December Book of the Month: "The Christmas Mice" by John White

"Isn't that strange? It took some babies to teach grown-ups to be nice to each other. Do you suppose that has anything to do with Christmas?" - The Christmas Mice

Our festive Book of the Month for December is The Christmas Mice by John White and illustrated by Dorothy L. Hall.

The Christmas Mice, a tale for children, is a heartwarming story of love and acceptance. It tells of two mice, Roger and Emily, who are outcasts from their community because they are different. One is green, the other is red-the colors of Christmas.

Encouraged by the birth of his children and the beauty of a Christmas tree, Roger teaches the rest of the meadowmice an important lesson about love and brotherhood. As the two main characters gain acceptance and understanding from the other mice, the importance of peace and oneness of all life is sensitively communicated. Especially relevant this year due to the presidential election and tumult time of hate crimes, violence, and abuse towards others who are different, this book would make the perfect bedtime story or gift.

The Christmas Mice is a touching tale with a powerful message that will delight young readers of all ages. The book is available in paperback at Amazon, and in paperback at Barnes & Noble. It is also available for your Kindle.


About the Author
John White is an internationally-known author in the fields of consciousness research and higher human development. His writing has appeared in magazines and newspapers around the world, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Reader's Digest, Omni, Esquire and Woman's Day, and his books have been translated into ten languages. He holds a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and a master of arts degree in teaching from Yale University. He has served on the governing and consulting boards of various academic and research organizations. He has also lectured at various colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Canada, and has made numerous radio and television appearances.

About the Illustrator
Dorothy L. Hall is an illustrator, art teacher, and cartoonist. She worked as a visual journalist for 20 years and taught Newspaper Design and Magazine Editing and Production at Southern Conn. State University. During the 70’s she was a muralist for the Peabody Museum in New Haven, Connecticut, and has had seven one-woman shows of her paintings.

NYT Columnist Paul Krugman Highlights The Great Illusion and War in Ukraine

A recently published column in The New York Times entitled "Why We Fight Wars" by economic columnist Paul Krugman, refers to the 1910 Cosimo Classic, The Great Illusion. 


Krugman states: "A century has passed since the start of World War I, which many people at the time declared was 'the war to end all wars.' Unfortunately, wars just kept happening. And with the headlines from Ukraine getting scarier by the day, this seems like a good time to ask why." 

The Great Illusion, written by Norman Angell, argued that war destroys any wealth that conquerors may have wanted to obtain, making the whole enterprise pointless. This book was published just shortly before World War I began and obviously Angell's advice was not followed nor taken seriously then. Will Angell's and Krugman's advice be followed now before it is too late?

To read the full article by Paul Krugman, please visit The New York Times.

British journalist and politician Sir Ralph Norman Angell (1872-1967) was an executive for the World Committee against War and Fascism and a member of the executive committee of the League of Nations Union. Knighted in 1931, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1933. For more titles on war and peace, please see Angell's other titles, including: Peace Theories and the Balkan War and The Fruits of Victory.

July Classic of the Month: The Great Illusion by Sir Norman Angell

Cosimo is happy to announce our July Classic of the Month, The Great Illusion by Sir Norman Angell.


First published in 1909, The Great Illusion sets out to answer one of the greatest questions in human history: Why is there war? Specifically, Angell wishes to discuss why there is war between the countries of Europe, which seem to always be at one another's throats. Angell refutes the belief that military power results in greater wealth and instead proposes that advanced economies based on trade and contract law can only generate value in the absence of military upset. War destroys any wealth that conquerors may have wanted to obtain, making the whole enterprise pointless. A deep understanding of this would, then, end the need for war. Perfect for those readers immersing themselves in war classics for the 100th year anniversary of World War I.


About the Author
British journalist and politician Sir Ralph Norman Angell (1872-1967) was an executive for the World Committee against War and Fascism and a member of the executive committee of the League of Nations Union. Knighted in 1931, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1933. From 1905 to 1912, he was the Paris editor for the Daily Mail, and served as a Labour MP from 1929 to 1931. He is also the author of Peace Theories and the Balkan War and The Fruits of Victory.

Cosimo is proud to offer both paperback and hardcover editions of The Great Illusion at leading online bookstores including Barnes & Noble (paperback, hardcover), and Amazon (paperback, hardcover).

June Book of the Month: The Book of Balance

Cosimo's June Book of the Month is the The Book of Balance, by Yasuhiko Genku Kimura. A modern, visionary translation of the classic ancient text Tao Teh Ching by Lao Tzu, The Book of Balance will provide a foundation for peace, tranquility, and harmony to all who read it. It's the perfect read to start your summer off on the right note.

Yasuhiko Genku Kimura is the publisher and editor-in-chief of the VIA Journal, and chairman and president of Vision-In-Action, a non-profit organization promoting the development of creative thinking and visionary action. His other books include The Twilight Manifesto, Think Kosmically Act Globally, Virtues of Love, and The Twilight Club and the Creation of a Moral Community. He has also published numerous articles, essays, and translations on philosophy, transformational ethis, the philosophy of science, and business strategy. His business consulting and personal growth programs integrate a Socratic and Zen-like teaching style that stimulates participants' awareness of their self-knowledge and power of transformation. You can contact Yasuhiko online at his website or on his Facebook page.

Edgar Mitchell Honored with Key to the City of Petaluma

Last month, Cosimo author and Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell was honored as a veteran and astronaut for dedicating his life to serve mankind.  

The award,  the key to the city of Petaluma, was given by the mayor of Petaluma on October 27, 2012, was given in recognition of Edgar Mitchell's services to his country as a Korean War veteran, Apollo 14 astronaut, the Founder of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, and his dedication to promoting peace and enlightenment for mankind.

Please join us in congratulating Mr. Mitchell for this auspicious achievement.