This is an in-depth study of the intellectual, technical, and artistic encounters between Europe and China in the late eighteenth century, focusing on the purposeful acquisition of information and images that characterized a direct engagement with the idea of "China."The central figure in this story is Henri-Léonard Bertin (1720–1792), who served as a minister of state under Louis XV and, briefly, Louis XVI. Both his official position and personal passion for all things Chinese pla...

Spanning from the classical sculpture of Ancient Rome to contemporary performance art, this vibrantly illustrated guide provides a rich overview of art history, covering many topics explored in a history of art degree. Learn to distinguish Impressionism from Post-Impressionism, analyze a painting's brush strokes and discover the influences of Pablo Picasso.Written by expert art historian John Finlay, A Degree in a Book: Art History is presented in an attractive landscape f...

Moving from the Near East and Middle East (or Western Asia) across to the Pacific and Oceania by way of India, China and Japan, this beautifully illustrated book looks at 100 of the most fascinating works of art to have been created throughout this vast geographical area. Whether it be an example of indigenous art, a Japanese woodblock print, an architectural gem, such as Angkor Wat, a fine porcelain or alabaster vase, an incredible item of jewellery or a delicate and intricate miniature P...

Stories of war and conflict form the backbone of much of the Western literary canon, portraying a certain image of heroism, stoicism, and survival in the face of violence. War and Imagination challenges the canon with essays, short stories, and a wide variety of perspectives.Paying particular attention to the twentieth century and prioritizing the writings of civilians, the works highlighted in War and Imagination offer an opportunity to challenge representations ...

Though not a household name for the general public, Kent Finlay (1938–2015) was one of the world’s best-known and best-loved promoters, mentors, and gurus of Texas music. In 1974, he founded the Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos as a venue for live music and an incubator for young talent. In 1977, he drove to Nashville and took with him a young, unknown singer named George Strait. On that trip, Strait recorded a demo that laid the initial foundation of his sensational career. Finlay’...

John's Gospel presents a compelling eyewitness account of Jesus' mission. It is written in simple language but consists of a rich profusion of ideas and themes that challenge the most learned scholars and can overwhelm the understanding of ordinary readers. Surprisingly, part of this complexity arises from the observation that the text appears to be rich in chiastic structures. This literary form is a Jewish style of writing, in which a series of ideas or themes is developed and then repea...

Influenced at a young age by classic country, Tejano, western swing, and the popular music of wartime America, blues musician Delbert McClinton grew up with a backstage pass to some of the most significant moments in American cultural and music history. From his birth on the high plains of West Texas during World War II to headlining sold-out cruises on chartered luxury ships well into his seventies, McClinton admits he has been “One of the Fortunate Few.”This book chronicles McCli...

This program features multicast narration.**A USA Today Bestseller!From “one of the genre’s most exciting voices” (E! News) comes one of the year’s most-anticipated thrillers.**For the past five years, Ryan Richardson has relived that terrible night. The car door ripping open. The crushing blow to the head. The hands yanking him from the vehicle. His girlfriend Ali’s piercing scream as she is taken.With no trace of Ali or the car, a...

Postcolonialism and Political Theory explores the intersection between the political and the postcolonial through an engagement with, critique of, and challenge to some of the prevalent, restrictive tenets and frameworks of Western political and social thought. It is a response to the call by postcolonial studies, as well as to the urgent need within world politics, to turn towards a multiplicity-largely excluded from globally dominant discourses of community, subjectivity, power ...

“Here be dragons . . . and a lot of stories that would make a dragon blink. A fascinating kaleidoscope of people and places and Things That Might Have Been—or Might Be.” —Diana Gabaldon, New York Times bestselling authorFrom Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea to Journey to the Center of the Earth, from the fabled island of Avalon to the lost oasis of Zerzura, from The Land That Time Forgot to the golden city of El Dorado, storytellers have long imagined...

Many books and essays have addressed the broad sweep of Texas music—its multicultural aspects, its wide array and blending of musical genres, its historical transformations, and its love/hate relationship with Nashville and other established music business centers. This book, however, focuses on an essential thread in this tapestry: the Texas singer-songwriters to whom the contributors refer as “ruthlessly poetic.” All songs require good lyrics, but for these songwriters, the poetic qualit...