Rebel Thinkers Series

Many are the philosophers who have proposed ideas, explanations, and solutions to the riddles of the universe. Few are the ones who have left us definitive answers. I have chosen six philosophers because their ideas are so daring and well argued that remain unrefuted despite the attempts by lesser luminaries of philosophy. Given the resonant and authoritative voices of Descartes, Spinoza, Kant, Rousseau, Nietzsche, and Sartre, I have titled this book The Daring Philosophers.

Voltaire wrote 50 plays, dozens of treatises on science, politics and philosophy. He was also a historian, penning several books of history on the Russian Empire and the French Parliament. He also had the itch to write poetry. He left a voluminous correspondence of about 20,000 letters to friends and other correspondents. A veritable literary monster. Although Candide departs from normal novelistic practice, many critics consider it a timeless work of art; some consider it a masterpiece and a classic. And because it is not a traditional novel, we should not read it as one. We should study it. Zadig chronicles the adventures of a young Zoroastrian, benevolent and charismatic figure, who reveres the good and the beautiful. Despite incidental amorous detours, Zadig's love for Queen Astarte glows as a paragon of sublime fidelity to woman. Some critics claim the novel is the progenitor of the modern Detective Novel, as it included some deep deductive reasoning.

These short stories offer a rare view into the lives of daring characters that walk the streets of the upper East Side of Manhattan. East of Tiffany's Daring Dudes shows actors, warriors, cops, and executives on their way to the cusp of success, both material and spiritual success. And happiness. That is why in the book's title I call them winners. They never give up on their set goals. And like oil in water, they always raise up to the top. All the stories you find here on are based on events, decisions, and help they received that caused them to reach their goals. By writing about daring and winning characters, we hope to inspire readers to become winners. The defenders of the pre-ordained impede individuals from achieving their goals. We believe in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.