Siddhartha (Warbler Classics Annotated Edition)

Siddhartha takes place in the ancient Indian kingdom of Kapilavastue and follows the spiritual journey of a man who embarks on a quest for enlightenment. Along the way he becomes a wandering beggar, a rich businessman, a lover, a Buddhist convert, and, ultimately, a wise man. Hermann Hesse's most inspirational and beloved work, Siddhartha integrates Eastern and Western spirituality, psychology, and sensibilities in a simple, moving tale that has influenced generations since its original publication in 1922.This Warbler Classics edition includes Alan Watts's essay The Way of Liberation in Zen Buddhism, which offers a clear, compelling overview of the history and philosophy of Buddhist thought.Hermann Karl Hesse (1877-1962) was a German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter. Along with Siddhartha, his best-known works include Demian (1922) , Steppenwolf (1927) , Narcissus and Goldmund (1933) , and The Glass Bead Game (1943) , each of which explores an individual's search for authenticity, self-knowledge, and spirituality. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1946. He died on August 9, 1962.Alan Wilson Watts (1915-1973) was an English writer, theologian, and speaker known for interpreting and popularizing Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism for a Western audience. He wrote more than twenty-five books and articles on religion and philosophy, including The Way of Zen (1957) , one of the first bestselling books on Buddhism. He died on November 16, 1973, at his cabin in Druid Heights, California.. Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read.