Author
Edwin Abbott Abbott
1838-1926
Edwin Abbott Abbott (1838-1926) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Edwin Abbott Abbott
Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions
"Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions" by Edwin Abbott Abbott is a satirical novella published in 1884. Set in a two-dimensional world inhabited by geometric shapes, the story follows a Square who encounters beings from other dimensions. Through his journey from Flatland to higher and lower dimensional worlds, the novella explores both the mathematical concept of dimensions and critiques Victorian society's rigid class and gender hierarchies. Unable to convince others of what he's witnessed, the Square faces imprisonment for preaching forbidden truths about reality beyond two dimensions.
How to Write Clearly: Rules and Exercises on English Composition
"How to Write Clearly: Rules and Exercises on English Composition" by Edwin A. Abbott is a guidebook on English composition written in the late 19th century. The book aims to provide clear rules and exercises for teaching the art of writing clearly, which Abbott argues can be simplified to manageable instructions, contrasting it with the more complex nuances of writing with force and elegance. At the start of the book, the author emphasizes that while most boys can learn to write clearly through proper word arrangement and adherence to specific rules, clarity in writing does not necessarily guarantee clear thinking. Abbott introduces the main objectives of his work, which are to highlight common causes of ambiguity in writing and provide remedies through simple, repeatable strategies. He supports his thesis by referencing various forms of writing, including speeches and newspaper articles, that often fall prey to obfuscation due to deviations from these rules. The opening lays out the foundation for the rules and exercises that will follow, reflecting a commitment to improving English composition skills for students and writers alike.
Onesimus: Memoirs of a Disciple of St. Paul
"Onesimus: Memoirs of a Disciple of St. Paul" by Edwin Abbott Abbott is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative is presented as the memoir of Onesimus, a young slave who finds himself entangled in the early Christian community and the teachings of St. Paul. The story explores themes of faith, freedom, and the transformation of one's beliefs against the backdrop of the ancient world, as Onesimus navigates the trials of his life as a slave and a believer. The opening of the narrative introduces Onesimus and his twin brother Chrestus as they are abandoned as infants and taken in by a kindly foster mother in Lystra. Their idyllic childhood is upended by tragedy when their patron dies, leaving them subject to a cruel new master, Nicander. The brothers are separated, and Onesimus is sold into slavery, leading to a profound exploration of identity and spirituality as he encounters the teachings of St. Paul. Throughout the beginning, Onesimus’s reflections on love, trust, and the nature of God set the stage for a deeper investigation of faith as he struggles to find his place in a world filled with uncertainty and despair.
Philochristus: Memoirs of a Disciple of the Lord
"Philochristus: Memoirs of a Disciple of the Lord" by Edwin Abbott Abbott is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The book presents the imagined memoirs of an early disciple of Jesus Christ, named Philochristus, as he reflects on his life, upbringing, and the profound societal turmoil in Israel during the time of Jesus. It explores themes of faith, doubt, and the struggle for spiritual truth in a world rife with political oppression and moral decay. The opening of the narrative introduces Philochristus, who recounts his childhood in Galilee and the tragic events surrounding his family under Herod's reign. As a child, he witnesses the violent suppression of dissent and the worship of false gods, which shapes his fervent desire for a true Redeemer for Israel. He describes his rigorous upbringing in the Jewish law, reflects on the lack of hope among his teachers concerning the coming of a Messiah, and ultimately reveals his yearning for salvation. This portion establishes the historical and cultural backdrop against which Philochristus's personal journey of faith unfolds, highlighting the tension between traditional law and the emerging spiritual teachings that will come to define his life.
The Kernel and the Husk: Letters on Spiritual Christianity
"The Kernel and the Husk: Letters on Spiritual Christianity" by Edwin A. Abbott is a philosophical exploration of Christianity and its relationship with belief in miracles, written during the late 19th century. The work directly addresses individuals grappling with their faith, particularly those who feel disillusioned by traditional miraculous accounts tied to Christian doctrine. Through a series of letters, Abbott seeks to clarify the essence of Christianity, separating what he perceives as the core truths (the "kernel") from the potentially misleading miraculous elements (the "husk"). At the start of the book, Abbott introduces a personal narrative where he responds to the doubts expressed by a clergyman on the verge of losing faith. He acknowledges the struggle many face when confronted with faith's miraculous claims and presents his own journey from doubt to a more spiritual understanding of Christ, one that does not rely on miracles for validation. He emphasizes the necessity of nurturing a faith that aligns with human experience and natural law, arguing that true spirituality can coexist with reason and critical examination, avoiding the extremes of dogmatic belief or total skepticism. This philosophical groundwork sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Christian beliefs throughout the rest of the text.
Silanus the Christian
"Silanus the Christian" by Edwin Abbott Abbott is a historical novel written in the early 20th century." The narrative centers on the character of Quintus Junius Silanus, who, in the context of the Roman Empire around 118 A.D., is influenced by his mentor Epictetus while he navigates the complexities of his developing faith in Christianity amidst philosophical teachings. This work explores themes of belief, spirituality, and the interplay between philosophical inquiry and faith. "The opening of the text introduces us to Quintus Junius Silanus and his journey to Nicopolis to hear the lectures of Epictetus." Here, Silanus describes his experience at the lecture, detailing Epictetus's dynamic teaching style and firm philosophical stance on the nature of authority and the individual’s intrinsic freedom. As Silanus engages with the tenets of Stoicism and contrasts them with the concepts he begins to glean from Christian teachings, he starts to delve deeper into the spiritual implications of his new learnings while corresponding with friends about their conflicting views. The stage is set for Silanus's intellectual and spiritual growth, establishing a tension between his philosophical studies and emerging Christian beliefs.