Human Sciences All books
Jacques Gutwirth
The Rebirth of Hasidism, from1945 to the present
In 1945, there were 20,000 Hasidim in the world. Today, there are between 350,000 and 400,000, about half of whom live in Israel. This population explosion cannot be explained simply by demographic reasons. In France alone, it is estimated that there are 10,000 to 15,000 Lubavitch Hasidim, a small but particularly active community. Jacques Gutwirth paints a vivid picture of the major centres of Hasidism - Antwerp, New York, Jerusalem, Bne Brak and Paris. He describes the main aspects of Hasidism today, its spiritual and intellectual contributions, its recent history and the influence it has. Hasidism cannot be reduced simply to a religious conception, a way of expressing one's religion, or a particular lifestyle. Its rapid development is linked to current politics and global economics, to which in turn it also contributes. In this rigorous, balanced study of one of Judaism's most dynamic communities, the author provides solid information to further the discussion on the rise of religious fundamentalism. Jacques Gutwirth is an anthropologist and an honorary research fellow at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS). A pioneer in the field of urban anthropology, he has taught at the University of Provence, in Aix, and at the University René Descartes, in Paris, as well as in Germany and the United States. He is the founder of the laboratory of anthropology at the CNRS. His first book, Vie Juive Traditionnelle, about a Hasidic community in Antwerp, is regarded as a classic. He is also the author of Les Judéo-Chrétiens Aujourd'hui and L'Eglise Electronique: La Saga des Télévangélistes
José Moraïs
Read, write and be free From Literacy to Democracy
The essential, driving role of literacy in the transformation of existing pseudo-democracies into real democracies
Jean-Marc Jancovici
Quiet sleep until 2100 and others Misunderstandings about the Climate, the Economy, Politics and the Environment
A brilliantly striking demonstration of the environment’s central role in the global economy
Michel Rocard
Putting One's Heart into One's Work
In this intellectual and political autobiography, former French Prime Minister Michel Rocard explains the ethical requirements which underlied his every political action. This book provides an uncompromising analysis of French society and politics by examining the economic, cultural and social questions which France poses itself today.
Henri Guaino
Putting an End to the Sacrifice Economy
An important work of economics, of very political economics, to feed reflection and fire debate.
Xavier Fontanet
Pull Together, Everyone! We can succeed and rise again
Through his columns in Les Echos, of which he offers us an enriched and updated selection, Xavier Fontanet finds substantial resonance in the media and among economic and political circles. A fundamentally optimistic book, which considers that everyone — citizen, consumer, entrepreneur — can take control of their destiny and contribute to the collective good.