Crown Jewel

The great 20th century Indian sage, Ramana Maharshi, has often been described as the very incarnation of non-dualism, or advaita, even though the Hindu philosophical school of Advaita Vedanta claims that no one has ever been born, lived or died. It is this paradox that the Advaitin philosopher John Allen Grimes explores in this profound new work, skillfully combining biography with philosophical and spiritual inquiry.

“The world suffers violence, and the violent shall take it by force.” Broken and distorted soundbites of cult leader Jim Jones giving his final, suicide-enticing sermon mesh with growls and brazen, angry guitars to open Wolves Among the Ashes. But Jones’s horrid words lose their original lunatic ardor here. Instead, they become vessels of poisonous derision for the French blackened death metal outfit Svart Crown on their fifth full-length, while the music wraps around this and similar ideas of subservience, foolishness, and madness. A caricature of and opposition to the tyranny of cult leaders born of the same cloth but with much larger flocks than the Peoples Temple.

Sparks off ideas and arguments in all directions' – John Hussey, author of Marlborough: The Hero of Blenheim

'A forceful and convincing critique of British hypocrisy which never lacks a cutting edge' – Paul Addison, author of Churchill: The Unexpected Hero

Combining stunning photographs with expert knowledge, this book is a dazzling guide to precious stones, organic gems, and precious metals.