The enquiry is a very natural one, for what greater contrast can there be than between the dark and hopeless terrors of the Inferno, the tender consolations of the Purgatorio, and the serene splendours of the Paradiso, the very Holy of Holies of the Divine Comedy, where hope is no longer needed, because it has been already realized? In the Purgatorio alone does Hope exist, for be it remembered that Dante's examination on Hope by St. James in the Paradiso does not refer to either of the thr...

Ante-Bellum Thomas County, 1825–1861 by William Warren Rogers is a richly detailed study of one Georgia county during the decades leading up to the Civil War. Through meticulous research in county records, newspapers, and personal documents, Rogers reconstructs the social, economic, and political life of Thomas County, offering a microcosm of the broader antebellum South.The book examines how the cotton economy shaped nearly every aspect of local life, from plantation weal...

We are rapidly approaching the point of no return on climate change.Climate and the Courage of Leadership addresses this critical moment with clarity and urgency. It explores why current political systems struggle to act and presents four specific, actionable solutions that governments can implement to move us toward a more sustainable future.Modern democracies face a difficult dilemma. To meet public expectations, they must fund essential services, but often do so by relyi...

This handy field guide introduces 55 tropical plant species. Each exotic bloom is described in detail, its history of origination is discussed and gardening tips are given. There is a wealth of botanical detail, as well as fascinating information on the cultural uses of flowers. An indispensible guide to both common and unusual plants, the book is illustrated with over 120 beautiful color photographs. Clearly presented for easy identification, Tropical Flowers is a "must" for gard...

Traces the little-known story of the bitter contest for the fate of the University of Alabama after the Civil War.In The Battle for the University of Alabama, William Warren Rogers Jr. gives a fascinating account of the fierce struggle over the nature of the University of Alabama after the Civil War. Union forces reduced the campus to ruins as the war ended, and the university did not reopen until 1869. In the interregnum, powerful forces shifted ...

This beautiful gardening book—full of lush photographs and insightful commentary—will surely give readers some new ideas for their home landscaping projects or Bali travel plans.Born of volcanic eruptions many eons ago, Bali is still in the throes of creation as man and nature continue to transform its landscapes. Balinese Gardens presents a unique portrait of the lush volcanic landscapes and gardens found on this magical isle—gardens which are further enh...

Learn all about beautiful tropical flowers with this useful and portable reference book.This handy pocket guide introduces 55 plant species commonly found in the Tropics. Each exotic bloom is described in detail, its history of origination discussed and gardening tips are given. Illustrated with over 120 beautiful color photographs, this book contains a wealth of botanical details, as well as fascinating information on the cultural uses of flowers. A "must" for gar...

Having gained international renown as Bangkok's most 'celebrated social center', the house Jim Thompson built on the banks of the Klong Maha Nag still preserves the spirit and the legend of the man. The Jim Thompson house, as it is popularly known, was the setting for many parties and dinners which Jim Thompson hosted during his time in Thailand. These were always major social events, and the dining room of the house has seen the likes of New York glitterati and the best of Thai society pa...

Recounts in detail the volatile political period in Alabama following the end of the Civil WarFollowing the end of the Civil War, white Southerners were forced to concede equal rights to those who had been enslaved, ushering in a new and ruthless brand of politics. Suddenly, the status and place of some four million former slaves dominated the national and regional political dialogue. In Alabama, the Republican Party established itself quickly and powerfully with t...

Jim Thompson was already a legend for the James H.W. Thompson Silk Company that he founded, when he disappeared in the Cameron highlands in Malaysia in 1967.

A definitive bicentennial history of Alabama and its place in the American South.Alabama: The History of a Deep South State, Bicentennial Edition is a comprehensive narrative account of the state from its earliest days to the present. This edition, updated to celebrate the state’s bicentennial year, offers a detailed survey of the colorful, dramatic, and often controversial turns in Alabama’s evolution. Organized chronologically and divided into t...

With this superbly written, meticulously researched, and concisely argued study, Rogers has helped deepen our understanding of the Confederate civilian experience.Drawing from a wealth of historic documents and personal papers, William Warren Rogers, Jr., provides a fascinating and detailed political, economic, social, and commercial history of Montgomery from 1860 to 1865. His account begins with an examination of daily life in the city before the war began-how slaves outnumbered ...