2
The Third
Chimpanzee (for
young people)
Jared Diamond
Oneworld Books • 978 1 7807 4748 4
Pulitzer Prize-winner Diamond presents
in this fine and stimulating book an
overview of how the human animal
has risen from a rough equality with
our fellow great apes to become the
primary species of the planet. In a
sweeping assessment of how we got
to be who we are today, Diamond also
looks at what we are doing that doesn't
work (any more) and what changes are
needed for the species to make it to
the next level of our ongoing evolution.
Excellent and scientifically sound, this
one is for those who wish to see the
bigger picture through a well-educated
scientist's eyes.
7 Letters & 7 Years
and Stand
Mandisa Mndela
Jacana Media • 978 1 4314 2223 4 &
978 1 4314 2222 7
'We rejoice in our suffering because
we know that suffering produces
perseverance, perseverance produces
faith and faith never fails us.' This, in
summary is the philosophy of this local
woman. She has turned adversity and
hardship into the triumph of the spirit.
In these two autobiographical books,
she explains how she has journeyed
through hard times to a deeper
understand of herself, and therefore
her fellow humans and of the universe
in which we find ourselves. Excellent
for a refreshing take on dealing with
our troubles in a way that makes us
stronger and better people.
The Greatness
in You
Seanaphoka Tsapi
Reach Publishers • 978 0 8697 0775 3
The author says this book has been
written with the sole objective to
inspire, motivate, encourage and
empower you to reach your optimum
potential while discovering the
unlimited possibilities of your life.
Described as 'an unconventionally
classic self-help book', the subtitle is:
'How unleashing your infinite potential
unlocks infinite possibilities for you.'
While there are few hyperboles thrown
in there, the book does indeed set out
to achieve what the author intends. As
with all such self-help literature, the
end result, however, depends much
more on the application of these and
other known ways to develop yourself
than it does on the strategies and
methodologies described. But this one
might be just the one that resonates
for you.
Hey! Who Am I
Really? Conversations
on the Nature of Life
and Reality
Yacoob Moosa
Self Published with Reach Publishing
978 0 6206 5209 4
Written as a Socratic dialogue between
the lead character, Ahmed, a young
university student, and, for the most
part, his father, this book is set within
the context of Islam and tries to
use the Koran's spiritual teaching to
frame today's world, as seen through
a younger person's eyes. It's an
excellently novel way of conveying
to both non-Muslims and practicing
Muslims much of the deep wisdom of
those teachings, using original Arabic
script with translations thereof to make
the vital points along the way. A fresh
take on the universe and its maker,
with a distinctly modern spin but firmly
based in Islamic tradition. This one
is also an excellent way for those not
versed in the Koran to get to grips
with the elements of that faith little
mentioned by the maniac mullahs who
want to revert 1 000 years to a time of
Crusaders and Infidels invading their
holy places.
We have TWO copies of Hey!
Who am I Really? to give
away. Simply send your full
contact details to silke@
odysseymagazine.co.za to
stand a chance of winning.
ODYSSEY 85
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DIGIMAG