The Magic Mountain is a novel by Thomas Mann, first published in German in November 1924. It is widely considered to be one of the most influential works of twentieth-century German literature.Mann started writing what was to become The Magic Mountain in 1912. It began as a much shorter narrative which revisited in a comic manner aspects of Death in Venice, a novella that he was preparing for publication. The newer work reflected his experiences and impressions during a period when ...

Hermann Hesse’s works have captivated readers for generations, exploring the depths of self-discovery, existential longing, and the search for meaning. The Hermann Hesse Collection, published by Steppenwolf Press, brings together six of his most profound and influential works, offering a sweeping journey through his literary and philosophical vision. From the passionate struggles of the artist to the mystical quest for enlightenment, this collection is a testament to Hesse...

Discover the enduring wisdom of Stoicism with The Epictetus Collection, a beautifully curated compilation of three foundational works: The Discourses, The Enchiridion, and Fragments. This essential volume from Steppenwolf Press offers readers a timeless guide to navigating life with resilience, clarity, and virtue.Epictetus, a former slave who rose to prominence as a profound philosopher, crafted teachings that continue to ...

The Book of the Law is a work that defies easy explanation, a mesmerizing text that blurs the line between poetry, prophecy, and esoteric revelation. Written in 1904 by the enigmatic Aleister Crowley, this book claims to channel the voice of Aiwass, a higher intelligence imparting the philosophy of Thelema. At its heart is the bold and provocative declaration: "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law," a mantra that calls for profound self-discovery, unshakable authenticit...

The Enlightenment included a range of ideas centered on the sovereignty of reason and the evidence of the senses as the primary sources of knowledge and advanced ideals such as liberty, progress, toleration, fraternity, constitutional government and separation of church and state. In France, the central doctrines of the Enlightenment philosophers were individual liberty and religious tolerance, in opposition to an absolute monarchy and the fixed dogmas of the Roman Catholic Church. The Enl...

Steppenwolf Press presents Johan Huizinga’s The Waning of the Middle Ages, a seminal exploration of the cultural and intellectual life of late medieval Europe. With unparalleled insight and eloquence, Huizinga transports readers to the twilight of the Middle Ages, where the vivid pageantry of chivalry and courtly life begins to give way to the complexities of modernity.Drawing on art, literature, and historical records, Huizinga examines the vibrant yet often contradictory ...

Diary of a Drug Fiend is widely thought to be based upon Crowley's own drug experiences, despite being written as a fiction. This seems almost conclusively confirmed by Crowley's statement in the novel's preface: "This is a true story. It has been rewritten only so far as was necessary to conceal personalities." Crowley's own recreational drug use and also his personal struggle with drug addiction, particularly heroin, is well documented. Crowley made a study of drugs and their effects upo...

Explore the transformative works of René Descartes, the philosopher and mathematician who forever changed the way we understand the world. The René Descartes Collection weaves together his most influential writings, providing a seamless narrative of his revolutionary ideas.Rules for the Direction of the Mind introduces Descartes’ early vision for rational inquiry. Though unfinished, this treatise outlines his disciplined approach to logical thinking...

Ludwig Wittgenstein’s Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus is not just a book—it’s an intellectual revolution. Written with unmatched clarity and precision, this seminal work challenges everything we think we know about language, logic, and reality itself. With each page, Wittgenstein pulls back the curtain on the hidden structures of our thoughts, offering a view of the world that is as startling as it is profound.In this groundbreaking text, Wittgenstein lays bare the intricate...

Unlock the mind of a philosopher who reshaped how we see power, society, and authority with The Thomas Hobbes Collection. This captivating anthology brings together four of Hobbes’s most groundbreaking works, immersing readers in the bold ideas that continue to influence political thought and human understanding.In Leviathan, Hobbes delivers his defining masterpiece, a visionary exploration of humanity’s natural state and the need for a strong, cent...

It is a regrettable fact that the majority of works dealing with the subject of Alchemy take a one-sided point of view. The chemists generally take a purely physical view of the subject, and instead of trying to understand its mystical language, often prefer to label it nonsense and the alchemist a fool. On the other hand, the mystics, in many cases, take a purely transcendental view of the subject, forgetting the fact that the alchemists were, for the most part, concerned with operations ...

Discover the brilliance of one of history's most profound thinkers with The David Hume Collection, an extraordinary anthology that captures the essence of the Scottish Enlightenment. This landmark volume, meticulously compiled by Steppenwolf Press, brings together Hume’s most celebrated works, offering a comprehensive journey into his revolutionary ideas on philosophy, history, and religion.Within these pages, you’ll find:A Kind of History of My Life