Critical Short

Critical theory emerged in the 1920s from the work of the Frankfurt School, the circle of German-Jewish academics who sought to diagnose—and, if at all possible, cure—the ills of society, particularly fascism and capitalism. In this book, Stephen Eric Bronner provides sketches of leading representatives of the critical tradition (such as George Lukács and Ernst Bloch, Theodor Adorno and Walter Benjamin, Herbert Marcuse and Jurgen Habermas) as well as many of its seminal texts and empirical investigations.

Every Sherlock Holmes story ever written — in one volume. This edition of The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle brings together all four novels and all fifty-six short stories in a single, carefully organized collection. From the first meeting at Bart's Hospital in A Study in Scarlet to the final bow in Shoscombe Old Place, every case, every deduction, every fog-drenched London street is here — the complete Sherlock Holmes series as Conan Doyle wrote it. But this is not just another reprint. WHAT MAKES THIS EDITION DIFFERENT Each of the nine books in the Sherlock Holmes...

A lifelike dummy. A strange dinner party. A soul that won’t stay dead. When struggling actor/waiter Luke Barrett is assigned to serve a bizarre memorial dinner, he doesn’t expect the guest of honor to be a creepy carpool dummy—or for the night to follow him home. But soon, Luke begins blacking out. Seeing things. Becoming someone else. As his reality unravels, he realizes the dummy isn’t just a lifeless prop. It’s watching. Waiting. And it wants in. From bestselling author William Massa comes a chilling short story of possession and occult terrors. A quick read that can be read or...

"Critical Mass" was first published in the August 1957 issue of Space Science Fiction Magazine. Sir Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008) is regarded as one of the most-influential science fiction writers of all time. He was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

Brought to you by Penguin. This Penguin Classic is performed by Arinzé Kene, writer and performer of Olivier Award nominated Misty, and also known for his roles in Youngers, Informer and Eastenders. This definitive recording includes an Introduction by Gareth Stedman Jones. The Communist...

Designed for C2 near-native learners, this e-book delivers a curated set of sophisticated American English short stories in a streamlined, story-only format. Each text features layered narratives, shifting perspectives, implied meanings, and rich cultural references—written in high-level yet contemporary General American English that remains readable and natural. Across informal, professional, and reflective situations, the stories model advanced collocations, natural phrasal verbs, figurative language, and precise register shifts so you can sharpen your sense of tone, style, and nuance. ...

Brought to you by Penguin. This Penguin Classic is performed by Michael Pennington, one of the founders of the English Shakespeare Company, known for his stage work with the RSC, and who played Carl Jung in the BBC drama, Freud. This definitive recording includes an Introduction by Mark Cousins...

A Magical Adventure That Makes Learning Irresistible! When a flying moose and a talking squirrel crash-land on their front steps, Imani, Tommy, and Maya are swept into their most unusual adventure yet! Rocky and Bullwinkle need help—someone has stolen the legendary Thinking Toilet, and without it, no one in the magical realms can solve problems anymore. Join three brave friends as they journey through Philosophy Forest where question-mark trees whisper mysteries, climb Monopoly Mountains with game-board peaks, splash through fizzy Carbonated Springs, and discover the Sanitation Station ...

Critical mass may be a minimum for chain reaction or a maximum for stability. Either way, things go off. Collective consciousness and common behaviors accelerate in chaos. Subtle change builds to drastic consequence. Mass media covers hateful simpletons gaining market share on slap diddle, shouting lies on fire. Road rage is self-expression. Stress compresses, on the way to another big bang.

When did being awake become a problem? In recent years, the word “woke” has transformed from a term describing awareness into one of the most controversial words in modern American politics. Some see it as a call for social awareness. Others see it as a threat to tradition and national identity. But beneath the political arguments lies a deeper question: Why would awareness itself become something we fear? In Letter to America: Woke, a U.S. Navy veteran explores the historical, cultural, and philosophical questions surrounding awareness, education, and the role of citizens in a ...

This is the first story collection ever from best-selling fantasy and science-fiction writer L. E. Modesitt, Jr. Modesitt began publishing short fiction in the SF magazines in the 1970s, and this collection includes a selection of stories from the whole of his career. Some of the early stories are kernels for his early SF novels, others display the wide range of his talents and interests, from satire to military adventure.

As the age of the singularity dawns and artificial intelligence begins to rival mankind, the stakes have never been higher. Will robots and androids work side by side with mankind to make the world a better place or will they become our most bitter enemy?

What would happen if someone spoke to you as if you lacked intelligence? Would you tolerate it—from a coworker, a family member, or an employee? In A Letter to America: Are You Not Offended?, a U.S. Navy veteran asks a question many Americans feel but rarely confront: Why do we accept being spoken to with condescension by those elected to represent us? This short, powerful reflection explores respect, accountability, and the quiet erosion of expectations between citizens and their leaders. It is not a political argument. It does not endorse parties or policies. Instead, it invites readers...

Synopsis - A government approved "author” is tempted to show the world the words they are missing. After Dinner Conversation is a growing series of short stories across genres to draw out deeper discussions with friends and family. Each story is an accessible example of an abstract ethical or philosophical idea and is accompanied by suggested discussion questions. Podcast discussions of this short story, and others, is available on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and Youtube. ★★★ If you enjoy this story, subscribe via our website to "After Dinner Conversation Magazine" and get this, and ...