Great Books Written in Prison : Essays on Classic Works From Plato to Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Many of the world's most important historical figures were imprisoned for holding unpopular or heretical beliefs. Some used their time behind bars to write books that shaped the course of history. This collection of new essays offers a wide-ranging examination of influential works written--in whole or in part--while their authors were in prison or exile"-- Abstract: Offers a wide-ranging examination of great books written, in whole or in part, while their authors were in prison or exile. Each chapter explores a different text, and contains a short biography of the writer, a summary of the circumstances surrounding their imprisonment, and a critical examination of the book and its legacy. Read more... Many of the world's most important historical figures were imprisoned for holding unpopular or unorthodox beliefs. They used their time behind bars to write books that shaped the course of history. This collection of new essays offers a wide-ranging examination of influential works written--in whole or in part--while their authors were in prison or exile. Each chapter explores a different text and contains a brief biography and summary of the circumstances surrounding the author's imprisonment, along with a critical examination of the writing and its legacy. Authors covered include Plato, Thomas Paine, Gandhi, Thoreau, Bertrand Russell, Hitler and Martin Luther King, Jr. How Much Power Should A Government Have? How Should It Be Exercised And Regulated, And For What Purposes Should It Be Used? These Have Been Important Questions Throughout History--but Dangerous To Ask. Speaking Truth To Power Has Generally Put A Person At Risk, And Some Of The World's Most Well-known Political Figures, Philosophers, And Artists Were Sent To Prison For Doing So. Some Used Their Time Behind Bars To Write Important And Influential Books. Gandhi Has This In Common With Hitler, As Well As With Martin Luther King Jr. And Cervantes. "Many of the world's most important historical figures were imprisoned for holding unpopular or heretical beliefs. Some used their time behind bars to write books that shaped the course of history. This collection of new essays offers a wide-ranging examination of influential works written--in whole or in part--while their authors were in prison or exile"-- Provided by publisher