{"product_id":"the-ring-of-truth-isbn-9781468315493","title":"The Ring of Truth","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Nothing in opera is grander than \u003ci\u003eThe Ring\u003c\/i\u003e, no work more suited to the deep reading the writer gives here.” —\u003ci\u003eOpera News\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRichard Wagner's \u003ci\u003eRing of the Nibelung\u003c\/i\u003e is one of the greatest works of art created in modern times, and has fascinated both critics and devotees for over a century and a half. No recent study has examined the meaning of Wagner's masterpiece with the attention to detail and intellectual power that \u003cb\u003eRoger Scruton\u003c\/b\u003e brings to it in this inspiring account.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Ring of Truth\u003c\/i\u003e is an exploration of the drama, music, symbolism, and philosophy of \u003ci\u003eThe Ring\u003c\/i\u003e from a writer whose knowledge and understanding of the Western musical tradition are the equal of his capacities as a philosopher. Scruton shows how, through musical connections and brilliant dramatic strokes, Wagner is able to express truths about the human condition which few other creative artists have been able to convey so convincingly. For Wagner, writes Scruton, the task of art is to “show us freedom in its immediate, contingent, human form, reminding us of what it means to us. Even if we live in a world from which gods and heroes have disappeared we can, by imagining them, dramatize the deep truths of our condition and renew our faith in what we are.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLove, death, sacrifice and the liberation that we win through sacrifice—these are the great themes of \u003ci\u003eThe Ring\u003c\/i\u003e, as they are of this book. Scruton's passionate and moving interpretation allows us to understand more fully than ever how Wagner conveys his ideas about who we are, and why \u003ci\u003eThe Ring\u003c\/i\u003e continues to be such a hypnotically absorbing work.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Scruton’s presentation is grounded throughout in a deep understanding of the culture of Wagner’s era . . . the writing is clear and persuasive.” —\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e (starred review)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A fascinating and valuable study.” —\u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Harry N. Abrams","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":44826249461989,"sku":"NP9781468315493","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-ring-of-truth-isbn-9781468315493","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}