Book Description
"Solovyov's book, I would dare say, IS the philosophy of love. Solovyov's arguments are engaging, to say the least: engaging the intellect, but also the depths of the reader's being. You can't say that about many books. The highest praise I can offer is that The Meaning of Love is the only modern book I know of that is worthy of its subject in every respect."-David Fiedler, Gnosis Magazine"The meaning and worth of love as a feeling is that it really forces us, with all our being, to acknowledge for another the same absolute significance that, because of the power of egoism, we are conscious of only in our own selves. Love is important, not only as one of our feelings but as the transfer of all our interest in life from ourselves to another, as the shifting of the very center of our lives.... ""The meaning of human love, speaking generally, is the justification and salvation of individuality through the sacrifice of egoism. On this general basis we can also ... explain the meaning of sexual love" (Vladimir Solovyov) What is the meaning of love's intense emotion? Solovyov points to the spark of divinity that we see in another human being and shows how this "living ideal of Divine love, antecedent to our love, contains in itself the secret of the idealization of our love." According to Solovyov, love between men and women has a key role to play in the mystical transfiguration of the world. Love, which allows one person to find unconditional completion in another, becomes an evolutionary strategy for overcoming cosmic disintegration. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A MUST READ!!!
This book is an excellent read for anyone even remotely interested in Russian thought, Eastern Orthodoxy, metaphysics, sexual love, and pretty much a host of other topics.Soloviev, a brilliant Russian Orthodox philosopher of the late 19th century, covers a lot of ground in this little book.Love is held up as the shatterer of egoism and the means by which an individual becomes a microcosm of the "all-unity" of the cosmos, uniting all the elements of the world together within himself, and thereby becoming an absolutely unique, absolutely valuable individual who transcends the laws of nature and overcomes death and decay.

For anyone who suspects that love is about more than just mutual affection, more than just economics, more than just childbearing--that love is intimately connected to the fundamental truth of all being--then this book simply cannot be passed up.Even if you end up not agreeing with its conclusions (which are admittedly extremely foreign to Western mindsets), you'll nevertheless be moved by the beautiful vision of love and metaphysics that Soloviev presents.

Solovyov, transference and the Grail search.
If you are searching for the Grail in the mystical experience of love and the transference, this is the book for you.The title says it all. Solovyov explores and uncovers the reason there is such archetypal emotional power in love even though the divine, cosmic source is not consciously recognized and understood. It is the failure to recognize the source behind the emotion which results in such tragic disillusion and despair. Finding the true source can be - should be life transforming. ... Read more

Book Description
Vladimir S. Soloviev (1853-1900), moral philosopher, social and literary critic, theologian, and poet, is considered one of Russia's greatest philosophers. But Soloviev is relatively unknown in the West, despite his close association with Fyodor Dostoevsky, who modeled one of his most famous literary characters, Alyosha Karamazov, on Soloviev. In "The Heart of Reality", Vladimir Wozniuk offers a lucid translation, careful annotations, and a substantive introduction that make many of Soloviev's writings accessible for the first time to an English-speaking audience.

Soloviev worked tirelessly in the name of the mystical body of the Universal Church. The vast bulk of his writings can be construed as promoting, in one way or another, the cause of ecumenism. His essays also display the influence of Platonic and German Idealism and strands of Thomistic thinking. Wozniuk demonstrates the consistency of Soloviev's biblically-based thought on the subjects of aesthetics, love, and ethics, while at the same time clarifying Soloviev's concept of "vseedinstvo" (the unity of spiritual and material), especially as applied to literature.

Containing many previously untranslated essays, "The Heart of Reality" situates Soloviev more clearly in the mainstream of Western religious philosophy and Christian thought. ... Read more

Book Description
This original translation of a key prophetic and apocalyptic work, written by Russia's greatest philosopher at the end of the nineteenth century, characterizes in bold strokes and with astonishing prescience the challenges that mankind faces as 'progress' races to bring history to an end, calling us to vigilance and resistance to evil. The passing of more than a century since it was first written has not caused this remarkable text to lose any of its lustre; indeed, it is more relevant today than when it was first penned. Solovyov describes three main trends of his (and our) time: economic materialism, Tolstoyan abstract moralism, and the kind of hubris that has grown so rampant in contemporary society. For him, over a century ago, the first was all too present, and about to explode in the rise of the Communist State. A hollow moralism, or a 'meaning' with no core, was beginning to develop and would soon replace almost all vestiges of traditional values. As for hubris, greed, and evil well-disguised as good, this is the touchstone of society at the turn of the twentieth to the twenty-first century, and is precisely what Solovyov describes as the apocalyptic precursor of the Antichrist. Vladimir Solovyov (1853-1900), one of the greatest philosophers of the nineteenth century. He helped establish a rich tradition of Russian spirituality, inspiring a whole generation of thinkers, who followed his many-faceted spirit into diverse realms, bringing together philosophy, mysticism, theology, poetry, and powerful visionary experience with a trenchant social message. Solovyov was also a prophet, having been granted three visions of Sophia, Divine Wisdom. ... Read more

Book Description
Foreword by David Bentley Hart

After passing through atheism, nihilism, and sundry visions of life offered by Continental philosophy, Vladimir Solovyov emerged as a Christian thinker of irrepressible conviction and uncommon genius. "The Justification of the Good," one of Solovyov's last and most mature works, presents a profound argument for human morality based on the active presence of God's goodness in the world.

In the first part of the book Solovyov explores humanity's inner virtues, weaving his moral philosophy with threads drawn from Orthodox theology. In the second part Solovyov discusses the practical implications of his views, showing how Christian goodness ought to express itself in such areas as marriage, property, government, economics, and culture. This edition of "The Justification of the Good" reproduces the English edition of 1918 and is the only new publication of this work since that date. The book includes a bibliography, compiled by esteemed scholar Boris Jakim, of Solovyov's major philosophical and religious works. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book!
This book is not a new translation, but it does have a foreword by the esteemed Orthodox theologian David Bentley Hart and extensive notes by the translator Boris Jakim (who has also translated works by Pavel Florensky and Sergius Bulgakov).The range of subjects studied by Solovyov in this book are numerous.He talks about shame, just war, and morality.A definite must-read for those interested in Modern Orthodox Theology or Russian Philosophy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Zhirinovsky, the Russian Vozhd.
The authors detail the rise of LDP candidate Vladmir Zhirinovsky and the fascist movement he heads.The authors detail the rise of this lawyer through the Russian publishing company MIR and his proposed contacts with the KGB.They also explore Zhirinovsky's Jewishness and his early life in the Kazazh capital.

Zhirinovsky does represent a frightening aspect in the Russian political landscape.His proposed nationalist focus would roll the boundaries of Russia back two centuries with the inclusion of Finland, Poland, and Alaska.Even though Zhironovsky is half Russian/half Jewish, he would force the Russian element in the forefront of leadership in the near abroad.He would have Russian soldiers washing their boots in the Persian Gulf/Indian Ocean.

The authors focus one chapter on Zhir's outrageous comments and his buffonery.This is a man wanting attention, and he is ready to say anything to get this.If he ever attains power, he would be a dangerous man.The authors detail that the LDP is just a instrument in Zhirinovsky's plans to attain the leadership of the Russian Federation.

This a book about a scary man.One may quibble that Putin is not a democrat, but this man is just so much worse.He is the scary face of Russian nationalism.

Vladimir Zhirinovsky:Russian Vozhd' of the LDP.
With the breakdown of the Soviet Union in a post Cold War era and the subsequent liberalization of the Russian economy, a precarious political situation has developed within Russia which may prove ripe for opportunists.One such opportunist is the ultra-nationalist maverick Vladimir Zhirinovsky, a man known for both his outlandish rhetoric, populist-nationalist outlook, and anti-Semitism.Zhirinovsky stands as head (vozhd') of the misnamed Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), an ultra-nationalist whose political stance remains a pile of contradictions.Zhirnovsky who is of Jewish ancestry (on his father's side) spews a virulently nationalist concoction of political ideology and remains staunchly anti-Zionist and anti-Jewish as well as anti-American.Zhirinovsky has called for the Russian annexation of Finland, the extension of the Russian border to the edge of Germany (meeting with German ultra-rightists) including the annexation of Poland, the annexation of the Kurile Islands from Japan, the return of Alaska to Russia, and in general the restoration of the original Russian borders of 1913.At the same time, Zhirinovsky has announced Russian solidarity with various Islamic extremists, the Iraq of Saddam Hussein, and the Serbian nationalist Slobodan Milosevich.Zhirinovsky's politics combine remnants from the conservative elements of the old Soviet bureaucracy as well as the Soviet military, Russian nationalists, European ultra-rightists, and various disaffected individuals within Russian society (including outcastes, the "Lumpen") who have been marginalized by the coming liberalization of the Russian economy.Perhaps Zhirinovsky's relationship to these people can be explained by his own position as social outcaste throughout most of his life.During his youth Zhirinovsky lived in extreme poverty, his mother having to remarry, and upon attending university where he studied Turkish language he was frequently in conflict with the Communist Party, where he was labelled a "political activist" and "psychologically disordered".Oddly, Zhirinovsky has enjoyed some success, including a widespread popularity and populist appeal, gaining leadership of the LDP, as well as coming in third behind Yeltsin and Ryzhnov in the general election.What is particularly disturbing for Americans is that Zhirinovsky would have access to the nuclear weapons arsenal of the former Soviet Union which he has promised to use.In addition, Zhirinovsky's relationship to the KGB remains problematic - while some have argued that he was labelled as an enemy by the KGB others believe that in fact he was an agent of this bureaucratic police force.Zhirinovsky's life has frequently been challenged and certain individuals have called for his assassination.However, as the authors of this book argue, should Zhirinovsky be assassinated certainly another (perhaps even more extreme than he) would rise to take his place.In the press, Zhirinovsky has been compared frequently to Hitler and been called a "fascist" (a term virtually without meaning given its chronic abuse); however, he has successfully sued those who use this epithet to describe him, despite his stated admiration for certain parts of Hitler's regime.At times Zhirinovsky has resorted to racialist doctrines (popular among the right wing of his own LDP party), including his proclamation that only blonde haired and blue eyed Russians would appear on national television.Zhirinovsky remains a difficult figure to understand, representing perhaps a red-brown alliance within Russian politics.However, among the radical right and Russian ultra-nationalists Zhirinovsky's rhetoric remains relatively mild, as compared for example to that of certain individuals within Pamyat (meaning "memory") or others who call for outright pogroms.Indeed, most of those on the radical right regard Zhirinovsky as a Zionist agent, especially given his Jewish background which he has frequently tried to cover up.The authors state that perhaps only the anti-Semitism native to the Russian people will prevent Zhirinovsky from gaining power.This book provides an interesting review of Zhirinovsky's life and politics although at times it may appear overly alarmist.

For further reading on the Russian radical right:_The Black Hundreds_ by Walter Laqueur.

Interesting but outdated
This book describes the sudden ascendancy of the Russian `Fascist' Vladimir Zhironovsky.This Russian leader emerged after the fall of gorbachev and his star rose quickly.In subsequent Duma elections his right wing nationalistic party gained a good following and many in the west feared that Russia would become a right wing reactionary state.But Zhironovsky's brand of politics quickly faded and this books outdated analysis shows through.Zhironovsky was best known for a stunt in which he arrived at the Duma dressed in an army uniform, conjuring up images of Hitler, Mussulini and Franco who had done the same.Yet other scandals followed as Zhirinovsky's ties to Saddam Hussien came to light and his denial of his Jewish heritage also hurt him among his many anti-Semitic followers.In the end Zhirinovsky is an interesting personae but he is not the rising hobgoblin portrayed in this book.

Russian Fascism:Mad Vlad Edelstein
_Zhirinovsky: Russian Fascism and the Making of a Dictator_ is an interesting account of a radical politician who emerged with a popular mass following during the collapse of Communism in the Soviet Union.Zhirinovsky's platform was to make Russia into a renewed super-power and with its pre-1917 borders, even including Alaska.He also promoted a strong, totalitarian government and used mass appeals to the base instincts of the people, offering cheaper products and comparing former Soviet regimes to sexual problems (Lenin raping Russia, Stalinist homosexual jealousy and Kruschev's self-satisfied masturbation).Zhirinovsky appealed to nationalist elements in the Russian population who were upset by Russia's loss of prestige on the international scene, the Russians living in the former Soviet Republics and by rampant inflation and economic distress.He tries to cultivate an image of himself as a powerful father figure governing the "Liberal Democratic Party" who will look out for Russia's best interest if everyone submits to his rule.A number of his statements were openly anti-Jewish, blaming them for Russia's troubles and playing on fears that Russia will be taken over by Western capitalist interests.The authors, Solovyov (Jewish) and his wife Klepikova (Russian), have written a considerable amount of books on Russia and have lived in exile in New York since the 1970s.What is interesting is that Zhirinovsky, despite his far-right posturing, is of Jewish extraction.His father was Wolf Edelstein, a Polish Jew, while his mother was a Russian woman whose last name he adopted, Zhirinovsky.It is apparent that "Zhirinovsky" has been on the payroll of the KGB who used him for various spying missions (unsuccessfully) in Turkey.He was also given an invitation to immigrate to Israel because of his Jewish heritage.The authors note that Zhirinovsky is basically an actor who may not even believe what he preaches to the masses: a Russian revival.He does not have any connection to the Orthodox Church or any other of the elements of traditional Russian culture, but rather a "cosmopolitan."Hopefully a true nationalist movement will arise in Russia or elsewhere, but not one like "Mad Vlad's" threatening to dump nuclear waste on Estonia, causing more trouble and dissention than he is trying to solve.In all, an interesting book on a strange character in Russia, but with some odd digressions into psychoanalysis. ... Read more

Book Description
This digital document, covering the life and work of Vladimir Solovyov, is an entry from Contemporary Authors, a reference volume published by Thompson Gale. The length of the entry is 1237 words. The page length listed above is based on a typical 300-word page. Although the exact content of each entry from this volume can vary, typical entries include the following information:

• Place and date of birth and death (if deceased)
• Family members
• Education
• Professional associations and honors
• Employment
• Writings, including books and periodicals
• A description of the author's work
• References to further readings about the author

Book Description
Solovyov's memoir of his sexual (and mystical) awakening, supplemented by selected letters to his first love Ekaterina Romanova. Together these texts provide an eloquent introduction to Solovyov's erotic philosophy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Solovyev On Love--Sort Of...
This story, roughly contemporaneous with "Three Meetings," the last, and longest of Solovyev's "Sophia" poems, is a sort of prose Fourth Meeting. Ostensibly a typical late 19th Century tale of an encounter between a young man and a lady travelling unaccompanied on a train, it is, ofcourse, so much more. Solovyev's mystically-oriented vision of everyday life is the sort of thing that will either appeal to readers or leave them cold.
The story is accompanied by a selection of letters from Solovyev to his cousin Ekaterina Romanova. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Fascinating "platonic" dialogue treating human progress...
Solovyov's "Three Conversations" is a fascinating inquiry in the form of a platonic dialogue examining the nature of war and human progress. The initial subject for examination is more or less as follows: given the nature of man, is war an inevitable (a necessary, or even good) factor of history, or will humanity progress beyond the need of war?

Like a typical platonic dialogue, Solovyov too ends his work with a "mythos", an account of the Anti-Christ. The most intriguing part of the work, it is a story of the final conflict between Good and Evil. In some ways, it is the counterpoint to Dostoevsky's "The Grand Inquisitor".

A rich, thought-provoking book that is also a delight to read, I highly recommend Solovyov's "War, Progress and the End of History".

Fascinating "platonic" dialogue treating human progress...
Solovyov's "Three Conversations" is a fascinating inquiry in the form of a platonic dialogue examining the nature of war and human progress. The initial subject for examination is more or less as follows: given the nature of man, is war an inevitable (a necessary, or even good) factor of history, or will humanity progress beyond the need of war?

Like a typical platonic dialogue, Solovyov too ends his work with a "mythos", an account of the Anti-Christ.The most intriguing part of the work, it is a story of the final conflict between Good and Evil. In some ways, it is the counterpoint to Dostoevsky's "The Grand Inquisitor".

A rich, thought-provoking book that is also a delight to read, I highly recommend Solovyov's "War, Progress and the End of History".

Fascinating "platonic" dialogue treating human progress...
Solovyov's "Three Conversations" is a fascinating inquiry in the form of a platonic dialogue examining the nature of war and human progress.The initial subject for examination is more or less as follows:given the nature of man, is war an inevitable (a necessary, or even good) factor of history, or will humanity progress beyond the need of war?

Like a typical platonic dialogue, Solovyov too ends his work with a "mythos", an account of the Anti-Christ.The most intriguing part of the work, it is a story of the final conflict between Good and Evil.In some ways, it is the counterpoint to Dostoevsky's "The Grand Inquisitor".

A rich, thought-provoking book that is also a delight to read, I highly recommend Solovyov's "War, Progress and the End of History". ... Read more

Book Description
Less known in the anglophone world than Berdyaev (who was a pupil of his), or Martin Buber, Vladimir Solovyov (1853-1900), philosopher, mystic, poet, has nevertheless a contribution of the first importance to offer to Western scholarship. He came from a rich and not yet fully understood tradition; his erudition was stupendous. Like his predecessors he was extremely sensitive to such problems as the religious meaning of history, of creativity, of culture. It is important to emphasize a general link between Solovyov and preceding currents of Russian thought, for his Christian philosophy in a sense embraces them all. Dostoyevsky and Leo Tolstoy sat at his feet. Godmanhood is the problem of restoring all mankind; it is a concept of salvation as a process of becoming divine. The differences between the Orthodox, Roman, and Anglo-Catholic and many of the Protestant Churches are not found in relation to the great dogmas or articles of the creed. Solovyov has a vital and unique message to Christians of all denominations; he offers a basis for reunion rarely suggested in Western Christianity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

wonderful
Amazing insight to the soviet era government that can only be offered by russian citizens! ... Read more