[annyokie]

There has been a lot of deplorable fantasy that has come "out since Tolkein"

Isn't that the truth! Did you try to read "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever'? More stupid songs, sung by giants whose favorite phrase is "Joy is in the ears that hear" Say what?

Skip Aquinas, a bit too Fruedian in his musing on his mother. Read Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search For Meaning" which tells of his time in Auschwitz and how a just God could allow that sort of evil to happen. Excellent!

Plato's writings about the Cave are pretty cool, too. Aristotle is great, as well.

[Alkhin]

Re: Thomas Covenant...sadly yes...I subjected myself to that...the author took advantage of people thirsting for more fantasy...I should have put it down after the first chapter...how could I expect to enjoy a quest story about a man whose first act in a strange world is to rape a girl???

It got even worse from there. I gave up on the second book.

I'd recommend The Rule of Life by Benedict of Nursia. He is the father of Western monasticism. His Rule is the basis for many of the monasterial orders. A lot of practical common sense for 'regular folks' as well.