Suu Kyi is the daughter of Burmese National hero Aung San, and is the primary figure in Burma’s struggle for democracy. This collection of essays is testament, not only to her courage and leadership abilities, but also to the depth and breadth of her learning and culture. Before I read this, I had little knowledge or interest in the situation in Burma, but I must now add Aung San Suu Kyi to that small group of humans who show the way by their lives and actions. Her courage in the face of military repression is inspiring, and all too humbling for those of us who like to critique from the safety of privilege.

Extracted from à Kempis’ Imitation of Christ, this is more a practical guide to self-mastery than a religious text. But then, I define “spirituality” as nothing more or less than deliberate self-development. The humility and delicacy of this text stand in refreshing contrast to the heavy-handedness of stereotypical Medieval Orthodoxy, and Christian fundamentalism in general.

I stayed in a house the author had built on Fire Island, and there was a stack of these pamphlets in a drawer. Writing during the Nixon Administration, Marzani argues that there is increasing potential for a fascist takeover in America. Not fascism a la Germany or Italy, but a more gradual, businesslike erosion of liberties is what Marzani sees. Whether any of these fears were realized in the 27 years since this writing is open to debate. [American Documentary Films]