Alan Ryan

Praised widely upon hardcover publication, Alan Ryan's "masterpiece" (David Ulin, Los Angeles Times) blends history and philosophy to examine three thousand years of political thought. Drawing on three decades of research, Ryan insightfully traces the origins of political philosophy from the ancient Greeks to the present and evokes the lives and minds of our greatest thinkers in a way that makes reading about them a "remarkable experience" (Jeremy Waldron, New York Review of Books). Whether writing about Plato or Augustine, Tocqueville or Jefferson, Ryan illuminates John Dewey's dictum that the role of philosophy is less to see truth than to enhance life. With this "epic" (John Keane, Financial Times) tour de force, Ryan affirms his place as one of the most influential political philosophers of our time.

Jack Quinlan, an American writer, travels to a small village in the remote western part of Ireland to research a book on the Irish Famine. The quiet, picturesque village seems just the place to spend a few months writing, but beneath its placid exterior lurk dark secrets. Why do the locals behave so strangely? What is Father Henning, the enigmatic parish priest, hiding? And what is the meaning of the strange ritual Jack observes in the cemetery? The search for answers will lead him to the terrifying discovery that the ghosts of the past linger on in the present, and they cry out for blood ... An atmospheric, haunting ghost story, Cast a Cold Eye (1984) is a slow burn horror novel that will keep readers in suspense until its chilling conclusion. "Alan Ryan is one of the brightest lights among the new generation of horror writers." - Peter Straub, author of Ghost Story "The writing is beautiful, haunting, hypnotic ... The ghosts of Cast a Cold Eye have not left me." - William Peter Blatty, author of The Exorcist " Ryan] is in the front ranks of today's horror writers." - Karl Edward Wagner, in Twilight Zone

The author is widely regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of the twentieth century and a brilliant writer and commentator on social and political affairs. What I Believe offers a lucid and concise insight into the author's thinking on issues that preoccupied him throughout his life: atheism, religious morality and the impact of science on society. With the addition of two further essays, 'Why I Took to Philosophy' and 'How I Write', this is a superb example of the author as his very best.

In On Marx, Alan Ryan examines Marx’s writing, not within the framework of Lenin or Tolstoy but within its own time, tracing its Hegelian roots and providing a sterling explication and critique of his theories of alienation, class struggle and revolution. This volume provides the clearest, most accessible introduction to Marx’s theories in recent years. On Marx features a chronology, biography and excerpts from Marx’s major works.

In On Tocqueville, Alan Ryan brilliantly illuminates the observations of the French philosopher who first journeyed to the United States in 1831 and went on to catalogue the unique features of the American social contract. Tocqueville’s prescient analyses of American life remain as relevant today as when they were first written. On Tocqueville features a chronology, biography and excerpts from Tocqueville’s major works.

For his insistence on the amoral character of successful government, Machiavelli remains a contentious figure. Often reviled as a teacher of evil, Machiavelli’s influence on the modern state is explored in this book. In On Machiavelli, Alan Ryan illuminates the political and philosophical complexities of the godfather of realpolitik. Often outraging popular opinion, Machiavelli eschewed the world as it ought to be in favour of a forthright appraisal of the one that is. Thought by some to be the founder of Italian nationalism, regarded by others to be a reviver of the Roman Republic, Machiavelli has suffered from being taken out of context. Placing him squareley in his own time, this essential, comprehensive and accessible guide to Machiavelli’s life and works includes a new introduction by Ryan.

The author is widely regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of the twentieth century and a brilliant writer and commentator on social and political affairs. What I Believe offers a lucid and concise insight into the author's thinking on issues that preoccupied him throughout his life: atheism, religious morality and the impact of science on society. With the addition of two further essays, 'Why I Took to Philosophy' and 'How I Write', this is a superb example of the author as his very best.

At the dawn of the 21st century, new weapons and information technologies are transforming warfare to enable wars to be fought 'over the horizon' by smart unmanned missiles. There may be a temptation to think that combat no longer involves people and that the vital role of the individual, 'the man against fire', is in danger of being forgotten. But humans and human factors are still decisive in modern warfare.This book analyses the human face of warfare in the past, present and future. It contains essays by eminent Australian and international experts covering such issues as the psychology of killing in society and in the military; the past and future stresses on military commanders, from Douglas Macarthur to Norman Schwarzkopf; the making of war heroes such as Albert Jacka and Audie Murphy; and the role of women in combat.The growing dilemma in Western democracies, between the need for far-flung commitments to maintain international security and increasing public reluctance to accept military casualties in the face of instantaneous media coverage, is carefully analysed.The Human Face of Warfare is a major interdisciplinary contribution to a field of study that is rapidly growing in importance in Western society.