperor Tiberius.

Velleius wrote during the first part of the first century CE, so the final parts of his history recount events he witnessed. For the earlier periods, he draws on what were probably conventional sources — some known today and some not. In this first English translation for 90 years, emeriti classicists Yardely (U. of Ottawa) and Barrett (U. of British Columbia) are more concerned with making the narrative easy for non-specialists to follow and comprehend than with making sure all the nuances of the original come through. A map, a glossary, and other scholarly paraphernalia are provided. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Sir Gawain and the green knight.

Glaser (English, Western Kentucky U.) provides a translation and notes to the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In the preface, he discusses the type of verse, the poem's language, and the text of the manuscript, with sample lines in the original Middle English. The introduction, by Christine Chism (English, U. of California, Los Angeles), explores its authorship; British, literary, and social contexts; plot and structure; main character; themes; integration of religious practices with noble life; and symbols. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Six records of a life adrift.

An unsuccessful scholar, painter, merchant, and private secretary during the Qing dynasty, Shen (1763-1808) recounts his life as a collection of discrete records, overlapping in time but focusing on disparate themes, a form not seen elsewhere in Chinese literature. Rather than the verbose vernacular then used to write novels, he used the concise literary language of poetry, essays, and official histories. Sanders (classical Chinese literature, U. of Toronto) provides voluminous footnotes explaining matters made obscure by time and distance. The records examine delights of marriage, charms of idleness, sorrows of hardship, and pleasures of roaming. The final two records — on experiences of zhongshan, and methods of living — are missing. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

A true and exact history of the island of Barbados.

Although originally published in 1657, this reprint more closely resembles the corrected 1673 edition, maintaining the punctuation but modernizing some language. Englishman Legion describes his ocean voyage to Barbados, the food eaten on the island at that time, and the region’s flora and fauna. A 30-page introduction by Professor Kupperman of New York University summarizes Ligon’s life and adds context to the history. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)