From somewhat left of center TheNewReplublic.com brings us an interesting article on Karel Capek and two new books, one about Capek and one by him. For most roboticists, who know only that Capek's play, R.U.R., is the origin of the word Robot, the article contains lots of interesting new information about the man. One of the books, Cross Roads , is a collection of Capeks writing and the other, Karel Capek - Life and Work is a biography.