Bantam Books – Knjiga.hr

The Tao of Physics

Tue, 26 May 2026 18:08:15 +0000

A pioneering work of popular science, this book explores the striking parallels between modern physics and Eastern mystical traditions such as Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism. Drawing on developments in quantum theory and relativity, the author—himself a trained physicist and systems theorist—argues that the emerging worldview of contemporary physics resonates with ancient spiritual insights about the interconnected and dynamic nature of reality. Written for general readers, it blends scientific explanation with philosophical reflection, inviting a holistic understanding of science and spirituality. Both an intellectual history and a cultural touchstone of the late twentieth century, it will appeal to readers interested in physics, comparative religion, and the dialogue between science and mysticism.

I Ching

Tue, 26 May 2026 18:07:13 +0000

This accessible interpretation of the ancient Chinese Book of Changes presents the I Ching as a practical oracle and guide to self-understanding. Sam Reifler offers a modern translation and commentary designed to make the text usable for contemporary readers, emphasizing clarity and directness over traditional Confucian moral framing. He explores the symbolic language of the hexagrams, explaining how they can illuminate personal dilemmas, decision-making, and patterns of change. Written for both beginners and experienced students of the I Ching, the book blends scholarship with hands-on guidance in consulting the oracle. It will appeal to readers interested in Eastern philosophy, divination, and tools for reflection and insight.

Wheels

Tue, 26 May 2026 18:06:58 +0000

A fast-paced novel set in the high-stakes world of the American automobile industry, this story follows executives, engineers, and their families as they navigate corporate power struggles, labor tensions, product safety concerns, and shifting consumer demands. Centered in Detroit during a time of fierce competition and social change, it offers a detailed look at how cars are conceived, built, and brought to market—along with the personal ambitions and moral dilemmas that drive the people behind the machines. The author, known for meticulously researched bestsellers such as *Airport* and *Hotel*, brings the same documentary realism and sweeping narrative style here. Readers interested in business drama, industrial history, and character-driven storytelling will find much to enjoy.

The Greening of America

Tue, 26 May 2026 18:06:53 +0000

A landmark of the counterculture era, this provocative work argues that America was undergoing a profound cultural transformation in the late 1960s. Written by a Yale law professor, it explores the rise of a new social awareness—what the author calls “Consciousness III”—emerging in response to the bureaucratic, corporate structures that dominated mid‑century life. Blending legal insight, social criticism, and personal reflection, the book examines generational conflict, individual freedom, consumer culture, and the possibility of a more humane society. Both a product of its time and a vivid window into it, this influential and controversial study will interest readers curious about the intellectual roots of the 1960s counterculture and debates over freedom, authority, and social change in modern America.

Rats, Lice and History

Mon, 25 May 2026 18:16:06 +0000

A lively and wide-ranging exploration of the role epidemic disease has played in shaping human history, this classic work focuses especially on typhus and the tiny parasites that spread it. Written by a Harvard bacteriologist and noted medical historian, the book blends scientific explanation with storytelling, tracing how wars, revolutions, and social upheavals were influenced—sometimes decided—by outbreaks of infection. With wit and clarity, it examines the interplay between microbes, human behavior, and historical change, while also illuminating the development of modern bacteriology. Both informative and entertaining, it will appeal to readers interested in medical history, epidemiology, and the hidden biological forces that have shaped civilization.

The Moneychangers

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:53:49 +0000

A fast-paced novel set in the high-stakes world of international banking, this story follows rival executives at a major American bank as they compete for power, profit, and survival in a rapidly changing financial landscape. Corporate intrigue, risky loans, mergers, and ethical dilemmas drive the narrative, revealing how personal ambition and private lives intersect with public responsibility. Arthur Hailey, renowned for his meticulously researched bestsellers such as *Airport* and *Hotel*, brings the complex machinery of the banking industry vividly to life. Blending suspense with detailed insight into how large institutions operate, this novel will appeal to readers who enjoy intelligent drama, behind-the-scenes realism, and morally charged conflicts set in the modern corporate world.

Magister Ludi

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:53:28 +0000

Set in a future society devoted to intellectual and spiritual refinement, this novel follows Josef Knecht, who rises through the elite scholarly order of Castalia to become Magister Ludi, or Master of the Glass Bead Game—a complex synthesis of music, mathematics, and philosophy. As Knecht advances, he begins to question the separation of contemplative life from the practical world beyond Castalia’s borders. Written by the Nobel Prize–winning German-Swiss novelist, the book is both a coming-of-age story and a profound meditation on knowledge, education, spirituality, and the tension between intellect and lived experience. Elegant and thought-provoking, it will appeal to readers drawn to philosophical fiction, utopian speculation, and explorations of the role of the individual within highly ordered societies.

The Greatest Salesman in the World

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:29:53 +0000

A timeless motivational classic presented as a parable, this short, inspiring book follows the journey of a poor camel boy who rises to success after receiving a series of ancient scrolls containing principles for achievement. Through simple yet powerful lessons on persistence, love, self-discipline, goal-setting, and the formation of good habits, the story outlines a philosophy of personal and professional success rooted in character and daily practice. Written by Og Mandino, one of the most influential voices in 20th-century inspirational literature, the book blends storytelling with practical wisdom. Its concise, uplifting message has resonated with readers in sales, business, and personal development for decades, making it an encouraging read for anyone seeking motivation and direction.

The Short Reign of Pippin IV

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 19:03:20 +0000

A late, playful satire by the Nobel Prize–winning author of *The Grapes of Wrath*, this novel imagines a modern France that, weary of political instability, restores its monarchy and plucks an obscure descendant to become king. The mild-mannered new ruler soon finds himself a pawn of politicians, industrial interests, and international pressures, as tradition collides with media spectacle and Cold War realities. With wit and irony, the story explores power, nationalism, public opinion, and the uneasy fit between idealism and authority. Both light in tone and sharp in observation, it offers an unusual glimpse of its author’s comic side while retaining his keen eye for human folly and political absurdity.

Azazel

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:58:20 +0000

This volume continues the lighthearted fantasy adventures of a mild-mannered narrator and his acquaintance George, who claims to command a two-centimeter-tall demon named Azazel. Whenever George calls upon Azazel to grant small favors for friends and strangers, the results are technically successful—but almost always ironic, unexpected, and comically disastrous. Through these witty episodes, the stories explore human vanity, good intentions gone awry, and the perils of trying to improve upon fate. Best known for his influential science fiction, including the Foundation and Robot series, Isaac Asimov here displays his flair for humor and sharp social observation. These tales will appeal to readers who enjoy clever, gently satirical fantasy with a mischievous twist.