Books published by Shepheard-Walwyn (Publishers) Ltd

This book is aimed at presenting a common-sense, first-principles, philosophical perspective on a vital subject that seems to have lost its way. There is such a thing as justice, there is such a thing as truth; and these two need not be lost forever.

Munu is a beautiful story of hope in the face of adversity. It has a humorous tone and will appeal to children, the conservationists of the future.

The author tackles these questions in a direct, open way of interest to believers and non-believers alike. In fact he asks 'If you do not believe, do you wish there were an afterlife?'

This volume and its companions contain the first English translation of the letters written by the philosopher-priest who helped to shape the changes that we associate with the Renaissance.

This book traces the cause of poverty to a widely accepted social institution, just as slavery once was, and reveals a way in which this defect could be remedied by introducing a more efficient way of funding government.

MARSILIO FICINO of Florence (1433-99) was one of the most influential thinkers of the Renaissance. He put before society a new ideal of human nature, emphasising its divine potential. As teacher and guide to a remarkable circle of men, he made a vital contribution to changes that were taking place in European thought.

The first biography of the man who launched the self-help phenomenon. Based on contemporary sources, many previously unexamined. Addresses timeless questions - of progress and freedom, success and failure, work and happiness, the individual and the state. A story rich in present-day relevance - topical and controversial.

This is the second edition of Polly Higgins' book which exposes corporate and political ecocide and proposes environmental law needed to prevent earth's trajectory towards disaster.

Economic inequality has reached historic highs worldwide. Almost half the world's wealth is now owned by just 1% of the population. Disparities in the distribution of wealth have grown far more extreme than disparities in income. This is the result of a broken 'system' and no amount of business-as-usual will solve it, the author argues.

This engaging poem depicts Winston Churchill as a hero, in traditional epic style and echoes the works of Homer and Virgil. The metre adds an emotional intensity to the events of 20th century history more usually found within Classical literature.

South Africa, like many countries in Africa, is resource rich but the benefits are not shared by the whole population. High levels of unem-ployment are leading to increasing conflict and violence, undermining the brighter future hoped for when apartheid was abolished.

A chance discovery provided the author with the key to unlocking the centuries old enigma of Botticelli's Primavera - the famous Renaissance masterpiece painted for the private viewing of a Medici. Its pagan figures in a paradisical spring meadow illuminated the cryptic world of the Renaissance pagan revival. Botticelli's allegory emerged to address its personal message directly to a young Medici, one of the known world's richest young men. Botticelli's cleverly disguised message for Lorenzo Minore, is to be found on the right side of La Primavera, where Chloris draws Zephyr's attention to it. This book is extremely well researched and beautifully produced with eighty color plates, a full pullout reproduction of La Primavera and numerous details from this and other Renaissance paintings. Lane-Spollen clearly explains the fusion of Christian and pagan imagery which is reflected in La Primavera, placing it in the wider context of the history, religion and politics of the period. The author employs a readable style which will make this book suitable for those familiar with this period looking for more detail about a beloved painting, and those who are new to the Renaissance and Art History. Lane-Spollen gives a clear overview of why and how Botticelli conveyed his message in code: An esteemed circle of scholars around the Medici, disillusioned with a worldly and corrupted medieval Church, searched for a purer, unadulterated Christianity in the pre-Christian foundations of their faith. This was a dangerous occupation in a society where the reach of the Church was present in all matters public and private. In 1460 a manuscript was brought to Cosimo de'Medici. Its author, Hermes, was revered by Augustine and the early Church Fathers. Its revelations on the true nature of Man held the evidence they were seeking and stood in stark contrast to the teachings of the medieval church and had no place for man as a lowly humble sinner who must throw himself on the mercy of the Church. Neoplatonism and the Hermetic corpus which so inspired the Medici circle, saw Man as unique among all species and possessing a 'spark of the divine'. Though heretical and blasphemous in the extreme, this philosophy had a profound effect and spread rapidly. As Burckhardt noted, "it became the breath of life for all the most instructed minds of Europe". Convinced by its impeccable provenence, the Medici circle of philosophers and poets strived to merge the three great but competing religions, Judaism, Islam and Christianity, into a single religion in harmony with their orginal pre-Christian foundations. Expressing this newly discovered 'God-like' being in art stimulated the creative imagination of the early Renaissance as artists like Botticelli, Leonardo, Michaelangelo and Raphaello strove to express 'divine' Man's dignity, his innate capability and the profound depths of his potential for greatness.

Ficino's commentary on Plato's Timaeus offers the English reader, for the first time, an opportunity to share the insights of this highly influential Renaissance philosopher into one of Plato's most important works. It provides rich source material for those interested in philosophy, the history of cosmic theory, Platonic and Renaissance studies.

The second volume of the letters of Marsilio Ficino, who was an influential figure of the Italian Renaissance. This translation comprises the third book of Ficino's letters ("Liber III"), as published during his lifetime, and dates from August 1476 to May 1477.

In these witty poems, St Claire Bullock ponders the foibles and vanities of us mortals. Written in rhyming couplets, they follow the style of Hilaire Belloc, Ogden Nash and Edward Lear, with the author's own comic flourish. Some poems are represented in pen and ink caricatures.

Marcus Aurelius, one of the greatest Roman emperors, is remembered less for his military exploits than for his private reflections. His Meditations, as they became known, have been a major influence on Western thought and behaviour. Inspired by their wisdom, Stedall has sought to present them in a contemporary, more digestible way.

This is Glasgow, rich in variety, seen through the twinkling eyes of a likeable cab-driver whose humanity shines through.