Intellectual Devotional

Introduction Daily Devotionals have long been a favored tool of those looking for a regular dose of spiritual growth. Bedside volumes, read upon waking in the morning or before retiring at night, Devotionals consist of 365 exercises in learning and reflection. One easily digestible entry is tackled each day. The Intellectual Devotional is a secular compendium in the same tradition. It is one year’s worth of daily readings that will refresh your spirit, stimulate your mind, and help complete your education. Each entry is drawn from a different field of knowledge: History, Literature, Visual Arts, Science, Music, Philosophy, and Religion. Read one passage a day and you will explore each subject once a week. These readings offer the kind of regular exercise the brain requires to stay fresh, especially as we age. They represent an escape from the day-to-day grind into the rarefied realm of human wisdom. And, they will open new horizons of intellectual discovery. A brief summary of the journey ahead . . .  MONDAY—HISTORY  A survey of people and events that shaped the development of Western civilization. TUESDAY—LITERATURE A look at great writers and a synopsis of their most important works—poems and novels that continue to inspire readers today. WEDNESDAY—VISUAL ARTS An introduction to the artists and artistic movements that yielded the world’s most influential paintings, sculptures, and works of architecture. THURSDAY—SCIENCE From the origin of black holes to a description of how batteries work, the wonders of science are simplified and revealed. FRIDAY—MUSIC What inspired our greatest composers, how to read a sheet of notes, and why Mozart is so revered—a comprehensive review of our musical heritage. SATURDAY—PHILOSOPHY From ancient Greece to the twentieth century, the efforts of humankind’s greatest thinkers to explain the meaning of life and the universe. SUNDAY—RELIGION An overview of the world’s major religions and their beliefs. We hope your progress through this collection of knowledge inspires your curiosity and opens new areas of exploration in your life. —David S. Kidder and Noah D. Oppenheim