Schopenhauer's perception of the importance of art, morality and self awareness in a blind struggle against a Godless, meaningless world radically transformed our understanding of the individual and remains a searing vision of the human condition.

Gibbon's subversive and iconoclastic description of the rise of Christianity inspired outrage upon publication and remains one of the most eloquent and damning indictments of the delusory nature of faith.

One of the most iconoclastic thinkers of all time, Friedrich Nietzsche continues to challenge the boundaries of conventional religion and morality with his subversive theories of the 'superman', the individual will, the death of God and the triumph of an all-powerful human life force.

Christine de Pisan was a pioneer among female authors of the Middle Ages. This text is her first and foremost attempt to defend women from literary misogyny prevalent at the time.

The counsels of Thomas a Kempis have offered spiritual guidance to millions, with their eloquent reflections on the virtues of humility and the profound power of faith.