Literature in Art Books

My wife and I have been avid readers of Mark & Sherri Devaney books for quite some time now. Needless to say, their latest installment did not disappoint. This is the most informative assessment of Senator Obama I have read to date. While this book would make a perfect Christmas gift, it would certainly be appropriate for any special occasion! Kudos to the authors; my wife and I will look forward to your next work.

My twin boys have been playing basketball since they were eight years old. They are now 12 and say this is the best book they have ever read to assist them with their game. In fact, their whole team each have one now. They re-named it "The BB". (basketball bible)!

Originally published in German in 1956 as "Verwundung und Tod in der Ilias", by Peter Jones and now published in a new edition as Battle And Battle Description In Homer: A Contribution To The History Of War by the editorial and translation team of Peter Jones, Malcolm Willcock and Gabriele Wright is now expertly available in English (the Greek passages as well as the German), and enhanced with a preface that places the work in terms of oral theory, as well as a full appendix. Though Battle And Battle Description In Homer acknowledges that Homer is a poet, not a staff instructor, author Albracht applies the Homeric text to create a convincing scene of how the workings of battle proceeded in the Iliad, from the council of war, to marshalling troops, the use of chariots, massed attack and defense, retreat, flight, pursuit, protection in the field, attack and defense of a fortified camp, the siege and defense of a fortified city, and much more. An in-depth, scholarly yet fascinating close study of what classic literature can tell us of military strategy, tactics, and history.

An exciting account of medieval sexuality? Surprisingly, yes. Loyola University English professor Frantzen brings the "shadows" of same-sex relations ("as closely attached to heterosexual relations as shadows are to their objects") into relief by highlighting their centrality in everything from operatic "trouser roles," in which women dress as men in ambiguous visions of female-female desire, to the dances of Mark Morris, which "offer gay people entertainment and affirmation of the highest order." Turning to his specialty, Frantzen reveals an Anglo-Saxon world much less prudish than we are accustomed to imagining. Where "queer theory" has sought to uncover gay liberation in the past, his "assimilationist" model never limits same-sex desire to genital contact. An engaging and witty guide to tales of cross-dressing saints, legal codes paying much more attention to heterosexual than homosexual misbehavior and references to "Sodom and Gomorrah" less severe than one would expect, he discovers both self-identified same-sex lovers and a culture that allowed them a certain license. Pointing out the nationalist chauvinism of the numerous historians who have labeled William the Conqueror's son gay, Frantzen also makes clear the vast difference between medieval and modern conceptions of sexual identity. Frantzen's marvelous book, concluding with a fascinating discussion of how Angels in America reverses Anglo-Saxon codes of national unification, opens up a world most readers will never have even known was there. It's a difficult topic, but Frantzen's comprehensive, readable and even wryly funny treatment makes this an unexpected pleasure. (0ct.)

I've read this story about James Wolfe, truly he was a hero. Anyone who loves great history would be riveted by the details.

This little gem of a book features color reproductions of several paintings created by Emily Carr. Each image is paired with a bit of her writing, so that one has a sense of what she was thinking during or shortly after painting a particular landscape. This book is an ideal introduction to the art and prose of Emily Carr--not too long and not too short. It makes me want to see and hear more from this admirable Canadian woman.

The introduction to this book (free to Kindle users) is also an excellent introduction to the history of Beowulf scholarship. I'm afraid I can't address the rest of the book; the price is rather high for the non-specialist. (It seems to have a remarkably high sales rank, given its high price and recondite subject.)

Compiled by Joshua Rutsky, Beyond The Bard: Fifty Plays For Use In The English Classroom offers summaries of the themes, set requirements, planning ideas and more of fifty different plays classroom teachers can utilize as part of the curriculums for their English Literature classes. A superb catalog that carefully outlines the works its presents and offers "red flags" as to any suggestive or possibly inappropriate material, before discriminating teachers have to pay expensive royalties for right to peruse and perform the plays themselves, Beyond The Bard: Fifty Plays For Use In The English Classroom is a unique and very highly recommended contribution to Highschool and College English Department and Theater Department curriculum supplementation and reference collections.

This well conceived book is essential for anyone interested in Latina literature. It is very complete and easy to use. It should be in all research libraries.

This book really told the untold story of William Inge, a great American playwright. He is not as well know as his long time friend, Tenessee Williams, but this piece gives him the parise he deserves. The look into his inner mind hepls to understand his masterfull plays even better. I reccommend this book to any Inge fan, or evn any one who thinks themself a dramatist!