Stuart Books

Table of Contents
England after the Glorious Revolution

The Glorious Revolution and the Revolution Constitution

The Facts of Life

A Bloody Progress

The Political World of William III

Wars of Words and the Battle of the Books

Faith and Fervour

England, Britain, Empire

The Political World of Queen Anne

Profits, Progress and Projects

The Wealth of the Country

The Political World of George I

Urban and Urbane

An Ordered Society

Epilogue

Chronology

Bibliography

Index

Writes Professor Roger Hainsworth, formerly of Adelaide University, South Australia: Students of English history will welcome this new volume in the New Oxford History of England series.1689-1727 is a very significant period for the history of the British people and indeed it proved important to many European people also for this reason: during it Britain became a great power and in the process the growing hegemony of France over western Europe was first confronted, fought against and finally halted. More of this later. Dr. Hoppit, although his eye is undimmed by romantic illusions about past eras, has a positive tale to tell. He writes that in late seventeen and early eighteenth century England "political discord was contained and then undermined. Warfare was endured and survived. Britain's empire was extended and its value increased. Population began slowly to grow. Many towns flourished. Agriculture, industry and commerce all showed signs of expansion .... society was not stagnant, it was on the move." This favourable assessment might have astonished contemporaries both at home and abroad. They still perceived England as politically unstable, riven by party ("faction"), and menaced by the apparently unbridgeable dynastic dispute between the Jacobite supporters of the exiled James II and then of his son (the Old Pretender) and the Whig and Orange Tory supporters of William III, Anne and the Protestant Succession (the Hanoverians). Meanwhile the British state was menaced by growing poor rates, menacing numbers of unemployed, seemingly endless foreign wars, and a growing mountain of debt: all presided over by a government which appeared more powerful and uncheckable every year and was backed by that worst of all English nightmares: a permanent army. Dr. Hoppit explores these fears and traumas incisively and expertly and makes it clearer than it perhaps has ever been made before why the positive developments prevailed and the worst fears ebbed away. The fundamental problem for historians of the period is to explain how England become a great power during the reigns of William III and Anne. Cromwell's disciplined army and a powerful navy had made England a great power fleetingly during the 1650s. However, there was no way to finance these prodigies on a long term basis. The restored Charles II almost went broke disbanding these extravagant instruments of power. England's resurgence in the two decades following the Glorious Revolution of 1689 astonished foreign observers who had believed, reasonably enough, that England's small population doomed it to the side-lines of European politics. In a long contest between Britain and France surely there could be only one result? England with Wales had only about 5.25 million in 1700. Scotland had 1.23 million and Ireland about 2 million. France, the most populous country in Europe (including Russia) had 22 million. These bare statistics proved deceptive. Although eighty per cent of England's population were rural dwellers, almost thirty per cent of the population were engaged in some form of industry. Manchester was then only a large village but Defoe estimated it provided "outside" employment to 40,000 weavers and allied trades. In fact England was the most urbanised country in Europe and if this was partly because ten per cent of the people lived in London her urbanisation was to increase hugely during the eighteenth century while London's population stagnated. Industrial strength and a powerful navy were gradually joined by a formidable army. During Anne's reign it would be led by one of history's greatest commanders who was also a remarkable diplomat and builder of alliances: the Duke of Marlborough. The financial problems of the mid seventeenth century were resolved by taxation passed freely if grumpily by the House of Commons which had now become a permanent institution of state rather than an irregular occurrence. The taxes funded that unusual novelty the National Debt which was partly managed by an enlarged Treasury assisted by an inspired creation, the Bank of England. The two great European wars of the period weakened the Continental powers, especially France, but left Britain stronger than when she entered them. Many speculated about this paradox but no great power seemed able to copy the method even supposing they understood it. All these matters receive due attention in this volume. So also does a range of other important topics: the remarkable growth of parliamentary government which in time would make possible the political peace of Sir Robert Walpole's long prime ministership during the 1720s; the decline into impotence of the Jacobites; the astonishing efflorescence of a print culture of books, newspapers and pamphlets; the slow decline of the Anglican hegemony in the face of stubborn Dissenters and ideas of religious tolerance; the extraordinarily rich burst of public and private building ranging from Wren's St Paul's to Vanbrugh and Hawksmoor's masterpieces (Castle Howard and Blenheim the best known of many); and the steady advance of pragmatic, experimental science. This last owed much to one man and in a fine passage Hoppit writes that the year his period ends is better defined not by the death of George I but by the death aged 84 of one of his subjects. Interred like a prince in Westminster Abbey with the Lord Chancellor, two dukes and three earls among his pall-bearers, he was Sir Isaac Newton. That indeed was the end of an era. This is a worthy addition to a very collectable series. There are the minor flaws often found when the author has to shoehorn a complex discourse into a confined space. Stylistic faults occasionally jar and infelicities of sentence structure ("there were those (such as Locke had done) who strongly argued ...") often require the reader to turn back to disentangle the sense. However, Dr. Hoppit's text is informative, interesting, thought-provoking and engrossing. He has explored the diverse facets of his subject with care and sensitivity to their nuances. All students of this significant period will be in his debt for decades to come. Had it been put in my hands when I was studying this period as an undergraduate I would have gnawed on it like a famished wolf.

A very well- rounded introduction to a period of British history that should be better known. The author strikes a good balance between the political narrative and his coverage of the social, economic, cultural, and military developments of the age. This book should be accessible to anyone with a serious interest in this period in European history.

Great book. Funny,intriguing, and sad. I really hate that this is the last one in the series. I will miss the great characters who have become almost like friends. The constant struggle between good and evil and the struggle of the bonds of family and the desire for power made this appeal to me as a reader and feel like I knew what they were feeling. Read and enjoy...

Outstanding book! This along with the other two in its trilogy has easily risen to the top of my favorite books. Amazing ending. Wonderfully ties up all lose strings. A wonderful piece of literature. Highly reccommended.

I love this series they just kept getting better with each book.I just hope Mr. Hill will start a new series like this.I loved the mix of supporters like the king werewolf and snowleopards.They were hilarious in the books.The vampire queen really got to me, so happy for her at the end.

My book came with an insert about the most recent changes in estate tax law. I was really impressed that the publisher would go to the trouble. The book was very helpful and I made a lot of notes, which I used when I checked out several lawyers about estate planning for my family. The lawyers were very surprised that I had such a good background and could ask questions. The book helped me decide which lawyer to choose. Everything worked out very well and I've given the book to my brother. Now he is doing estate planning, also.

Other books on subject were dense, overkill. This one is easy to read and very clear. Removes intimidation and preps you to make choices, talk with lawyer intelligently. Great diagrams and illustrations. Fast read.

It seems like "living trusts" are a fad and I was somewhat cynical, but I also admit I didn't understand what they were. The book gave me the info I needed to work intelligently with a lawyer, which I really needed to do. Before I read the book I thought I might go to one of those do it yourself paralegals, which would have been a HUGE mistake. I took my knowledge and shared it with everyone in my family and now we are all very pleased that we've done estate planning that really takes care of all of our concerns.

This book is outstanding. It totally took control of me. I culdn't put it down for one minute from beginning to end. I can't believe the imagination of the writer. From one scene to the next I was under it's spell. The book, all in it and I became one. I read this book in 1999 and look forward to reading it again in 2002 and again in 2004.
I was part of an office book club and this book was passed around many, many times....... A MUST

This is a very interesting and entertaining book about how a poor Italian boy made his way in the world of crime and decadence. The dialogue is witty, and the charaters seem almost real. This is a book about loyalty to friends, and 'own people'. The way he conducts his business as a hit man is ingenious, hilarious and intelligent. I have read the book 8 times and I still find it highly entertaining.

The book was captivating when I first read it back in 1986. I thought the book just made very good reading and allowed your imagination to become one with the book. The detail of each scene and act was a credit to the writer's imagination. It had great direction which took you by the hand and led you on a incredible journey. Thanks for a great book!!!

Stuart Crainer has written a very good review of management thought for the 20th Century. This is the perfect book for those who want a refresher from their principles of management class in business school or for those who never had one. The opening belongs, as one would expect, to Frederick W. Taylor and surprisingly Elihu Root. From there it is simply the progression of managment thought over the course of the twentieth century. Going by decade Crainer offers up the trend of managment theory and practice with insights from the important thinkers and practitioners of the times. At the end of each chapter there is a brief timeline as well as a sample of the companies on the Dow at that time and various bits of information that provide the opportunity for further study. All in all this is a wonderful book!!

If you're in business, you have an obligation to understand the people and trends before you to give you an understanding of the framework in which you currently work. Starting in 1900, Crainer talks about the impacts of Frederick Winslow Taylor's work in scientific management and its impact on such industrial giants as Ford and General Motors. Proceeding along, you'll learn why the work of Mary Follett (one of the first female management gurus) was so important to the rest of the decades and which gurus she has influenced since then. Max and Weber, they are in here, and Ray Kroc is too! The best part about this book is that it will give you a timeline, so you can quickly understand the century at a glance and understand which trends happened when and how they created a new future for managers and employees alike. From this book, you'll also get a list of the top 5 Harvard Business Review articles for each decade, starting from the 1950s on.

This is one in a series of "Strategy & Business" books from Booz-Allen & Hamilton, published by Jossey-Bass. All are first-rate and well-worth checking out. In this book, Crainer devotes a separate chapter to each of the 20th century's ten decades, concluding each chapter with a timeline. In the final chapter, he provides an insightful analysis of "The State of Management."

In his Preface, Crainer observes that "the historical and theoretical strands that go to make up management are many and varied. The great management thinkers are drawn from a bewildering variety of disciplines and professions." He then explains that his book "aims to gather together many of these gloriously varied strands and provide a concise and insightful guide to the major developments in thinking and practice during the twentieth century." Here in the proverbial "nutshell" is what this book is all about. Given the wealth of rock-solid content contained within a single-volume, presented with a crisp writing style, Crainer's is indeed a brilliant achievement. Here are the ten periods and some of the "great management thinkers and practicioners" discussed in each:

1900-1910: Stopwatch Science [eg Elihu Root, Henri Fayol, and Frederick Winslow Taylor]

1911-1920: Modern Times [eg Henry Ford, Frank & Lilian Gilbreth]

1921-1930: Discovering the Organization [eg Max Weber, Chester Barnard, Billy Durant, and Alfred Pritchard Sloan Jr.]

NOTE: Throughout the book, Crainer inserts his comments. For example: "Taylor discovered work. Ford discovered work on a massive scale. Sloan organized work. And no one discovered the people doing the work." That is, until the 1930s....

1931-1940: Discovering People [eg Mary Parker Follett, Bill Hewlett & David Packard]

1941-1950: Lessons in War [eg William S. Knudsen, Walter Shewhart, Akio Morita, Konosuke Matsushita]

NOTE: In 1950, Peter Drucker becomes professor of manager at New York University. "The first person anywhere in the world to have such a title and to teach such a subject," he later said.

1951-1960: Living the Dream [eg Ralph Cordiner, Thomas Watson, Sr. and Jr., Peter Drucker's The Practice of Management, Theodore Leavitt, Abraham Maslow, Frederick Herzberg, Douglas McGregor]

1961-1970: Understanding Strategy [eg Drucker, rediscovery of Sun Tzu and von Clausewitz, Alfred Chandler, Igor Ansoff, Henry Mintzberg, Harold Geneen, Robert Townsend]

1971-1980: Organized Paralysis [Alvin Toffler, Thomas J. Peters, Elliott Jaques, Reg Revans, E.F. Schumacher, Meredith Belbin]

1981-1990: An Excellent Adventure [Robert Hayes & Bill Abernathy, rediscovery of W. Edwards Deming, William Ouchi, Kenichi Ohmae, Joseph Juran, Michael Porter, Gary Hamel, Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Warren Bennis]

1991-2000: The New Balance of Power [eg Michael Hammer, Percy Barnevik, John Francis Welch Jr., Michael Dell,]

As indicated previously, in the final chapter Crainer provides his own analysis of "The State of Management." It is very well-done.

Obviously, this is more of an overview than a traditional book review. My purpose is to suggest the cope of the material covered, and, to suggest also how valuable I consider that coverage to be. I wish a higher rating were available.

This books clearly and simply describes the process of meditation. It explains many of my experiences. I have found this book to be very helpful and inspirational.

I must confess I had to edit my initial review on this book, so here is the reason why:

When I purchased this book, I did it because a meditation teacher recommended it to me because he felt it would help me to understand the correct approach and attitudes towards meditation practice. As a westerner, I believed that I was going to buy an instruction manual, step-by-step ingredients and mixing and cooking instructions on how-to-meditate almost as if it were a recipe book. As I read on, at first I could not understand most of its teachings, since (according to my expectations) the book had little or nothing to do with meditation. Nowadays, I find these teachings inspirational, since they relate to the overall loving attitude that naturally arises towards meditation practice.

This is the first book I read of Trungpa's. This is the first time that I discovered that there was a "Chogyam Trungpa". I greedily took it home from the Bodhi Tree, read it, and then grimaced as I realized that you needed a teacher (not so today!). So I took some Valium and went into the Dharmadhatu Center in L.A. and received meditation instruction. This was 1977 so it was a brave deed. And since I had no feeling in my brain or body, I did quite well. A brunette sat down with me and taught me about the famous "outbreath". Chogyam Trungpa was officially my "teacher". Later, I would find out that he was an outrageous madman (no slander, Amazon.com. Even his present students admit this!) The book is a brillant way to begin to "read up" on Trungpa. It's a soft blow. It will give good insight into Trungpa's teachings. But this series of lectures were given in Scottland in 1968, I believe. Trungpa wouldn't hit his stride until years later. After reading this, read "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism" and "The Myth of Freedom". The title is a bit misleading. In the Kagyu (just say "cog-you" and you will get away with it) Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, they more or less depend on sitting meditation to trigger off mindfulness. As one student told me, "They sit like pigs". They have been criticized by the other three Tibetan traditions for it. So if you are buying this book from Amazon.com because of the title "Meditation in Action" - forget it. Buy "The Miracle of Minfulness" by Thich Nhat Hanh and vote for my review as you examine it! But if you are buying this book as an introduction to Trungpa's brillant teachings, then BUY THIS BOOK! Thank you.

This by far is the best book I've read in a long time. I am only 21 years old but this book hits pretty close to home not only because I also attended a catholic school but also because I attended the same catholic scool as the one mentioned in the book (in Iowa) many many years later (i am only 21) but most of the facility is still the way he described it. Mr.Byrne really hit the nail on the head with this one.

I read this book many years ago and laughed until I cried. It was so typical of growing up and attending Catholic Schools. I swear that Mr. Byrne attend the same Catholic School that I attended many years ago. I am searching for a copy as I lost my original. I know that I will enjoy reading it again for the fourth or fifth time.

I did not grow up Catholic, but found this wonderful book to be *the* funniest book I have ever read. You are guaranteed to laugh yourself silly many times as you read this short book. The best line: "Not only had I shit my pants, I had shit my pants for nothing." The fun just never stops as you follow a 13 year old boy through the trials and tribulations of Catholic School.

Knowledgeably written by a professor emeritus of food science, Milk: Its Remarkable Contribution To Human Health And Well-Being is a scientifically researched and presented response to modern-day claims downplaying or even attacking the health of milk as a food. Unashamedly pro-dairy consumption, Milk backs its fervent emphasis upon the importance of regularly consuming dairy products as part of a balanced diet with research, statistics, and modern scientific wisdom on everything from the nutritional benefits to the flavor of milk. Directly addressing and rebutting animal rights activist advocacy against milk - to the extent of comparing the animal rights advocacy movement to that of a religious movement driven by faith rather than reason - Milk may be passionate in its own advocacy yet its defense of a widely useful, inexpensive, and nutritious foodstuff seems to clearly be needed in the wake of so many media attacks against it.

This book contains everything you ever wanted to know about milk and more. Written by someone with extensive knowledge and background, the author demystifies the myths about milk and explains its benefits in clear, easy-to-understand language. The book offers good, solid information about a food vital to health; it's great for students, teachers, families. This is a book for everyone!

Milk is a fascinating read. Dr. Patton has excellent style and is easy to undestand (it's been quite a while since my last biology class). I am more convinced than ever of the need to get milk.

This is one of the most gorgeous books you'll come across--every aspect is beautifully thought out. The bird paintings by the Gentlings are breathtaking--and often offer a little sly humor in their composition. Treat yourself or another bird lover.

When Of Birds and Texas was first published in 1986 it was quickly deemed the most magnificent book in the history of Texas publishing. Consisting of 40 exquisitely detailed bird portraits and ten Texas landscape scenes, the volume was enhanced with accompanying commentary by the Gentling brothers and a personal essay by John Graves.

Yet the 23" by 29 ½" outsize folio which weighed 46 pounds was beyond the reach and shelf space of many. Thus, it was printed as a limited edition. Now, for the first time, this unparalleled volume is available to a mass audience at an affordable price and manageable size while retaining the original 50 color plates as well as 28 remarques. Retaining the integrity of the original folio, this is truly a work of estimable quality and a collector's item.

In addition, the recent edition offers a new essay by Stuart Gentling, "Of Birds and Texas, Audubon and Us," in which he relates how the brothers' profound respect for the famed ornithologist/artist paved the way for them to create this book, which is inspired by Audubon's work.

The Gentlings are twin brothers, artists, authors, and lecturers based in Fort Worth. Having discovered at an early age the print edition of John James Audubon's Birds of America, they now share a passion for art, world culture and wildlife.

His keen interest in wildlife, particularly birds, led Stuart to learn taxidermy. Both brothers began a serious study of art when they were 14. Their awards are numerous; their paintings may be found in museums and libraries throughout Texas and the United States. This year Scott received a commission to paint a portrait of President George Bush for the Texas State Capitol dome.

Artwork in Of Birds and Texas is created collaboratively by the Gentlings. In the original folio are reproductions of watercolor paintings with the color, blend and atmosphere attributed to Stuart, while the line and small strokes were contributed by Scott.

Getting the first volume published proved to be a formidable task. Plans reached a standstill when it was discovered that the actual production of the folio would cost more than double the estimates. What rescued the project was a lucky find by Stuart in the Philadelphia Print Shop catalog: a listing of Audubon's "The Great Crow Blackbird." The brothers were able to purchase the Audubon for $18,000. After its authentication as an original Audubon, it was sold at Sotheby's for $253,000. Thus, the completion of the original Of Birds and Texas was made possible.

Our loss would be great had this not been so. More than just a work of incredible visual beauty Of Birds and Texas is a joy to read as each color plate is partnered with a bird tale by the Gentlings.

A treasure in itself, the essay by beloved Texas author John Graves is as gracefully written as the classic works for which he is known, From A Limestone Ledge: Some Essays and Other Ruminations About Country Life In Texas, and Goodbye To A River. Once again, Mr. Graves writes with trenchant luminosity.

This landmark volume is dedicated to John James Audubon. It is now recreated for all to enjoy.

- Gail Cooke

This book has received an Award of Excellence from the 2001 Southern Books Competition. "You could not find a lovelier title page spread than that in Of Birds and Texas. The sensitive calligraphy and the well-designed two-column text pages support the stunning bird prints." Congratulations to the authors, designer Ellen McKie and the University of Texas Press.

This book does a terrific job of introducing web design to readers. Whether you have experience with HTML or have never created a Web site, the book will help you develop new skills. The book covers some great topics for powerful design in an easy to understand way without leaving out any important details.

OFFICIAL HTML PUBLISHING FOR NETSCAPE assumes little prior knowledge of the Web or its tools, yet it quickly brings the user up to speed and creating pages that range from simple and straightforward to jazzy and slick. The style is confident; the information, clear and nicely illustrated. Well worth the money -- and thats even before the accompanying CD with its free software

This is such a great book!! I didn't have any knowledge of web creating. Now I am making money by creating web pages. You can learn all about web creation from scratch to multimedia.If you are a beginner, this is the book you want!!