Books matching: moral and ethical dilemmas
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- #1
In the turbulent aftermath of the crucifixion of Jesus, agents of the Roman Empire receive information about a pilgrim bearing an incendiary letter from a religious fanatic calling himself Paul the Apostle to insurrectionists in Corinth. The Romans hire a former legionary, a solitary man at arms named Telamon to intercept the letter and destroy the courier. Telamon experiences an extraordinary conversion upon meeting the courier, Michael the Nazarene, and instead of carrying out the mission, takes on an Empire. The book delves into the historical setting of AD 55 in Judea, exploring themes of religion, morality, and loyalty amidst political turmoil.
The writing style of 'A Man at Arms' has been described as a mix of thriller and historical elements, delivering a compelling adventure story with a devastating emotional and spiritual impact. Steven Pressfield skillfully deploys his knowledge of the ancient world, creating a narrative that taps into archetypes of the timeless monomyth while remaining relatable and relevant to readers.
- #2
"Mercy" by Jodi Picoult revolves around the lives of Cameron and Allie MacDonald in the small village of Wheelock, Massachusetts. Set in a town rich in Scottish history, the story delves into the complexities of love, marriage, and moral dilemmas. The plot unfolds with unexpected events that lead the characters down a path of questions, desires, and challenges. From the act of mercy committed by Jamie MacDonald towards his cancer-stricken wife to the introduction of Mia, a new character who disrupts Cam and Allie's marriage, the book explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and forgiveness in a thought-provoking manner. Picoult's writing style is described as informative, compelling, and poetic, with a focus on character development and controversial topics that engage readers' minds.
For a long while they sat side by side, staring out a streaked window at a town neither of them knew very well. He watched her breathing pattern in the reflection of the glass, and tried to slow his o... - #3
Invasive Procedures by Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston is a techno thriller centered around a renegade geneticist, George Galen, who aims to manipulate human DNA to create a new strain of humanity under his control. The plot involves a Biohazard Agency agent who must stop Galen's plans from coming to fruition. The book delves into themes of genetic engineering, biological warfare, and the moral implications of manipulating DNA. The writing style is described as fast-paced, engaging, and reminiscent of a medical thriller with elements of science fiction.
Dolores never met a Healer she didn’t like until the night they took her away. It happened at the playground on Santa Monica Beach at about two o’clock in the morning. Dolores slept in the metal tube ... - #4
'The Custom Of The Sea' by Neil Hanson is a gripping account of the ill-fated voyage of the 'Mignonette' and the subsequent trial of the sailors involved in cannibalism for survival. The book delves into the horrifying events that transpired at sea, the flawed judicial system in England during the 19th century, and the moral dilemmas faced by the men involved. The narrative weaves together historical descriptions, legal complexities, and personal accounts to paint a vivid picture of the custom of the sea and its repercussions.
The author, Neil Hanson, skillfully combines meticulous research with storytelling to present a compelling and tragic story of human survival, sacrifice, and the consequences of desperate actions. Through detailed accounts of the events leading up to and following the infamous case of R v Dudley and Stephens, Hanson sheds light on the complexities of the custom of the sea, the legal implications of cannibalism, and the moral ambiguity surrounding the sailors' actions. The book offers a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition in extreme circumstances and the impact of societal norms on individual decisions.
- #5
Idylls of the King by Alfred Tennyson is a Victorian era take on the Arthurian legends in poetic form. The book comprises various poems that delve into the rise and fall of King Arthur, exploring themes of passion, tragedy, and Romanticism. Tennyson's work is described as more 'fantastic' than traditional Arthurian literature, with awe-inspiring descriptions of Camelot and a focus on the emotional arc of the fall of Camelot. The book includes character studies of women and an allegorical tale surrounding the figure of Arthur himself, depicting a struggle between sense and spirit, ideals and nature.
Recent material is listed in F. E. Faverty, ed. The Victorian Poets: A Guide to Research, Harvard, 1968, and in the annual bibliographies of studies in Victorian literature in the MLA International Bi... - #6
'Underpowered Howard' by John L Monk is a modern fantasy LitRPG adventure novel that follows the story of Howard, a Quantum Computer Programmer who has retired to the broken VRMMORPG world of Mythian. Howard sets out to fix the bugs in the game by breaking it so thoroughly that the Admins are forced to implement his patches. Along the way, he faces off against ancient evil, gods of Mythian, and navigates the complexities of the game world to achieve his goal. The writing style combines modern idioms with magical attacks and game exploits, creating an engrossing story that delves into philosophical, moral, and ethical dilemmas via a virtual experience.
- #7
"Tower of Glass" by Robert Silverberg revolves around Simeon Krug, a visionary inventor who creates synthetic humans to build a giant glass tower to communicate with aliens. The story delves into themes of power, religion, and the nature of humanity, as the androids created by Krug begin to develop their own society and question their purpose and beliefs. The writing style of the book is described as skillfully crafted, thought-provoking, and exploring timeless human problems through the lens of science fiction.
Look, Simeon Krug wanted to say, a billion years ago there wasn’t even any man, there was only a fish. A slippery thing with gills and scales and little round eyes. He lived in the ocean, and the ocea... - #8
Destination: Void by Frank Herbert is a dense science fiction novel that delves into the creation of artificial consciousness. Set on an interstellar ship bound for Tau Ceti, the story follows a crew faced with the challenge of turning the ship's computer into a conscious entity after the organic brains controlling it perish. The plot intertwines technical problems, philosophical musings on consciousness, and hidden agendas among the crew members, leading to a complex narrative that explores the nature of identity and intelligence. The writing style is characterized by extensive technobabble, lofty dialogues on consciousness, and a mix of intriguing concepts and challenging prose that can be both thought-provoking and frustrating for readers.
The Chase has fascinated humankind from the beginning, and with good reason. What many failed to understand, however, was that there could be the excitement of the chase even where the only thing you ... - #9
'What It is Like to Go to War' by Karl Marlantes is a profound reflection on the author's experiences as a Marine in Vietnam and the aftermath of war. The book delves into the emotional and spiritual toll of combat, highlighting the lack of preparation and support for soldiers in handling the horrors of war and transitioning back to civilian life. Marlantes shares riveting stories from his time as an officer, coupled with insightful analyses of society's perception of war and its impact on individuals. The writing style blends personal anecdotes with philosophical reflections, urging readers to contemplate the complexities of warfare and its lasting effects on those who serve.
Warriors deal with death. They take life away from others. This is normally the role of God. Asking young warriors to take on that role without adequate psychological and spiritual preparation can lea... - #10
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead is a powerful and poignant novel set in the Jim Crow South during the Civil Rights movement. The story follows Elwood Curtis, a black teenager who gets mistakenly arrested and sent to a reform school in Florida in the 1960s. Based on real events, the book delves into the injustices and mistreatment faced by Elwood and his friend Turner at the Nickel Academy, a place where racism, cruelty, and corruption thrive. Through well-crafted characters and a gripping plot, the author sheds light on the resilience and hope displayed by the characters amidst the harrowing mistreatment they endure.
The writing style of Colson Whitehead in The Nickel Boys is described as excellent, engaging, and evocative. Readers praise the author for his ability to tackle difficult topics like racism, abuse, and the broken criminal justice system with sensitivity and honesty. The book is commended for its compelling narrative that is based on real events but avoids graphic details, making it a worthwhile and enlightening read that leaves a lasting impact on the reader.
Elwood received the best gift of his life on Christmas Day 1962, even if the ideas it put in his head were his undoing. Martin Luther King at Zion Hill was the only album he owned and it never left th...