The 'ballet d'action' was one of the most successful and controversial forms of theatre in the early modern period. A curious hybrid of dance, mime and music, its overall and overriding intention was to create drama. It was danced drama rather than dramatic dance, musical drama rather than dramatic music. Most modern critical studies of the ballet d'action treat it more narrowly as stage dance and very few view it as part of the history of mime. Little use has previously been made of the m...

This volume analyses the nature of the mime art of Deburau and of the pantomime performances of the Théâtre des Funambules in Paris in the context of Romantic art, literature and socio-political thought.Deburau and the Théâtre des Funambules are characteristic of Romantic art in that they are closely associated with certain aspirations for social reform, even revolution. Deburau was an iconic figure for intellectuals such as George Sand who effectively considered him to be part of ...

Fully revised and updated version of the 1960 classic. A must for Civil War buffs, amateur and professional alike.

A comprehensive history of the Battle of Gettysburg by one of today's leading historians.The greatest of all Civil War campaigns, Gettysburg was the turning point of the turning point in our nation’s history. Volumes have been written about this momentous three-day battle, but recent histories have tended to focus on the particulars rather than the big picture: on the generals or on single days of battle—even on single charges—or on the daily lives of the soldiers....

Reading was so important to Marcel Proust that it sometimes seems he was unable to create a personage without a book in hand. Everybody in his work reads: servants and masters, children and parents, artists and physicians. The more sophisticated characters find it natural to speak in quotations. Proust made literary taste a means of defining personalities and gave literature an actual role to play in his novels.In this wonderfully entertaining book, scholar and biographer Anka Muhls...

This National Bestseller is a "gripping narrative. . . . the best one-volume history of the decisive battle of the Civil War" ( New York Times Book Review ).America's Civil War raged for more than four years, but it is the three days of fighting in the Pennsylvania countryside in July 1863 that continues to fascinate, appall, and inspire new generations with its unparalleled saga of sacrifice and courage. From Chancellorsv...

Language, education, politics, and music come together in Katherine Bergeron's Voice Lessons, a study of the French mélodie in the Belle Epoque. Close readings of songs by Fauré, Debussy, and Ravel, along with poems, sound recordings, and other historical documents, seek to uncovers the cultural meanings of this art: why it emerged, why it mattered, and why it eventually disappeared.

Could the South have won the Civil War?To many, the very question seems absurd. After all, the Confederacy had only a third of the population and one-eleventh of the industry of the North. Wasn’t the South’s defeat inevitable?Not at all, as acclaimed military historian Bevin Alexander reveals in this provocative and counterintuitive new look at the Civil War. In fact, the South most definitely could have won the war, and Alexander documents exactly how a Confederate victory...

Boasting one of Western culture's oldest and richest literary traditions, French literature has long been a pioneer of style and innovation. From the farcical comedies of Moliere to the torment of Baudelaire's verse, it has inspired writers and artists everywhere throughout the ages. This comprehensive Beginner's Guide tells French literature's compelling story from the beginning right up to today. Highlighting its distinct qualities, Carol Clark explores how the literary styles of differe...

In "From Manassas to Appomattox: Memoirs of the Civil War in America (Illustrated Edition)," James Longstreet offers a compelling first-person account of his experiences during one of the most tumultuous periods in American history. Written with a striking immediacy, this meticulously detailed memoir captures the essence of Civil War battles, strategic decisions, and the personal dilemmas faced by soldiers. Longstreet's narrative is imbued with a reflective tone, providing both a military ...

The late-nineteenth century in Europe was a period of profound political, social, and technological change. One result of these changes was the rise in France of an upper-bourgeois bohemian class. Many of its members stimulated interest in unique forms of artistic expression such as illustrated books. On account of their influence, an atmosphere of intense bibliophilic activity came to define French culture at the turn of the century. The New Bibliopolis explores the role of a...

A "fascinating illumination of little-known accounts and personalities" by two experts on the Battle of Gettysburg ( Civil War News).The historiography of Gettysburg's second day is usually dominated by the Union's successful defense of Little Round Top—but the day's most influential action occurred nearly one mile west along the Emmitsburg Road, in farmer Joseph Sherfy's peach orchard. This is the first full-length study of this pivotal action.On ...