A New York Times and Washington Post Bestseller Bestselling author; basketball legend and cultural commentator Kareem Abdul-Jabbar explores the heart of issues that affect Americans today.Since retiring from professional basketball as the NBA's all-time leading scorer; six-time MVP; and Hall of Fame inductee; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has become a lauded observer of culture and society; a New York Times bestselling author; and a regular contributor to The Washington Post; TIME magazine and TIME.com.He now brings that keen insight to the fore in Writings on the Wall: Searching for a New Equality Beyond Black and White; his most incisive and important work of non-fiction in years. He uses his unique blend of erudition; street smarts and authentic experience in essays on the country's seemingly irreconcilable partisan divide - both racial and political; parenthood; and his own experiences as an athlete; African-American; and a Muslim. The book is not just a collection of expositions; he also offers keen assessments of and solutions to problems such as racism in sports while speaking candidly about his experiences on the court and off.Timed for publication as the nation debates whom to send to the White House; the combination of plain talk on issues; life lessons; and personal stories places Writings on the Wall squarely in the middle of the conversation; as many of Abdul-Jabbar's topics are at the top of the national agenda. Whether it is sparring with Donald Trump; within the pages of TIME magazine; or full-length features in the The New York Times Magazine; writers; critics; and readers have come to agree on what The Washington Post observed: Abdul-Jabbar "has become a vital; dynamic and unorthodox cultural voice."
#384406 in Books Huizinga Johan 2014-09-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .53 x 5.98l; .70 #File Name: 1614277060234 pagesHomo Ludens A Study of the Play Element in Culture
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A Playful Guide For Those Seeking The Craft of RitualBy Jonathan CookIn Homo Ludens; Johan Huizinga makes the case that the ability and appetite for play is a defining characteristic of humanity. Huizinga describes play as an essential pillar of civilization; present in our art; our law; and even in our war. He writes about the idea of play playfully; looking for common themes in the many meanings embedded in the concept of play; rather than restricting himself to a single definition. The fluidity of play; as Huizinga sees it; allows it to course through theater; gambling and politics alike.It's all in the game. Present day game theorists may quibble with Huizinga's idea of the magic circle that encompasses play; saying that the circle is really a square; or that it is contained by more of a dotted line than by an absolute boundary; but these are the arguments of academics who themselves have forgotten how to play with ideas; and find themselves struggling to find anything of their own to say under the deadlines of publish-or-perish. In the competition between useful ideas; their critiques lose to Huizinga's vision without putting up much of a fight.Video game designers are among the most enthusiastic readers of Homo Ludens these days. They would do well to attend to Huizinga's link of play in general; and games in particular; to ritual. A ritual understanding of the player experience with video games could lead to surprising; entertaining; and profitable developments in the game industry.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Play isn't just for funBy Laurence ChalemI don't know how anyone can read this book and think it is a terrible translation. This book was poetic and playful itself as it delved into the subject. I read it because it was recommended as the book on the subject by Robert Bellah in his compendious book entitled RELIGION IN HUMAN EVOLUTION. Well; Robert is correct; HOMO LUDENS is the authoritative read on the subject. And quite a fine example of writing too. Elegant; eloquent; and artful; though I did need to have a dictionary handy. Again; how anyone can think the translation is of poor quality is beyond my understanding because of the vocabulary used. It is definitely of high quality. This is one of those life-changing books that is hard to put down; and when it's over; you wish there was more. Play in its highest form for sure. Highly recommended... - lc0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Classic treatiseBy David R. EwoldsenThe book is dated but still a classic treatment of the role of play in culture. It still influences research on play and games despite its age.
