The Quarrel Books

I am definitely impressed with Branston's first foray into fiction. I picked this book up at a used book store simply because of the cover. Is this a bad way to choose books? Of course. Regardless of how you come across the story, it works on many, many levels.

Branston's style is engaging and entertaining. I wish I could tell you what was so funny about it, but I fear I could not do this tale justice. I laughed out loud at several junctures. The book starts off strong, drags for about 50 pages or so, and then takes off like a rocket towards high comedy.

Whether you're a fan of Cervantes and Don Quixote or not, this is definitely a book worth reading.

Not since Cervantes' original (of which I've been a fan since my teens), has a book captured the essence of Don Quixote de la Mancha as this one. It has also re-captured the spirit of the eccentric soul as well. Richly and originally written, it is by no means pedantic, but a joy to read. This wonderful novel will stretch the imagination and hopefully make the term "Quixotic" part of the vernacular; possibly recruiting a new legion of Cervantes fans. It has certainly inspired me to re-read the original.

Some books put you to sleep, other ones awaken your most creative thoughts and visions.
I love books like this one that can show me things in a new, unpredictable way. Books that make me think and treat me with respect with their intelligent nature.
This novel is much more than just a "story". It is history, in its own way. And even with its ambitious aim of offering a new interpretation of such great characters, it never lets you down. It never disappoints you. Amusing and poetical, sometimes sad but always light in its wonderful truthful tone full of colors and music.

This book is like a finely woven textile of Julian Branston's poetic outlook; that of a writer who follows the literary of the Old Masters. Every scene and situation in this incredible story is crafted with feeling and filled with joy, so that the reader right from the beginning doesn't want to put the book down. One of those books that I will re-read many times.

This is a wonderful book, in so many respects. Even before I was drawn into the plot, I was struck by the beautiful language. Elegant, poetic, refined throughout. (Senor Cervantes must be very pleased with Mr Branston's work!) And then, I felt magically transported into 17th century Spain. The book is a dazzling evocation of Cervantes' life and times, a brilliant weave of facts, fiction and farce. One by one, I was introduced to finely portrayed characters, Cervantes himself, the Old Knight, the Duchess, among others. Then there's the incredible sense of humour. Sometimes it's just a little tickle in the background, at other times, I felt like I was in the middle of some 17th century Laurel and Hardy routine. Branston gives us complete mayhem, utter slapstick, in the most deadpan, elegant language possible. Madly funny. It's so deadpan, it's wonderful. But that's not all. A few moments later, Branston moves into a very different direction. There are delicate studies of interiors, of gardens, there are deeply touching psychological observations. Hilarious at times, deeply touching at other times. It feels as though Cervantes is alive again. And it all ends with a most unexpected twist. I loved it.

The best and most thorough translation of Alain Chartier's classic. I would highly encourage all readers interested in Medieval or francophone litterature to acquire a copy.

Every once in a while in history, criticism of Shakespeare - which has so often attracted some of the best minds - sinks to an almost inexplicably low level of nonsense, grossness, distortion, inaccuracy, etc. Such a period has occurred in the recent past, and has been firmly diagnosed for what it is in a number of books that have appeared in the nineties rather than the eighties. While there were always some critics to warn us against what was happening (Richard Levin was perhaps the most conspicuous example), Vickers's book was nevertheless a milestone when it appeared in 1993. Not only did it mercilessly and convincingly expose much of the unbelievable stuff that passed for work on Shakespeare, but it diagnosed with great clarity the chief flaw of such material: its refusal actually to try and see Shakespeare for what he is doing and its determination instead to put forward the critic's own favourite theoretical (often political) beliefs, thereby "appropriating" Shakespeare for the commentator's own purposes. Thus, in reading such writings, we learn a good deal about the commentator's personal assumptions and beliefs, but little about Shakespeare. This unhealthy tendency - frequently defended by claims that "one cannot be objective anyway", should be "politically engaged", etc. - has of course not yet disappeared, and there is still a good deal of writing in the old, bad eighties mode coming out, but at least it is no longer unchallenged, and Vickers and others have certainly provided a strong antidote. The book is unusually comprehensive in its knowledge of writings on Shakespeare, and derives a good deal of its authority from that fact. In other words, it is for one thing a very full and useful reference book. Some of the reactions to *Appropriating Shakespeare* show that Vickers has made a number of the "appropriating" critics profoundly uncomfortable, and that is how it should be.

Sir Geoffrey is annoyed that his return journey to the Holy Land has been curtailed by a summons from King Henry to attend him at Westminster.

Sir Geoffrey feels his allegiance lies with Prince Tancred in the Holy Land and not with an English King whose right to the throne is dubious, at least in Geoffrey's eyes.

Sir Geoffrey is even more unhappy when he find that the King wishes him to to look into the problem of counterfeit coins being produced at one of the Mints in Bristol and devastated when a list of possible suspects in the operation contains the name of his sister Joan.

The knight sets off with his squire to Bristol in the company of the accusers and the defendants in this crime against the crown. He hopes that he and his friend Sir Roger can solve the crime and exonerate his sister at the same time, but the journey is a slow one and definitely not a smooth one with threats and violence before they have even reached the outskirts of the city . . .

Garrett uses his relationship with his fellow Southern writer, the late Peter Taylor, as a basis to explore issues of personal and regional identity and the demands of a writer's vocation. The way both the real-life originals AND the fictional alter egos are present in the text interrogates the wall between reality and imagination in a way that is provocative, mind-stretching, and always great fun. Garrett is a kind of stealth innovator in American fiction. He does not get the avant-garde headlines, but he has consistently been trying to ramify the creative potential of fictional narrative.

This good historical account is primarily one of naval supremacy in the 16th century, an primarily a view of the English side of the epic conflict with Spain over religion and power.

The Armada was created by Phillip II in 1588 with the hopes of bringing the Catholic church back to England by the Sword. General Parma's troops were massed in the Netherlands to be floated across the channel under the tutelage of the massive Armada made up of Caravels and even Triremes. The Armada was paid for by the Churchs gold, it was to be a crusade. England was a provincial backwater, not yet a sea power, and Elizabeth an untested queen, her captains like Sir Francis Drake were pirates. However the Armada failed. It fell into issues in the Channel, the weather was bad, it blew out to sea, foundered in Ireland(where later Eamon De Velera was a descendant of Catholic shipwrecked Spaniards). Elizabeth and her interesting assortment of naval commanders were made heroes. England gained a defining moment that would be replayed when she faced down both Napoleon and then Hitler across the same Channel and was miraculously saved both times. Protestant Europe survived and as we know much of the world was altered by the victory.

The author is an expert on Maritime studies and specializes in privateering and naval warfare. This makes him an excellent choice for storyteller of this momentous clash, since so much of it rests on the differences in ship design, wheather and captaincy. A good, pleasing read, and a wonderful contribution to the subject matter.

Seth J. Frantzman

Leroy Garrett has endured much criticism from his church for his learned views. Depression era high school dropout that earned a Ph.D. from Harvard, Dr Garrett is only now, being valued for his long held views on church unity. I had the privilege to hear him speak on this subject at the ACU lectureships, and just had to read his autobiography. You have to admire him for his Christlike love for the Church of Christ, and even those in the church who vilified him. But even without this thread of "near ostracism" from the church, that dogs him through his adult years, this would still be a fascinating life to read.
The happy ending is that Dr. Garrett has lived long enough to be honored by many Church institutions and fellow-shipped by many who once called him an enemy of the Church.

This is a welcome return of a book was published in its original form as 1988.

This isn't the sort of book that goes over the nuts & bolts of plot, pacing, characters --an A-Z compendium of things we've heard before. Thomas Farber's meditations on writing places it not as an independent act, but a way of living, breathing, being, and extension of yourself. A collection of short essays, single line thoughts, and anecdotes, there is wisdom to be found, at times reaching deep down --an unseen hand grabbing your soul, gently prodding and revealing what you sense is already there. Not a book to be read quickly, Farber demands your attention and the time to digest precisely what he is saying.

This is based on an episode of the ROAD TO AVONLEA television series that spanned seven years and 91 episodes. This story starts with Rachel Lynde and the other girls gossiping about the past when Romney Penhallow arrives in town! He used to be Hetty King's old beau and he's back to win her heart! These stories are very heartwarming and set at the turn of the century in the town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Mr. W.E.S. Thomas, long 'Student' (fellow), of Christ Church College Oxford, has produced a small accademic gem in THE QUARREL OF MACAULAY AND CROKER. Mr. Thomas' credentials as an expert on Macaulay, Mill, and the Philosophic Radicals are extremely impressive and he is also the only man to thoroughly review and analyze Croker's works and papers since Jennings in the 1880's. Mr. Thomas has applied undoubted powers of political and intellectual insight - rarely found in but one historian - to tremendous knowledge and impeccable research to produce what is undoubtedly the finest work yet published on Croker [pace Brightfield] and the most thought provoking and informed view of Macaulay as historian and politician since John Clive. The narrative of the combat, both literary and political, between Macaulay and Croker is of enduring general interest as an excellent tale, for while the combatants are not evenly matched in reputation I would contend that they are indeed in ability. I would hasten to enjoin the general reader to seriously consider a work that would normally be consigned to scholars in a particular field simply for its clear prose, excellent reasoning, and necessarily wide ranging subject matter. As Macaulay and Croker both dealt with the very greatest questions of the modern world - the nature of government, the existence of progress, and the shape of regimes - Mr. Thomas' analysis and discussion naturally touches on almost all the important questions of political philosophy and historiography. I would further urge anyone with an interest in party politics to look into this work for its treatment of Croker. I have long thought that a feasible case could be made for Croker as the first political 'wonk' or modern political advisor. Croker served as the closest advisor to two prime ministers in difficult times (Wellington and Peel), the first secretary (chief civilian bureaucrat) of the admiralty for the later stages of the Napoleonic wars and its aftermath, a leading authority on Irish questions, and effectively political editor of the most influential journalistic organ of his party. Croker has the added distinction of probably coining the term 'Conservative.' Modern politicians and political advisors in my native city would not find Croker too foreign - in fact I believe that Mr. Thomas' book shows how he combined remarkable accume, understanding of his own position, and an excellent knowledge of history and theory to great effect. Specialists in nineteenth century politics will no doubt know Mr. Thomas' previous work by reputation and that alone should be sufficient to urge them to read this work. Students of literature should also take note of the work as Mr. Thomas has here elaborated his article in last year's fetschrift to John Burrow on the management of the Quarterly Review into an intimate portrait of how Lockhart and Croker managed that most influential of Tory literary journals. Those interested in political thought and historiography have a habit of buying anything dealing with Macaulay and I would urge them most seriously to take up this volume not only for the sake of Mr. Thomas' very realistic and sensible insights into that great 'whig' historian (although Thomas is none too comfortable with such a lable) but also for the views of Croker. I must add, by way of disclosure, that I know Mr. Thomas and have the greatest respect for him as a scholar and a tutor, however I think that works own merits will amply support my praise. For those who doubt my word I would heartily recommend they read an excellent review that appeared in the SPECTATOR in early December of 2000 - I believe I am in complete congruence with its sentiments. The Times Literary Supplement aslo had only the very nicest things to say. Quite simply, if you have any interest in political history, thought, or historiography I would most strenously enjoin you to purchase this most learned - and engaging - volume. General readers may find an occasional reference obscure, but they will also profit from and perhaps enjoy this volume.