Best Selling Books by Marie Higgins

Nietzsche''s Zarathustra takes an interdisciplinary approach to Nietzsche''s Thus Spoke Zarathustra, focusing on the philosophical function of its literary techniques and its fictional mode of presentation. It argues that the fictional format is essential to Nietzsche''s philosophical message in his work. Part of that message is Nietzsche''s alternative to the Western worldview as developed by Plato''s dialogues and the Christian Gospel, which he presents through the teachings of his hero, Zarathustra. Another part of that message is that any doctrine, including those of Zarathustra himself, has an ambivalent nature. Although doctrinal formulations are designed to preserve and communicate philosophical insights, they can become dead formulas, out of touch with the live philosophical discoveries that they aimed to capture. Thus Spoke Zarathustra explores Zarathustra''s own vulnerability to this risk, and his way of regaining real connection with living wisdom. The doctrine of eternal recurrence, which is particular prominent in Zarathustra, is a case in point. The doctrine is offered in opposition to the worldview that Nietzsche associates with the Christian doctrine of sin, which in his view promotes a view of this life as devoid of intrinsic value. However, certain ways of adhering to this doctrine themselves rob life of its value. The book also defends the importance of Part IV of Thus Spoke Zarathustra, which many scholars have seen as unimportant by comparison with the first three parts. Nietzsche''s Zarathustra argues that Part III would not have been a culmination for the work, and that Part IV is essential to Nietzsche''s project. Part IV''s allusions to Apuleius'' The Golden Ass, an ancient Menippean satire, suggest that it should be read as a satire in which Zarathustra falls into and recovers from folly. It is thus the culminating statement of the point that there is always a discrepancy between the living philosophical insight and any attempt to articulate it,

"A philosophical exploration of the value of aesthetics in loss and grieving. Loss and grief are destabilizing forces. As a bereaved person grapples with the reality that their loved one is gone and feels only shakily connected to the surrounding world, the tangibility of sensory objects can be grounding. In Aesthetics of Grief and Mourning, philosopher Kathleen Marie Higgins highlights the role of aesthetics in the grieving process, offering a guide for how being attuned to aesthetics can aid those experiencing loss. While some activities associated with loss-such as participation in funerals-are culturally scripted, many others are relatively everyday, including attending to sensory objects, telling stories, reflecting on artworks, experiencing music, and engaging in creative projects. Higgins shows how attending to these aesthetic practices helps those who have experienced loss, and she also sheds light on the importance of aesthetic engagement with the world for individual and community flourishing"--

A lively, accessible, and highly enjoyable tour of the world''s great ideas, this splendid introduction to an intellectual tradition that reaches back over 3,000 years highlights major philosophers from Plato to Simone deBeauvoir.

This book offers a lively and unorthodox analysis of Nietzsche by examining a neglected aspect of his scholarly personality--his sense of humor. While often thought of as ponderous and melancholy, the Nietzsche of Higgins''s study is a surprisingly subtle and light-hearted writer. She presents a close reading of The Gay Science to show how the numerous literary risks that Nietzsche takes reveal humor to be central to his project. Higgins argues that his use of humor is intended to dislodge readers from their usual, somber detachment and to incite imaginative thinking.

"Higgins'' love of music and cultural variety is evident throughout. She writes in a relaxed, accessible, sophisticated style...Highly recommended."— Choice From our first social bonding as infants to the funeral rites that mark our passing, music plays an important role in our lives, bringing us closer to one another. In this book, philosopher Kathleen Marie Higgins investigates this role, examining the features of human perception that enable music''s uncanny ability to provoke—despite its myriad forms across continents and throughout centuries—the sense of a shared human experience. Drawing on disciplines such as philosophy, psychology, musicology, linguistics, and anthropology, Higgins''s richly researched study showcases the ways music is used in rituals, education, work, and healing, and as a source of security and—perhaps most importantly—joy. By participating so integrally in such meaningful facets of society, Higgins argues, music situates itself as one of the most fundamental bridges between people, a truly cross-cultural form of communication that can create solidarity across political divides. Moving beyond the well-worn takes on music''s universality, The Music between Us provides a new understanding of what it means to be musical and, in turn, human. "Those who, like Higgins, deeply love music, actually know something about it, have open minds and ears, and are willing to look beyond the confines of Western aesthetics...will find much to learn in The Music between Us."— Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism

Provides a brief history of Western philosophy and philosophers, and provides information on Eastern philosophy and philosophers in such areas as Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, and Jainism.

Offers guidelines and insights for reading and understanding Nietzsche, the widely read and little understood philosopher.

Romance is ... complicated, but it also can be unexpected and amazing. With a foreword by New York Times bestselling author, Steven Barnes, on his hilarious adventure of landing the perfect woman as his wife, these seven stories in Rom-Complications should bring a little joy, fun and a lot of laughter. ★ Booked and Too Busy by USA Today Bestselling Author Naleighna Kai ★ Hungry for Love by Bestselling Author Traci Finlay ★ A Second Glance by Bestselling Author Ann Clay ★ Accidentally Yours by Award-Winning Author Marie Higgins ★ Anniversary Hell by National Bestselling Author Pat G''Orge-Walker ★ A Fool & His Honey by National Bestselling Author J. L. Campbell ★ Free Range Love by #1 Bestselling Author Darryl Benally ★ Unexpected Love by Debut Author Royce Slade Morton

Pinkerton agent, Dusty Sloan, isn''t just another cowboy who enjoys charming the ladies. He is dedicated to his job, especially when stolen diamonds and a stubborn woman are involved. Can he protect her and find the mystery of the stolen gems, or will his heart get involved? Miss Callie Beckman needs to find her missing brother. Bad men have kidnapped him, and they have threatened her not to involve the law. Yet, how can she shake off the Pinkerton agent who is determined to be her knight in shining armor? If only Dusty''s eyes weren''t so dreamy and his kisses so passionate, maybe she would be able to focus better on finding her brother.

"Introducing Philosophy : A Text with Integrated Readings is a topically organized hybrid textbook, introducing core philosophical problems and the many ways they are, and have been, answered. The authors combine substantial selections from significant works in the history of philosophy with excerpts from current philosophy, clarifying the readings and providing context with their own detailed commentary and explanation. Spanning 2,500 years, the selections range from the oldest known fragments to cutting-edge contemporary essays. The chapters present alternative perspectives-including analytic, continental, feminist, and non-Western viewpoints-alongside the historical works of major Western philosophers; this juxtaposition encourages students to carefully evaluate the theories themselves"--

Kurt Hamill has traded his police detective badge for a small county sheriff''s badge, and he''s living the easy life in Big Sky, Montana. His plan is to keep the heartaches and inadequacies from his past locked away so he doesn''t have to deal with them. But when an old friend from Seattle wants him to stop her daughter from marrying the wrong man, Kurt is sucked into a dangerous roller-coaster ride. If he can''t face his fears, they could all die. Riley Peterson lives a simple life-thanks to the way her wealthy parents sheltered her-but once she meets the gorgeous sheriff, she knows her life will never be the same. Instead of going to the church to get married, she is dodging bullets and running away from the bad guys. The problem is, she''s not too sure who the bad men really are...

This anthology, appropriate for introductory aesthetics and philosophy of art courses, includes comprehensive coverage of traditional material as well as substantial inclusion of contemporary and non-Western readings. Readings from popular culture entice students into the study of aesthetics and motivate them to learn more. The organization of the text is also student-oriented, with chapters that pose such questions as What Is Art? and Should We Focus on Form?