Simon Goodman's grandparents came from German-Jewish banking dynasties and died in concentration camps. Originally he knew little about them - his father never spoke of their history or heritage. But when Goodman received his late father's old papers, a story began to emerge.
A modern introduction to traditional Buddhist psychology This practical overview of Buddhist psychology outlines step-by-step methods for examining the source of our habitual tendencies and hangups. In order to truly free ourselves from perpetuating patterns of suffering, the Buddha offered a clear system for understanding our psychological dispositions, processes, fixations, and challenges--a system known as the Abhidharma. This tradition has been studied by Buddhists for over two millennia.Professor Steven Goodman has taught on the Abhidharma in both universities and Buddhist retreats for over twenty years, making these traditional teachings accessible for a modern readership for the first time. Goodman explains how becoming aware of our mental patterns can liberate us from cycles of emotional pain and shows how the Abhidharma can be applied to meditation practice through exercises of observation and reflection. This is the go-to manual for anyone interested in the world of Buddhist psychology.
This passionate true story follows one man's quest to reclaim his family's stolen art collection and restore their legacy. Simon Goodman's grandparents, part of prominent German Jewish banking dynasties, perished in concentration camps, leaving Simon with scant knowledge of his family's history. After his father's death, he discovered papers that unveiled the Gutmanns' rise from a small Bohemian village to a powerful banking family, amassing a world-class art collection featuring masterpieces by Degas, Renoir, and Botticelli, as well as a Renaissance clock depicting the legend of Orpheus. The Nazis seized everything the Gutmanns had built, including their art, wealth, and lives. Growing up in London, Simon was unaware of his father's efforts to recover their possessions until he began piecing together the story of their stolen legacy and the Nazi looting machine. He learned that much of the collection had ended up with Hitler and Göring, while other pieces were smuggled, sold, or absorbed into European government collections. Through meticulous detective work across two continents, Simon proved many pieces belonged to his family and successfully secured their return, marking the first Nazi looting case settled in the U.S. His dramatic journey reveals a rich family history nearly erased by the Nazis, offering an unforgettable tale of redemption and restoration.