London has harbored many curious characters, but few more curious than the artist and visionary Austin Osman Spare (1886–1956).A controversial enfant terrible of the Edwardian art world, the young Spare was hailed as a genius and a new Aubrey Beardsley, while George Bernard Shaw reportedly said "Spare's medicine is too strong for the average man."But Spare was never made for worldly success and he went underground, falling out of the gallery system to live in pover...

A witty, erudite primer to the world's most notorious drink.La Fée Verte (or "The Green Fairy") has intoxicated artists, poets, and writers ever since the late eighteenth century. Stories abound of absinthe's drug-like sensations of mood lift and inspiration due to the presence of wormwood, its infamous "special" ingredient, which ultimately leads to delirium, homicidal mania, and death. Opening with the sensational 1905 Absinthe Murders, Phil Baker offers a cultur...

The earliest Christian document outside of the New Testament is almost certainly The Didache, which is also known as The Lord's Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations. In its final chapter, the author says that in the last days, the sheep will turn into wolves and the Deceiver of the world will commit abominations that have never been seen since the world began. Is this what Paul had in mind when he wrote 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12?In The Final Abominable Temple, Baker tra...

In Faithful Witness, Phil Baker explains the theology of martyrdom that developed over the first 300 years of Christianity, and why that theology proved so powerful in the early years of the faith. Though many examples of early Christian martyrdom will be told, the intent of this book is not to simply give the accounts these martyrs' stories. This book is more about the why than the what.Why did they choose faithfulness over fear? Why did they choose dying over killing? Why did the...

A revised edition of Phil Baker’s critically lauded biography of artist and occultist, Austin Osman Spare.London has harbored many curious characters, but few more curious than the artist and visionary Austin Osman Spare (1886–1956).A controversial enfant terrible of the Edwardian art world, the young Spare was hailed as a genius and a new Aubrey Beardsley, while George Bernard Shaw reportedly said “Spare’s medicine is too strong for the average ma...

Definitive study of Wheatley and the world he lived in, providing along the way an enthralling social history of the 20th century.

In The Faith Once Delivered Volume 1: 50 Days with the Disciples of the Apostles, I show you, the reader, how the second generation of Jesus followers continued to believe, teach and live the words of our Lord. Imagine spending 50 days with men like Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp of Smyrna, who were personally discipled by the original Apostles! I encourage you to join me on this journey and let these ancient writings deepen and refine your faith.

In Faithful Witness, Phil Baker explains the theology of martyrdom that developed over the first 300 years of Christianity, and why that theology proved so powerful in the early years of the faith. Though many examples of early Christian martyrdom will be told, the intent of this book is not to simply give the accounts these martyrs’ stories. This book is more about the why than the what.Why did they choose faithfulness over fear? Why did they choose dyin...

The earliest Christian document outside of the New Testament is almost certainly The Didache, which is also known as The Lord’s Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations. In its final chapter, the author says that in the last days, the sheep will turn into wolves and the Deceiver of the world will commit abominations that have never been seen since the world began. Is this what Paul had in mind when he wrote 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12?In The Final Abomin...

City of cities, the modern world’s first great metropolis, London has shaped everything from clothing to youth culture. It has a unique place in the world’s memory, even as its role has changed from the capital of the planet to its playground, and as its lived history has mutated into the heritage industry.Londoner Phil Baker explores the city’s history, and the London of today, balancing well-known major events with more curious and eccentric details. He reveals a city of almost un...

This is the eBook version of the printed book.This Element is an excerpt from From Concept to Consumer: How to Turn Ideas Into Money (9780137137473) by Phil Baker. Available in print and digital formats.Choose the right distribution for your product: assess the tradeoffs and maximize the opportunities.“Build it, and they will come.” That rarely happens. Not only do you need a marketing program, but also a plan to get your product to customers. What are your...

One of the giants of popular fiction, with total sales of around fifty million books, Dennis Wheatley held twentieth-century Britain spellbound. His Black Magic novels like The Devil Rides Out created an oddly seductive and luxurious vision of Satanism, but in reality he was as interested in politics as occultism. Wheatley was closely involved with the secret intelligence community, and this powerfully researched study shows just how directly this drove his work, from his unlikely warnings...