Victorian Books

Derek Jarrett, a longtime professor of history at Oxford, in his amazing little book The Sleep of Reason: Fantasy and Reality from the Vic torian Age to the First World War, wrote about the decline of the power of reason (including in that term natural law, civility, and conscience) to advance our quest for Godly compatibility and peace prior to WWI.
This is a book to be read and re-read countless times. I approach it with trepidation as the writing suggests a mind so fertile, so profound, and so true to the facts that one is totally floored. I feel very unworthy when I read this book insofar as it penetrates reality so deeply. I wish Prof. Jarrett were alive today so I might write to him, and personally tell him how, after reading this book, I understood the impact of WWI on Western civilization as never before even though I had been teaching about 30 years when I read it.
He reveals how disillusioned the entire civilization became including some of its greatest minds. The hope in reason and the intimate connection with God seemed to be broken on a big scale (believe me, I am oversimplifying this book -- it is a great writing that cannot really be reduced to a two sentence summary).
What should we think when we realize that WWII has destroyed the hope in reason and faith for so many millions and millions of people? To me this shows that our view of God prior to WWI was superficial. We need a more absolutist view, if you will, of God's grace, His commands, and His purpose. In this sense, the Puritans of Massachusetts were correct,although they were too oblivious to the rights of others. We need to right the balance in the direction of restored Judeo-Christian values. At the same time, we also need to incorporate freedom which is also God-given and God-driven ("the truth will set you free" John 8:32). Thus we need again to see ourselves more as sinful man in need of redemption, a redemption which only the Cross of Christ can give, yet,at the same time, challenged to retain a sense of universal human dignity which freedom implies. Really, freedom is the other side of the same coin along with servanthood in Christ. Our entire dignity consists in this complementarity.

Seth Koven has exercised esxcellent scholarship in this fascinating account of Victorian London. Koven delves deeply into the various motivations (from charitable to journalistic to seeking a sexual outlet) of upper crust individuals who chose to frequent the slums of London. A must read for anyone interested in the cultural history of Victorian London.

Excellent! I was not aware that there was such disagreement about the implications of Darwin's work among his earliest followers. The book was fascinating from historical, philosophical and scientific points of view. As a person in the medical field I found chapter six especially interesting.

a very pleasant and informative pictorial of spring lake. a bit short on history, but worthwhile nonetheless. Interesting usage of post cards as reference.

This book proved to be more than I expected. Even with no previous experience I as able to positively identify two patterns I own after only looking through this book for an hour. I am thrilled to finally know who made these pieces, what they are called and when they were made. My only regret is that I don't own "Staffordshire Cups Plates and Early Victorian China" the first edition published by these authors. They refer to it often throughout this book. I understand it is out of print now. I also wish they had included a few more basics about transferware of the 1800's, for the novice like myself. Of course, this too could have been included in the first book. Even so, I would highly recommend this wonderful reference book to anyone interested in transferware. I found it to be well worth the hefty price.

I bought this book recently as a present to a friend's child while visiting them in London, England. It is an extremely creative book in illustrations and construction.Each page holds a little surprise with a ribboned pull-out card between the thick pages. The illustrations are very Victorian and capture every little girl's imagination.For those children who are just learning to read, or who have not developed the love of reading yet, it is a wonderful picture book. Any child would love sitting and looking at the pictures and pulling out the "surprises". After arriving home, I realized I should have bought one for my grandaughter for Christmas. I am currently in the process of doing just that.

This book is especially recommended for theatre lovers and constitutes an essential contribution to the history of women in the US during the twentieth-century. Following Virginia Woolf, Barbara Ozieblo has as her goal to "capture" Glaspell's personality, but the results go far beyond this original purpose. Seduced by a brilliantly polished, engaging narrative, the reader is presented with a new perspective on the development of American theatre in the first half of the twentieth century by means of a smooth movement between identification with Glaspell and a fine and suggestive analysis of her writings.

For the theatre critic / lover, the most relevant dimension of Susan Glaspell's life is her involvement in the creation of the Provincetown Players, either as promoter, actress or playwright. In this regard, a new focus on her standpoint is worth considering, being both protagonist and witness in the development of George Cram Cook's visionary efforts. No doubt, her point of view enables a more accurate, fresher account of the true nature and evolution of Cook's relationship with Eugene O'Neill.

The reader becomes Glaspell herself while witnessing this crucial part in twentieth-century American drama. The implication is that, from her position between external spectator and measured participant, we can reach a more suitable evaluation of the Provincetown Players' contribution to US theatre. This fact is accounted for by the author's decisiveness at drawing consistent conclusions at the right time within the narrative.

An outstanding student and vocational writer, Glaspell also offers an invaluable personal story of abnegation and endurance. The chapter devoted to Cook's final days in Greece does justice to her position as committed wife and sacrificed woman. Here we have an example of a woman's ambivalent role regarding the rules imposed by the society of the time. The main question is whether Glaspell would have utilized her talents in a better way without the burdens imposed by marriage. However, the narrative efficiently locates us within Glaspell's persona, and her constant sufferings caused by her true love for Cook, indeed a demanding and dependent dreamer.

Finally, Glaspell's life as a widow back in the US becomes an example of the unrewarding, sometimes miserable life of twentieth-century women involved in the artistic sphere. Recognized writer, Pulitzer-prize winner and generous mentor, Glaspell keeps on being "too" generous, especially in her relationships with men, and for most of her life remains a solitary individual whose loneliness is only alleviated by the company of her friends and animals and, ultimately, her love for the theatre.

It is precisely this love for the theatre that this excellent biography transfers to the reader, no matter what background, interests or motivations he or she have. Bored with annoying biographies trying to make up silly stories about the hollow lives of any writer or celebrity, this book becomes a fresh, invigorating breeze for both the critic and the general reader.

Published first in the 1980's (I believe) and credited to anonymous, recent print runs give authorship credit to James Jennings, the master of some of the finest erotic lit around.

By the title, Sweet Confessions, the reader should note that both the books deal with sins of the flesh in a religious setting during Victorian times in Europe. If sex, eroticism and debauchery between the clergy and they sheepish followers offends you, then do not buy this book.... OK ...

The first book, 'Therese' is about 123 pages and describes the life of a poor village girl in her 20's and her sexual education at the hands of the infamous Father Dirrag and the young Eradice. Much of the book deals with the rationalization as to why sex among the clergy and their followers is not only and accepted practice, due to our freedom of choice, but also encouraged.

The book may drag a little at times, and, the sex is limited but it's an easy read as the author takes us down the road to pernition and sins of the flesh.

The second book, 'Angelica' approximately 98 pages in length, as well deals with a young girl and her description of life in a convent. In contrast to Therese, our little heroine has no problems in literally jumping into a cloistered lecherous life in the convent with a great deal of unbridled enthusiasm.

Both books have been published as seperate volumes and for the conosieur of erotic lit they are all delicious little munchies ....

As a former and returning guest of Grey Gables, I can truly state that this cookbook is state of the art...just like a visit to Linda's Bed and Breakfast Inn. I always get rave reviews when I serve one of her recipes. Also, the historical excerpts and narration by Linda makes Rugby even more interesting. My first recommendation for you is to visit Grey Gables in Rugby and enjoy rest, relaxation, and Linda's fine cooking. However, if you can't visit there in person, this book/cookbook is the next best thing. Her writing is personal, entertaining, and the recipes are an added bonus. Keep up the great work Grey Gables. We hope to visit again soon!

TAINTED SOULS AND PAINTED FACES by Amanda Anderson is a relatively complex book -- probably best suited for graduate studies, although I read it willingly because I continue to have an interest in the subject. Characterized by it's publisher as fitting the category "Literature/Women's Studies" the book could also be used in history or sociology classes. If you don't know Marx as a sociologist, or are unfamiliar with Habermas, you may find some parts of Anderson's book including the afterward difficult. On the other hand, if you relate to the nexus of linguistics and poststructuralism in literature, this book may be your cup of tea. Anderson investigates the Victorian concept of "fallenness" by reviewing the work of four British authors who were active during the years 1840 to 1860 and who wrote about "fallen women" -- Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, Daniel Rossetti, and Elizabeth Barrett Browing. .... Anderson attempts to explain "fallenness" as a many faceted historical construct, and I believe she succeeds to a great extent.