anza publishing jun 2008 (4 Ergebnisse)

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware - In lively and witty prose, Albert Rhodes describes in The French at Home the allures and foibles of the Gallic race. Early in American history, before certain prejudices had set in, this diplomat living in France shows the varied facets of French life, in an age when traditional ideas still predominated. Using many charming examples, Rhodes addresses such subjects as chivalry, speech, epigrams, dress, food - all the things that make the French so distinctive.Rhodes had many opportunities to observe European life during a lengthy foreign residence in the consular and diplomatic service; and the results of his observations are presented here in a form that could be considered both brilliant and instructive. Rhodes not only conveys the ordinary activities he observed as a resident in France, but he also attempts to look deeply into the French character, into a nation's 'personality', to perceive what makes them better or worse than Americans. The French at Home is a long neglected book that brings to life the manners and customs of the French at a time when the codes of gallantry were still in force, and art and culture were held in high esteem.Americans have always made rather interesting appraisals of the French. On the one hand, the citizens of the New World have criticized their European counterparts for their social instability, their love of monarchy, their preoccupation with finery, their lack of interest in industrialism; yet at the same time, they have admired their elegance, traditions, art, music and great international influence. Rhodes was well aware of his young nation's uncertain, and at times unreasonable, assessments of this old European country, and his theories about the origins of these views make for fascinating reading.The French at Home is a uniquely rewarding work for both Americans and Frenchmen who desire to understand the cultural factors that shape current international public opinions.Albert Rhodes was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1840. He held many important government positions, representing America abroad. During the administration of President Johnson, he was United States consul at Jerusalem, and under President Grant, he was consul at Rotterdam and charge d'affaires at the Hague. He was also consul at Rouen, France, and at Elberfeld, Germany, from 1877 to 1885. Rhodes frequently contributed to American, French, and British periodicals, largely on the characteristics of life and people on the European continent. Among his books are Jerusalem as it Is (London, 1867); and Monsieur at Home (London, 1886).Paul Dennis Sporer has edited other important works that describe and examine uniquely American social and psychological issues, such as An Incident of Travel, by Arthur Jerome Eddy, End of an Era, by John Sergeant Wise, and Newer Ideals of Peace by Jane Addams.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware - General Robert E. Lee uttered to Albert Bledsoe these important words: 'You have a great work to do; we all look to you for our vindication'. The 'work' Lee was referring to was in essence a Confederate political bible, that would clarify and explain the principles of self-determination upon which the Secession from the United States of America was based. Bledsoe was truly inspired to write a most deftly argued book defending the South's 'unthinkable' action. This treatise, originally called Is Davis a Traitor , is finally returned to print in a new edition, with a new preface and index.Albert Taylor Bledsoe (1809-1877) could be characterized as a traditionalist, an 'unreconstructed Southerner', a fighter for various causes and a firm believer in the dangers of modernism and foreign influence. Yet he was no stooge working for the Southern 'Brahmins'- he was an intelligent man of letters, soldier and educator, clergyman and lawyer, friend of wealthy men, social investigator, and seasoned traveler. Because of his intellectual perspicacity, and his connections to important leaders in the South, he became an apologist for the Southern Confederacy, and the pre-war Southern 'mentality'.Is Secession Treason represents the pinnacle of Bledsoe's work. The centerpiece of his position is the critical distinction between the words 'constitution' and 'compact'. Drawing from the texts of numerous political and philosophical documents, he presents ample justification for the assertion that the union of former colonies in the 1780s was voluntary and not perpetual, and their inherent independence was not taken away by their acceding to the 'compact' that joined them. Limitation on the power of the central authority over the states was actually a key factor in the minds of the participants attending the Constitutional Convention, as the author so ably proves. In the pursuit of honesty and openness, Bledsoe strives to present both sides of the debate, and states with great clarity and force the positions of Webster, Madison, Jefferson, Hamilton, Calhoun and many others.After careful reflection and analysis, he arrives at two powerful conclusions: Secession was allowed under the Constitution, and the military attack by the Federal government on the Confederacy was illegal. So well-reasoned were his arguments, that his book proved to be a source of material for the defense of Jefferson Davis, President of the Southern Confederacy, from charges of treason.Despite Albert Bledsoe's unwavering devotion to his beloved homeland, one could say that his treatise is more of a fair and balanced treatment of Secession, than many recently published works covering the same subject.Paul Dennis Sporer has edited other books that contribute to the understanding of the complex social and political dynamics of the American Civil War period, such as End of an Era, by John Sergeant Wise, Half a Century, by Jane Swisshelm, and Tupelo by James Hill Aughey.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware - This highly rewarding work goes back to a time when theological discussion was not considered 'heavy'. It contains an inspirational treatment of the subject of conversion, and sees faith as creating fresh possibilities that can lead to great accomplishments. In modest, inspiring, but still powerful language, it puts forward many important ideas using a sensible, logical plan that helps the individual interact with God in his new-found spiritual life.As the title suggests, The New Birth views the concept of conversion as a momentous, singular event. Austin Phelps discusses the subject in relation to the subjects of guilt, self-respect, ritual, laws, mysticism, regeneration, the power of truth, the role of the preacher, and personal responsibility. Phelps strikes just the right balance of advice, admonition, dogma and social commentary. His writing is almost poetic, yet it is also steady, careful, straightforward and compelling.Although Phelps saw great value in the spreading of ideas through preaching, he perceived this form of address as more than a lecture; indeed, it was a kind of conversation, where people could stop to think, ask questions, and proceed to learn further. The author understood that the profundities of Christianity could not be laid out in a simple sermon; they need to be ex-pounded upon with a great diligence and earnestness, in direct language that does not trivialize, but still maintains the purity of the fundamental concept.Austin Phelps' books are, generally speaking, devotional, homiletical, and theological in character. The Still Hour was published in 1860 in both America and Britain, and was extremely popular, selling some 200,000 copies. He also published a number of books about the difficult and varied tasks of a minister: The Theory of Preaching; Lectures on Homiletics (1881); Men and Books; or Studies in Homiletics (1882); My Study and Other Essays (1886) Rhetoric; Its Theory and Practice (1895).Paul Dennis Sporer has edited other significant books that deal with the complex dynamics of personal growth and transformation, such as The Missionary, by Samuel Mazzuchelli, Half a Century, by Jane Swisshelm, and Born Three Times by Thomas L. Johnson.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware - A masterpiece of psychological evaluation of culture, religion, patriotism and rebellion, The Heart of Âryâvarta is a penetrating investigation of a complex society at a critical time in its history. At the beginning of the 20th century, India's evolving nationalist movement, led by educated and cultured men such as Gandhi, was gaining strength. The British, whose colonial agencies had dominated Indian life for generations, were unable to fathom this desire for independence. Lawrence Dundas (1876-1961), a statesman and administrator, unlike most of his countrymen, did not contemptuously dismiss this movement, but committed himself to fully understanding the underlying economic and political factors that drove forward its systematic rejection of British rule.However, Dundas takes the discussion much further than politics. Using first-hand observation, as well as in-depth research, he articulates the positive goals of the Indian nationalists, which were founded on the idea of a return to a golden age of peace, wisdom, and fulfilment that existed before the arrival of the colonialists. He also sagaciously analyses the complex social and intellectual mechanisms that regulated, stifled or encouraged the attacks on the institutions of British colonial authority. These mechanisms were often outwardly expressed as religious concepts, some quite startling in their ingenuity. In fact, Dundas believed it was essential to understand these remarkable 'myths', and he explains them at length, in a manner that a Westerner can easily comprehend.The author, an aide-de-camp and biographer of the famous Lord Curzon, was extremely unusual, in being a high-ranking political official in India with a scholarly interest in sociology, psychology, metaphysics and history. His studies resulted in a very original analysis of current affairs, social class, educational goals, morality and ethics. One might argue that in certain ways he resembled, and even surpassed, Carl Jung in his interpretation of Indian symbolism and cosmology. The Heart of Âryâvarta is an ambitious work that is almost unique in its impressive ability to reconcile the mystical with the political.Despite his position and background, Dundas demonstrates that he has a profound knowledge of the deep-seated human need for social and cultural development free from external interference. He sympathises with the difficulties of the Indian people, and sincerely attempts to see their desire for autonomy from their perspective.Paul Dennis Sporer has edited other important works that analyze the intersection of social, cultural and political factors, such as Is Secession Treason , by Albert Bledsoe, Newer Ideals of Peace, by Jane Addams, and The French at Home, by Albert Rhodes.