{"title":"Gary Cox","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the fascinating world of Gary Cox, a distinguished author celebrated for his insightful contributions to the realm of philosophy and literature. Whether you're a seasoned philosopher or a curious newcomer, Cox provides an accessible gateway to complex ideas with his extensive range of books.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDeep Thought\u003c\/em\u003e, a popular work in our collection, dives into profound philosophical inquiries, challenging readers to engage with their own beliefs and assumptions. For those intrigued by existentialism, \u003cem\u003eExistentialism and Excess: The Life and Times of Jean-Paul Sartre\u003c\/em\u003e offers a captivating portrait of one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century. Along similar lines, \u003cem\u003eHow to Be an Existentialist\u003c\/em\u003e is a compelling guide to navigating life's uncertainties, while \u003cem\u003eHow to Be a Philosopher\u003c\/em\u003e opens the door to philosophical thinking for all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor readers aspiring to lead a moral life, \u003cem\u003eHow to be Good\u003c\/em\u003e tackles ethical living with practical insight. Additionally, \u003cem\u003eThe Existentialist's Guide to Death, the Universe and Nothingness\u003c\/em\u003e contemplates life's profound questions, encouraging a reflective journey through the cosmos.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNot to be limited by non-fiction alone, Cox also ventures into fiction with \u003cem\u003eThe Girls of the White Platypus Totem\u003c\/em\u003e, showcasing his narrative prowess. Each book invites you to explore and question, offering both intellectual stimulation and existential pondering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover Gary Cox's works today and engage with ideas that challenge and inspire. Perfect for readers eager to explore life's deeper meanings in both philosophical and literary contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-girls-of-the-white-platypus-totem-by-gary-cox-9781098372590","title":"The Girls of the White Platypus Totem","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Girls of the White Platypus Totem\u003c\/i\u003e tells the story of Tildey Starling and Carmella Blacksnake as they are swept up into a spiritual adventure in the super-remote Great Sandy Desert of Western Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe two climate activist friends are called upon by the Pope to investigate strange pictographs of a white platypus that begin popping up in Western Australia and the Northern Territories. These pictographs send Aborigines into an uproar and herald a new cycle for planet Earth. The novel was inspired by Peter Weir's 1977 movie, \u003ci\u003eThe Last Wave\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the first book in the series, \u003ci\u003eGlass Towers and Goats\u003c\/i\u003e, Tildey and Carmella find themselves involved in an investigation of mysterious unrest among traditional Aborigines in the remote Great Sandy Desert of Western Australia. Pursued by predatory academics in league with the army, the two flee across the ocean with the Pope's pilot in the papal jet. They then travel by Land Rover and horseback to St. Mechtilde's of the Desert, a remote convent, to launch an investigation of strange spiritual happenings originating from the mysterious, cave-infested limestone plateau. Meanwhile, their pursuers have not given up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46716691480812,"sku":"9781098372590","price":22.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/959dadf0a82534a19a4d19f1b39837cb.jpg?v=1754523550"},{"product_id":"how-to-be-an-existentialist-by-gary-cox-9781350068988","title":"How to Be an Existentialist","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 10th anniversary edition of a witty classic about the philosophy of existentialism, \u003cem\u003eHow to Be an Existentialist\u003c\/em\u003e is also a genuine self-help book offering clear advice on how to live according to the principles of existentialism formulated by Nietzsche, Sartre, Camus, and the other great existentialist philosophers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAn attack on contemporary excuse culture, the book urges us to face the hard existential truths of the human condition. By revealing that we are all inescapably free and responsible—'condemned to be free,' as Sartre says—the book aims to empower the reader with a sharp sense that we are each the master of our own destiny. Cox makes fun of the reputation existentialism has for being gloomy and pessimistic, exposing it for what it really is: an honest, uplifting, and potentially life-changing philosophy!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis striking 10th anniversary edition with a substantial new preface includes more pointers on how to be a true existentialist, including how to be an existentialist at a time when environmental issues are becoming ever more pressing and our 'post-truth' world increasingly subjects us to the politically polarising power of simplistic social media.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46833151148268,"sku":"9781350068988","price":32.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/18602163482668.jpg?v=1758441097"},{"product_id":"existentialism-and-excess-the-life-and-times-of-jean-paul-sartre-by-gary-cox-9781350066571","title":"Existentialism and Excess: The Life and Times of Jean-Paul Sartre","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJean-Paul Sartre is an undisputed giant of twentieth-century philosophy. His intellectual writings popularising existentialism, combined with his creative and artistic flair, have made him a legend of French thought. His tumultuous personal life—so inextricably bound up with his philosophical thinking—is a fascinating tale of love and lust, drug abuse, high-profile fallings-out, and political and cultural rebellion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis substantial and meticulously researched biography is accessible, fast-paced, often amusing, and at times deeply moving. \u003ci\u003eExistentialism and Excess\u003c\/i\u003e covers all the main events of Sartre's remarkable seventy-five-year life: from his early years as a precocious brat devouring his grandfather's library, through his time as a brilliant student in Paris, his wilderness years as a provincial teacher-writer experimenting with mescaline, his World War II adventures as a POW and member of the resistance, his post-war politicisation, his immense amphetamine-fuelled feats of writing productivity, his harem of women, and his final decline into blindness and old age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlong the way, there are countless intriguing anecdotes—some amusing, some tragic, some controversial: his loathing of crustaceans and his belief that he was being pursued by a giant lobster, his escape from a POW camp, the bombing of his apartment, his influence on the May 1968 uprising, and his many love affairs. Cox deftly moves from these episodes to discussing his intellectual development, his famous feuds with Aron, Camus, and Merleau-Ponty, his encounters with other giant figures of his day: Roosevelt, Hemingway, Heidegger, John Huston, Mao, Castro, Che Guevara, Khrushchev, and Tito, and, above all, his long, complex, and creative relationship with Simone de Beauvoir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eExistentialism and Excess\u003c\/i\u003e also gives serious consideration to Sartre’s ideas and many philosophical works, novels, stories, plays, and biographies, revealing their intimate connection with his personal life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCox has written an entertaining, thought-provoking, and compulsive book, much like the man himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46843481751788,"sku":"9781350066571","price":38.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/18577993482668.jpg?v=1758801736"},{"product_id":"deep-thought-by-gary-cox-9781350066588","title":"Deep Thought","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGary Cox guides us through 42 of the most misunderstood, misquoted, provocative and significant quotes in the history of philosophy, providing a witty and compelling commentary along the way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis entertaining and illuminating collection of quotes doesn't merely list who said what and when; it explores who each philosopher is and what they really meant when they said what they said.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eViewing each quote as a philosophical thesis in itself, Cox probes the writings of everyone from Douglas Adams to A.J. Ayer and Thomas Aquinas to Karl Marx. This is a philosophical journey through history, culture, and writing to bring us to a deeper understanding of why we think the way we do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs Douglas Adams points out, if there is no final answer to the question, 'What is the meaning of life?', '42' is as good or bad an answer as any other. Here Cox shows that 42 quotes might be even better!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDeep Thought\u003c\/em\u003e offers readers a captivating exploration into philosophical insights, encouraging contemplation and appreciation of varied philosophical ideas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47000589271276,"sku":"9781350066588","price":32.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/18578163482668.jpg?v=1763287558"},{"product_id":"how-to-be-a-philosopher-by-gary-cox-9781472504944","title":"How To Be A Philosopher","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDo life's big questions perplex you? This book, now available in paperback, will give you answers to some of them while revealing that others have no answer. A humorous but informed instruction manual to questions philosophers have been asking and attempting to answer for centuries, \u003ci\u003eHow to Be A Philosopher\u003c\/i\u003e will help you:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e• Think, talk, argue and persuade like a philosopher.\u003cbr\u003e\n• Win every argument by tying people in philosophical knots.\u003cbr\u003e\n• Ask questions and raise doubts about things most people take for granted.\u003cbr\u003e\n• Realise that almost nothing is certain.\u003cbr\u003e\n• Get the absolute final word on that question about a falling tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA practical guide to philosophising, the book explains philosophical ideas with examples drawn from such great works as \u003ci\u003eFamily Guy\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eMonty Python's Flying Circus\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Matrix\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eRed Dwarf\u003c\/i\u003e. The book also argues that learning to philosophise will help you think more clearly and honestly about your own life. The book even gives practical advice on how to make a living from philosophy!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47000639471852,"sku":"9781472504944","price":45.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/7186963482712.jpg?v=1763292375"},{"product_id":"how-to-be-good-by-gary-cox-9781350154599","title":"How to be Good","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is goodness? Is goodness achievable, and if so, how? If being a good person is a matter of doing the right thing, then what is the right thing to do? Is it acting rationally, promoting happiness, exercising moderation in all things, or respecting the freedom of others, or is it somehow a concoction of all these abilities, wisely adjusted to suit circumstances?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this instructive, entertaining, and often humorous book, Gary Cox, best-selling author of \u003ci\u003eHow to Be an Existentialist\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eHow to Be a Philosopher\u003c\/i\u003e, investigates the phenomenon of goodness and what, if anything, it is to be a good person and a paragon of virtue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePart easygoing exploration of the age-old subject of moral philosophy, part personal development and improvement manual, \u003ci\u003eHow to Be Good\u003c\/i\u003e carefully leads you on a fascinating journey through the often strange and surprising world of ethics, with ideas from Aristotle, Kant, Nietzsche, and a host of other moral philosophers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47000639570156,"sku":"9781350154599","price":38.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/19458273482668.jpg?v=1763292398"},{"product_id":"the-existentialists-guide-to-death-the-universe-and-nothingness-by-gary-cox-9781350029729","title":"The Existentialist's Guide to Death, the Universe and Nothingness","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Existentialist's Guide to Death, the Universe and Nothingness\u003c\/i\u003e is an entertaining philosophical guide to life, love, hate, freedom, sex, anxiety, God and death; a guide to everything and nothing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGary Cox, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eHow to Be an Existentialist\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eHow to Be a Philosopher\u003c\/i\u003e, takes us on an exciting journey through the central themes of existentialism, a philosophy of the human condition. \u003ci\u003eThe Existentialist's Guide\u003c\/i\u003e fascinates, informs, provokes and inspires as it explores existentialism's uncompromising view of human reality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt leaves the reader with no illusions about how hard it is to live honestly and achieve authenticity. It has, however, a redeeming humour that sets the wisdom of the great existentialist philosophers alongside the wit of great musicians and comedians.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA realistic self-help book for anyone interested in personal empowerment, \u003ci\u003eThe Existentialist's Guide\u003c\/i\u003e offers a wealth of profound philosophical insight into life, the universe and everything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47000779194604,"sku":"9781350029729","price":36.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/18209573482668.jpg?v=1763304024"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/gary-cox.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}