Synopsis
In the African kingdom of Kasch the king should be sacrificed when the stars come into a particular alignment. One day a stranger arrives who tells such good yarns the priests forget to watch the skies. The king survives. Sacrifice is abolished, but the kingdom begins to decline.
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Review
The Ruin of Kasch examines the rise of the modern state and the origins of romantic nationalism, whose sick fruit has been harvested in places such as Bosnia, Chechnya, and East Timor. Roberto Calasso locates the transformation in the French Revolution, when a frivolous monarchy evaporated before a government that valued order, bureaucracy, and above all secrecy. He also attributes it to Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (1754-1838), who was perhaps the first professional civil servant. Ever selfish, Talleyrand proved the perfect servant to the Napoleonic Era; as Napoleon said, "Principles are fine; they don't commit you to anything." The Ruin of Kasch is about Talleyrand, but also, Italo Calvino notes, "about everything else." It's a whirlwind of a book, sometimes maddeningly so. It is one to pick up, ponder, put down, argue with, and then resume reading until the next argument pops up a page or two later.
About the Author
Roberto Calasso is the author of The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony, as well as a novel and many literary and philosophical essays. He is Director of the publishing house Adelphi Edizioni in Milan.
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The Ruin of Kasch
Seller: Reuseabook, Gloucester, GLOS, United Kingdom
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Hardcover. Condition: Used; Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages. Seller Inventory # CHL10520472
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The Ruin of Kasch
Published by
Carcanet Pr, 1994
ISBN 10: 0856357138
ISBN 13: 9780856357138
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. See photos. Dust jacket in good shape. V. light edge and shelf wear. Seller Inventory # 014031
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The Ruin of Kasch
Seller: Anybook.com, Lincoln, United Kingdom
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Condition: Fair. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. Book contains pencil markings. In fair condition, suitable as a study copy. No dust jacket. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,800grams, ISBN:0856357138. Seller Inventory # 5836116
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THE RUIN OF KASCH (SIGNED)
Published by
CARCANET, MANCHESTER, 1994
ISBN 10: 0856357138
ISBN 13: 9780856357138
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Hardcover
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Seller: booksonlinebrighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
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Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. Blue cloth quarter binding with Navy blue blocked title slip, gilt titles and grey cloth boards, 240 x 160 mm approx. [vi] + 386 pp. Portrait frontis. First UK Edition 1994 inscribed and signed by the author in ink to the front free end paper and dated 2nd Dec 1994 with invitation card from the Director of the Italian Cultural Institute London for the presentation of the book that evening. Also laid in are extensive longhand notes and a press review of the book from the Independent on Sunday 27th Nov.1994. Please see our images of the actual book offered for sale for further details and condition. Near Fine/ Near Fine (Book Author insc. as above else fine. Dust Jacket - negligible shelf rubbing/ soiling, non price clipped - cover £19.95. Please request via "ask bookseller a question/contact bookseller" when placing order if you would like a removable proprietary protective sleeve be fitted prior to posting at no extra cost. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 135002
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