Alan Watts published books
The Wisdom of Insecurity:
Blurb: We live in an age of unprecedented anxiety. Spending all our time trying to anticipate and plan for the future and to lamenting the past, we forget to embrace the here and now. We are so concerned with tomorrow that we forget to enjoy today. Drawing from Eastern philosophy and religion, Alan Watts shows that it is only by acknowledging what we do not—and cannot—know that we can learn anything truly worth knowing. In The Wisdom of Insecurity, he shows us how, in order to lead a fulfilling life, we must embrace the present—and live fully in the now.
Cover analysis: Very nice soft approach to a book cover design. I like how the bold harsh red and orange colours are being covered almost by the soothing calm blue which reflects what the book is about: to help people with anxiety. The red and orange representing anxiety and stress whilst the blue represents calmness and collectiveness. The serif typeface also gives off a formal yet approachable feel to the book making it look friendly and inviting, this is something I will definitely be taking into account when it comes to creating my book cover.
The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are:
Blurb: This book explores an unrecognised but mighty taboo our tacit conspiracy to ignore who, or what, we really are... We are therefore in urgent need of a sense of our own existence which is in accord with the physical facts and which over comes our feeling of alienation from the universe. Alan Watts asks what is the cause of the illusion that the self is a separate ego, housed in a bag of skin, and which confronts a universe of physical objects that are alien to it. Rather a person s identity (their ego) binds them to the physical universe, creating a relationship with their environment and other people. The separation of the self and the physical world leads to the misuse of technology and the attempt to violently subjugate man s natural environment, leading to its destruction. Explaining man's role in the universe as a unique expression of the total universe, and interdependent on it, Alan Watts offers a new understanding of personal identity. It reveals the mystery of existence, presenting an alternative to the feelings of alienation that is prevalent in Western society, and a vision of how we can come to understand the cosmic self that is within every living thing. Offering spiritual answers to the problems of a materialistic lifestyle, alienated from the natural world, Alan Watts is the voice of all who seek a deeper understanding of their own identity and role in the world.
Cover Analysis: This cover I'm not a fan of. The harsh yellow is unsightly and off putting, however it could work to the books advantage as it represents a hopeful/happy atmosphere which reflects what the book is trying to communicate to their audience. The double o in book joins up to make the infinity symbol which is a strong concept, it represents the infinite transfer of energy in the universe and how everything that goes around comes back around. The typeface and colours chosen for the type however contrast too much and do not reflect what the book is trying to communicate.
Become What You Are:
Blurb: In this collection of writings, including nine new chapters never before available in book form, Watts displays the intelligence, playfulness of thought, and simplicity of language that has made him so perennially popular as an interpreter of Eastern thought for Westerners. He draws on a variety of religious traditions, and covers topics such as the challenge of seeing one's life "just as it is," the Taoist approach to harmonious living, the limits of language in the face of ineffable spiritual truth, and the psychological symbolism of Christian thought.
Cover Analysis: This is one of Alan Watts strongest covers. The pattern shows some elements from different religions that surround a black hole in the centre, it reflects his book as it represents being content with one self, once you focus that energy on yourself then the rest will follow and you will find positivity and happiness in a more spiritual and religious form. The yellow does not look too harsh and gives off a hopeful atmosphere which is what he wants to communicate in his book. These elements of design I definitely want to try out for myself when it comes to designing my own book cover. It clearly communicates what the book is about without looking too unsightly.
The Joyous Cosmology:
Blurb: The Joyous Cosmology is Alan Watts’s exploration of the insight that the consciousness-changing drugs LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin can facilitate “when accompanied with sustained philosophical reflection by a person who is in search, not of kicks, but of understanding.” More than an artifact, it is both a riveting memoir of Watts’s personal experiments and a profound meditation on our perennial questions about the nature of existence and the existence of the sacred.
Cover Analysis: I am rather fond of this cover. Whether its the ages look of the cover or the abstract design in the centre or the calming deep sea blue I like the overall feel of the design which is something I'm taking on board for when it comes to designing my own book cover. I think it reflects the contents of the book well as the colour and serif fonts invite you into reading the book to find out what its about.
Alan Watts Behold The Spirit:
Blurb: Just as groundbreaking today as it was when it first appeared, Behold the Spirit is philosopher Alan Watts’s timeless argument for the place of mystical religion in today’s world. Drawing on his experiences as a former priest, Watts skillfully explains how the intuition of Eastern religion—Zen Buddhism, in particular—can be incorporated into the doctrines of Western Christianity, allowing people of all creeds to enjoy a deeper, more meaningful relationship with the spiritual in our present troubled times.
Cover Analysis: This cover is obviously trying to communicate the spiritual relationship that people have with one and another. The green colour does communicate a more earthy feel to the cover which is a good thing to represent what the contents of the book is about. The large serif font for the title however contradicts this atmosphere as it makes it almost look like a horror story than a spiritual book about finding your inner self.
