This study of American Catholicism summarizes a widespread contemporary tendency to adapt traditional spirituality to a world of moral diversity, to hold onto some essential portions of religious expe
Friendships between women and gay men captivated the American media in the opening decade of the 21st century. John Portmann places this curious phenomenon in its historical context, examining the cha
In this book, Portmann argues that especially since 9/11, the reality of sin has made a strong comeback. Even liberal Christians such as Bishop Sprong have to take the pervasiveness of personal evil d
Portmann explores the feelings of pleasure that people experience when even a close friend suffers, surveying the perspectives of such thinkers as Nietzsche, Baudelaire, Freud, and Toni Morrison. He
A growing epidemic, Alzheimer’s punishes not only its victims but also those married to them. This book analyzes how Alzheimer’s is quietly transforming the way we think about love today. Without mean
A growing epidemic, Alzheimer’s punishes not only its victims but also those married to them. This book analyzes how Alzheimer’s is quietly transforming the way we think about love today. Without mean
Although many of us deny it, it is not uncommon to feel pleasure over the suffering of others, particularly when we feel that suffering has been deserved. The German word for this concept-Schadenfreud
