A lavishly illustrated, in-depth early history covering two thousand years of diamond jewelry and commerce, from the Indian mines to European merchants, courts, and workshopsThis richly illustrated history of diamonds illuminates myriad facets of the "king of gems," including a cast of larger-than-life characters such as Alexander the Great, the Mughal emperor Jahangir, and East India Company adventurers. It's an in-depth study tracing the story of diamonds from their early mining a...

This book is a comprehensive overview of four and a half thousand years of jewelry technology—from the dawn of the Bronze Age to the end of the medieval period, including chapters on design, gold refining and testing, the goldsmiths themselves and the perennial problem of fakes. It will appeal to curators, conservators, collectors, archaeologists, practicing goldsmiths and all those interested in history and crafts. The author concentrates on what can be observed without recourse to specia...

Isles of Shadow and Wonder - 7 Classic Exotic Travel & Mystery Stories invites readers into an enthralling exploration of mysterious islands, charting the nebulous boundary between the real and the fantastical. This collection brings together diverse literary styles ranging from the adventure-laden narratives of maritime excursions to the enigmatic undercurrents of investigative mysteries. Unified by their exploration of otherworldly locales, these tales transcend simple escapism, offering...

Across Wild Continents - 8 Classic Jungles, Deserts & Frontiers Stories offers a sweeping journey through untamed landscapes and exhilarating adventures. This anthology comprises a rich tapestry of narratives that traverse jungles, deserts, and frontiers, capturing the essence of exploration and survival. The collection's strength lies in its diverse portrayal of natural challenges and human courage, skillfully blending realism and imagination. Readers will encounter tales that range from ...

This book recounts the amazing life story of a 16-year-old American Revolutionary-era soldier, including his captivity, adoption, and eventual flight to freedom from the Iroquois Six-Nation Indian tribes. The story is retold with historical accuracy and an even-handed treatment of the conflicting interests of the loyalists, Iroquois, and Patriots.David Ogden was born into an unusually tumultuous time in America—the colonials were struggling to throw off the yoke of...

In 'Where the Waves Meet Winter - 4 Classic Far North Maritime Stories,' readers are invited to traverse the icy expanses and tumultuous seas of the Far North through a tapestry of narratives rich in adventure and human endurance. This anthology brings together a confluence of styles, from thrilling high-sea escapades to deeply introspective accounts of survival against nature's elements. The collection anchors itself in the literary context of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a per...

Mutiny Under Moonlit Sails - 8 Classic High Seas Stories of Pirates & Peril sails through treacherous waters of literary exploration, capturing the allure and danger of the pirate's life. This anthology encompasses an array of storytelling styles, from the robust journalism of Jack London to the imaginative adventures of Robert Louis Stevenson. Engaging in themes of rebellion, survival, and the eternal battle between man and sea, the collection artfully compiles narratives showcasing the d...

Female athletes are too often perceived as interlopers in the historically male-dominated world of sports. Obstacles specific to women are of particular focus in A Locker Room of Her Own. Race, sexual orientation, and the similar qualities ancillary to gender bear special exploration in how they impact an athlete's story. Central to this volume is the contention that women in their role as inherent outsiders are placed in a unique position even more complicated than the usual expe...

Timothy E. Wise presents the first book to focus specifically on the musical content of yodeling in our culture. He shows that yodeling serves an aesthetic function in musical texts. A series of chronological chapters analyzes this musical tradition from its earliest appearances in Europe to its incorporation into a range of American genres and beyond. Wise posits the reasons for yodeling’s changing status in our music. How and why was yodeling introduced into professional music making in ...

Fame to Infamy: Race, Sport, and the Fall from Grace follows the paths of sports figures who were embraced by the general populace but who, through a variety of circumstances, real or imagined, found themselves falling out of favor with the public. The contributors focus on the roles played by athletes, the media, and fans in describing how once-esteemed popular figures find themselves scorned by the same public that at one time viewed them as heroic, laudable, or otherwise respec...

Contributions by Lisa Doris Alexander, Matthew H. Barton, Andrew C. Billings, Carlton Brick, Ted M. Butryn, Brian Carroll, Arthur T. Challis, Roxane Coche, Curtis M. Harris, Jay Johnson, Melvin Lewis, Jack Lule, Rory Magrath, Matthew A. Masucci, Andrew McIntosh, Jorge E. Moraga, Leigh M. Moscowitz, David C. Ogden, Joel Nathan Rosen, Kevin A. Stein, and Henry YuIn this fifth book on sport and the nature of reputation, editors Lisa Doris Alexander and Joel Nathan Rosen have tasked th...

Fame to Infamy: Race, Sport, and the Fall from Grace follows the paths of sports figures who were embraced by the general populace but who, through a variety of circumstances, real or imagined, found themselves falling out of favor. The contributors focus on the roles played by athletes, the media, and fans in describing how once-esteemed popular figures find themselves scorned by the same public that at one time viewed them as heroic, laudable, or otherwise respectable.Th...