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This book comprises the second place winner in the 2021 Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies essay contest. The winning prize was $300,000. In this book the concept of the continuity of consciousness is described, based mainly on recent scientific research on near-death experiences (NDE), but also on other experiences of enhanced consciousness. Since the publication of several prospective studies on NDE in survivors of cardiac arrest, with strikingly similar results and conclusions, the phenomenon of the NDE can no longer be scientifically ignored.

This book contains the fundamental works of Marxism, Anarchism and Bolshevism: The Communist Manifesto, originally the Manifesto of the Communist Party, by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels; Reform or Revolution by Rosa Luxemburg; The Conquest of Bread by the Russian anarcho-communist Peter Kropotkin; Anarchism: What it Really Stands For by Emma Goldman; The State and Revolution by Vladimir Lenin; Fascism: What It Is and How To Fight It by Leon Trotsky.

Titus Andronicus is the main character and tragic hero in William Shakespeare's play of the same name, Titus Andronicus, a Senecan tragedy. Titus is a Roman nobleman and a general in the war who distinguished himself in ten years of service against the Goths. Despite his exemplary service the war's toll on him is sufficient that he declined the emperorship. Nonetheless, he begins the play as an exemplary citizen. However faith in the traditions of the Roman system of government eventually leads to his death as others seek revenge.

Under the sun-drenched skies of the Canary Islands, a seemingly perfect vacation takes a sinister turn. A quiet, unassuming companion drowns under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a trail of whispered secrets and suspicious looks. Was it a tragic accident, or was something darker at play? When Miss Marple is drawn into the story, her astute perception peels back the layers of a friendship riddled with envy and concealed motives. The Companion is a gripping exploration of loyalty warped by greed and the chilling lengths people will go to for what they covet.

In a sleepy English village, where scandal whispers under a polite facade, a single act of betrayal erupts into a mystery that entangles everyone. In Motive v. Opportunity, Miss Marple faces one of her most baffling dilemmas: when both motive and opportunity lie in plain sight, what reveals the real killer? Every character seems cloaked in a blend of innocence and cunning, each with their own murky secrets. But the question is not who had a reason or the chance—it's who had the audacity.

"The Princess and the Goblin" by George MacDonald is a classic fairy tale that intertwines the adventures of a brave princess named Irene and her encounters with magical creatures, including goblins and a mysterious great-great-grandmother. Set in a fantastical world, the story explores themes of courage, loyalty, and the triumph of good over evil. MacDonald weaves a captivating narrative filled with enchanting elements and moral undertones, making it a timeless and delightful read for audiences of all ages.

Soren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher, theologian, and religious author interested in human psychology. He is regarded as a leading pioneer of existentialism and one of the greatest philosophers of the 19th Century.

Hermeticism or Hermetism is a philosophical system based on the purported teachings of Hermes Trismegistus (a legendary Hellenistic combination of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth). These teachings are contained in the various writings attributed to Hermes (the Hermetica), which were produced over a period spanning many centuries (c. 300 BCE — 1200 CE) and may be very different in content and scope.

Clive Staples Lewis, better known as C.S. Lewis, was a respected academic, writer, and speaker. While he might be best known for his works of fantasy, especially the Chronicles of Narnia and Space Trilogy series, he also wrote many books on Christian apologetics, including Mere Christianity, Miracles, and The Problem of Pain.

Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, better known as Vladimir Lenin, was a Russian revolutionary, politician, and political theorist. He served as the first and founding head of government of Soviet Russia from 1917 to 1924 and of the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1924. Under his administration, Russia, and later the Soviet Union, became a one-party socialist state governed by the Communist Party. Ideologically a Marxist, his developments to the ideology are called Leninism.

The Gods of Bal-Sagoth is an adventure-fantasy story by Robert E. Howard, first published in 1931. The tale follows Turlogh Dubh O'Brien, an Irish warrior and mercenary, who finds himself caught in a storm at sea and cast ashore on a mysterious, uncharted island. There, he encounters Athelstane, a Viking prince who leads him to the legendary lost city of Bal-Sagoth. The city, once ruled by an ancient, god-like race, is now in decline, its people divided and warring among themselves.

The Power of Faith: Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale is an inspiring exploration of the transformative power of faith and optimism in achieving personal and professional success. Peale, a pioneer of positive thinking, provides practical advice and real-life examples to illustrate how faith and a positive mindset can overcome obstacles and lead to a fulfilling life. In this book, Peale emphasizes the importance of cultivating a strong, unwavering belief in oneself and one's goals.

Soren Kierkegaard was a Danish theologian, philosopher, poet, social critic, and religious author who is widely considered to be the first existentialist philosopher. He wrote critical texts on organized religion, Christianity, morality, ethics, psychology, and the philosophy of religion, displaying a fondness for metaphor, irony, and parables. Much of his philosophical work deals with the issues of how one lives as a "single individual", giving priority to concrete human reality over abstract thinking and highlighting the importance of personal choice and commitment.

The Kybalion is a book originally published in 1908 by "Three Initiates" (often identified as the New Thought pioneer William Walker Atkinson, 1862–1932) that purports to convey the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus. While it shares with ancient and medieval Hermetic texts a number of traits such as philosophical mentalism, the concept of 'as above, so below', and the idea that everything consists of gendered polar opposites, as a whole it is more indebted to the ideas of modern occultist authors, especially those of the New Thought movement to which Atkinson belonged.

When Raymond West—a man whose thirst for adventure matches his talent for mystery—gets word of a forgotten treasure sunken off the coast, he finds himself lured to a sleepy Cornish village. But what seems like an idyllic trip quickly turns ominous as secrets bubble up from the ocean's depths, and danger lurks in every shadow. Rumors of smuggled gold ingots ignite whispers of treachery, and a web of lies begins to unravel. Lucky for Raymond, his astute friend Miss Marple is never far from the truth, even if she's leagues away from the scene.

In The Idol House of Astarte, Agatha Christie spins an enchanting yet eerie tale, turning an innocent country outing into a sinister encounter with the supernatural. As the story unfolds at a seemingly harmless pagan shrine, an ancient statue of the goddess Astarte casts an unsettling presence, hinting at dark forces. When a man suddenly dies after a bizarre ritual, what begins as a harmless story told among friends morphs into an unsettling mystery. Is there truly a supernatural force at work, or is this yet another case where human nature outshines superstition in its cunning?

In The Affair at the Bungalow, the world of stage and screen collides with a mystery too outrageous to be fiction. When a glamorous actress, Miss Jane Helier, becomes tangled in a crime that unfolds in her very own bungalow, the line between her role and reality blurs. Is it a simple case of stolen jewels, or is there something far more devious at play? As Miss Helier recounts her side of the story, each detail adds to a puzzle that only the sharpest minds can decipher. Who is hiding behind the curtain, and what motive drives them?

Some secrets can only be kept by the dead. When Dr. Rosen, a man with enemies in dark places, is found dead at the bottom of his staircase, everyone suspects foul play. Four people were close enough to know his fears—and perhaps, his fate. Each carries their own scars, secrets, and strange alibis. As suspicion falls on them, Miss Marple enters a maze of mistrust and hidden motives, where shadows of a past life reveal a chilling truth. The Four Suspects spins a deadly game of who, if anyone, can truly be trusted, and what treacheries linger in the hearts of even the innocent.

In the cozy setting of an English country home, a simple dinner turns deadly when a young woman dies after eating a seemingly harmless dish. The culprit? A "herb of death" slipped into the meal—but was it an accident, or cold-blooded murder? As tensions rise and suspicions circle around the dining table, Miss Marple begins to unravel the tangled web of secrets and lies lurking beneath the surface. The Herb of Death draws readers into a chilling world where trust is poisoned and even the most innocent ingredients hide sinister intentions.

The best collection of Russian short stories includes: Fyodor Dostoevsky: Notes from the Underground, The Dream of a Ridiculous Man, The Beggar Boy at Christ's Christmas Tree. Leo Tolstoy: The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Kholstomer, the Story of a Horse, Alyosha the Pot, A Letter to a Hindu, A Confession, God Sees the Truth, but Waits, A Russian Christmas Party. Anton Chekhov: Kashtanka, Gusev, The Darling, The Lady with the Dog, A Slander, The Horse-Stealers, The Petchenyeg, A Dead Body, A Happy Ending, The Looking-GlassOld Age, Darkness, The Beggar, In Trouble, Frost, Minds in Ferment, Gone Astray.