Jean Francois-Revel, a pillar of French intellectual life in the late 20th C, became world famous for his challenges to both Communism and Christianity. Forty years ago, his son, Matthieu Ricard, gave up a promising career as a scientist to study Tibetan Buddhism -- not as a detached observer but by immersing himself in its practice under the guidance of its greatest living masters.  The Monk and the Philosopher: A Father and Son Discuss the Meaning of Life is the resulting story.

The book is a first edition hardcover in English. It's in "great condition" says the donor, a "beautiful book with Matthieu's signature!"

Donor and former BBC interviewer Phil Cartwright conducted the following interview with Matthieu Ricard following the release of the book:  https://soundcloud.com/phillc/matthieu-ricard