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This book addresses modernism's ties to Romanticism, to post-Darwinian debates about evolution and religion, to evolving categories of modernist spirituality and to their collective relationship to aesthetics and thus modern art. The master narrative of the rise of modern art and literary modernism has long settled into the scholarly landscape. It has indeed come to appear as set, unproblematic, and rarely questioned. In this extensively interdisciplinary and transnational study Dr. Richard Lofthouse has set out to conduct a deep probe into that now well-traveled terrain. Whereas most previous scholars have looked to the power of French art and culture as the driving engine behind various modes of modernism, Lofthouse counter-instinctively looks to Germany and Great Britain. In the face of previous studies on the mechanical fascinations of modernists such as the Vorticists, Lofthouse rediscovers the power of European fin-de-siecle vitalism and its trajectory far into the twentieth century. Through Lofthouse's studies of Otto Dix, Stanley Spencer, Max Beckmann and Jacob Epstein a new counter-narrative of the development of modern art and modernism emerges.There is still the modernist rejection of many things Victorian, but these artists embrace a vitalist, organic scientific tradition with roots in the thought of Goethe and Lamarckians rather than Darwin and Haeckel. This study reminds us that the world of science and philosophy in 1900 reflected anything but a triumph of positivist science and secularism. The minds and artists of the day confronted a much more indeterminate world of ideas in which mechanism was not triumphant and the spiritual had not been banished. Each of Lofthouse's protagonists rejected anything resembling traditional religious orthodoxy, but they continued to seek some kind of spiritual meaning in the world and in their own existences. This volume leads scholars to reconceptualize their approach to early twentieth-century culture. Lofthouse emphasizes the manner in which four separate artists of prominence stood determined to forge a new path that ignored the impact of French art, embraced the thought of Nietzsche or overlapping ideas derived from the post-Darwinian landscape that emerged in England by 1900, and produced lasting works of art for which this book provides new clues to understanding.Lofthouse leads his readers to understand that they must henceforth contemplate a variety of modernisms, that they must rethink their comfortable, familiar categories of interpretation, and look for new byways on what they incorrectly took to be an adequate mapped landscape of the modern. ... Read more

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Features Stanley Spencer's epic paintings of Lithgow's shipyard. The pictures depict the different trades and activities invloved in the great collective enterprise of building a ship. ... Read more

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Stanley Spencer enlisted with the Royal Fusiliers as a private in 1915 and was commissioned in 1917 and thereafter served with the West Yorkshire Regiment until demobilized in 1919. He saw almost continuous active servicefrom 1915 to the end of the War. he was present at the Battle of the Somme (well described), Montaubon and Vimy Ridge. He was slightly wounded on three occasions and was awarded the Military Cross for his role in a particularly successful trench raid on 1 August 1918. He writes of his experiences in a frank and graphic way. ... Read more

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The bitter, deformed brother of the King is secretly plotting to seize the throne of England. Charming and duplicitous, powerfully eloquent and viciously cruel, he is prepared to go to any lengths to achieve his goal and, in his skilful manipulation of events and people, Richard is a chilling incarnation of the lure of evil and the temptation of power. ... Read more

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An ageing king makes a capricious decision to divide his realm among his three daughters according to the love they express for him. When the youngest daughter refuses to take part in this charade, she is banished, leaving the king dependent on her manipulative and untrustworthy sisters. In the scheming and recriminations that follow, not only does the king's own sanity crumble, but the stability of the realm itself is also threatened. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good and Evil At Their Most Intense
As far as Shakespeare's tragedies go, I have some respect for "Romeo and Juliet." I think "Timon of Athens" and "Coriolanus" are very underrated. I do not like "Othello" at all. I really like "Macbeth." And along with "Julius Caesar" and "Hamlet," I consider "King Lear" a real masterpiece.

The play starts with the aged King Lear displaying poor judgment by announcing his retirement, and leaving his power to his 2 overly ambitious daughters Goneril and Regan, while banishing is youngest daughter Cordelia (who is worthy of his love and trust). Cordelia ends up getting married to the French King, and thus becomes Queen of France. King Lear also banishes his noble servant Kent (who was also worthy of his love and trust).

In a subplot, the old and kind hearted Gloucester is upset by the king's actions, but ironically, he falls into the same pattern. He (after being deceived by Edmund) declares war on his honorable son Edgar, and puts trust in his monstrously evil son Edmund. By the end of the 1st act, the ever loyal Kent disguises himself, and finds his way back into the king's employ.

At first, Shakespeare leaves it ambiguous as to who we should like. (King Lear was not so likable, and his misuse of power didn't help.) But by the end of the 2nd act, Shakespeare allows us to see that Goneril, Cornwall, and Regan would do the devil proud. Edmund may even outdo these 3! From the end of the 2nd act, Shakespeare shifts our sympathies to Lear, and DOES NOT allow it to slack at all. (Our new sympathy for Lear will in fact intensify throughout.)

While we don't see much of Goneril's virtuous husband Albany until the 4th act, other characters speak of his contempt for Cornwall, so we can see that Shakespeare is getting a heroic role ready for him. This helps build suspense as well as the news of Cordelia's French Invasion. (To restore her father to the throne.)

Kent, Cordelia, and Edgar are quite Christlike. Kent never abandons the king; Cordelia never stopped loving her father; and Edgar continues to love his father. (Edgar's father suffers a horrible injury at the hands of Cornwall at the end of the 3rd act, and Edgar does everything humanly possible for his father.)

It is interesting that Kent and Edgar both continue to love and serve a man who had mistreated them, even to the point of wearing a disguise. Moving on, Lear is eventually reunited with Cordelia, and the scene where Cordelia forgives him is beyond beautiful.

But, Shakespeare does not stop here. Lear's 2 wicked daughters (Goneril and Regan) both want the affection of the evil Edmund, and Goneril plots to have her virtuous husband Albany killed. (Regan's husband Cornwall died at the end of the 3rd act.) To complicate matters further, Cordelia launches her invasion on behalf of her father, and while Albany shares Cordelia's goal, he also feels he has an obligation to protect Britain from invasion.

In an almost Easter fashion, Edgar reappears to challenge his wicked brother Edmund in trial by combat. (It is interesting that while Robert Powell did Jesus in "Jesus of Nazareth," he also does Edgar on an audio version of "King Lear.") But even as Albany, Edgar, and Kent gain control of the situation, Shakespeare has his arguably saddest moment waiting for us.

This play is a perfect cure for Hollywood movies that tend to glorify war. "King Lear" is arguably Shakespeare's most brutal play. But the violence is disturbing even when the virtuous characters are triumphant.The story DOES need the violence, but Shakespeare seems to know here that war and violence are disturbing, and should be portrayed so. Furthermore, the death of one's enemies, may NOT lead to a happy ending. ... Read more

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This book explores new and exciting ways with the Tangram puzzle. Many of the ideas ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

this was disappointing
I did expect a mathematical point of view on Tangrams in this book. Instead, the author sticks with tesselations (creating a mosaic like pattern) all over the book. He never goes into detail about the mathematical background. I was disappointed by this book that leads nowhere. ... Read more

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The Sixth Edition of Career Guidance and Counseling Through the Lifespan: Systematic Approaches is a comprehensive treatment of career development theory and practice in a world of work which is undergoing profound change. The book examines the current changes in the organization and content of work, the implications of the global economy for the practice of career development, best practices in career services, and perspectives on the research findings supporting career counseling and other career interventions.

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Leaving behind both home and beloved, a young man travels to Milan to meet his closest friend. Once there, however, he falls in love with his friend's new sweetheart and resolves to seduce her. Love-crazed and desperate, he is soon moved to commit cynical acts of betrayal. And comic scenes involving a servant and his dog enhance the play's exploration how passion can prove more powerful than even the strongest loyalty owed to a friend. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An Interesting Stepping Stone
This was one of Shakespeare's plays that never enjoyed much popularity. Many of you will probably recall this as the 'not so good' play in "Shakespeare In Love" that did not go so well. (Undoubtedly, this movie brought some popularity to this not overly popular play.)

I'll grant that this comedy of Shakespeare's is not exactly on par with "Comedy of Errors," "Midsummer Night's Dream," or "Merchant of Venice." We must remember though that no matter how good any writer is, NOT EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF WORK THEY PRODUCE CAN BE A MASTERPIECE. And there are some things that make "The Two Gentleman of Verona" a significant step in Shakespeare's writing career.

The play revolves around the conflicts between romantic love and friendship. (A worthy subject) We meet the 2 characters Valentine and Proteus. They appear to be good friends. Valentine wants to travel. We also learn that Proteus has an affection for Julia. Later in the 1st act, Antonio (Proteus's father) wants to send him away to see the world. Of course, Proteus is sad about leaving his love interest Julia, but like a good son, he does not go against his father.

By the 2nd Act, we learn that Valentine has gone into the service of the Duke of Milan. He has also shown a love interest in the Duke's daughter Silvia. (Though there is a problem. Silvia's father wants her to marry Thurio.) As displayed in "Shakespeare In Love," there is the comical scene with Launce and his dog. He's mad at the dog for not sharing his grief of leaving. (Perhaps the dog should have been more sensitive.)

Soon afterwards, Proteus and Valentine are reunited, but the theme of the story kicks in as Proteus starts to find Silvia attractive. Just as Julia decides to cast Julia off and risk losing the friendship of Valentine,Julia decides to visit Proteus. (A little suspense is always welcome in comedy.) This is the 1st female character of Shakespeare's to pass herself off as a man.

Playing the devil, Proteus tells Silvia's father of Valentine's feelings for Silvia. (He tells the truth, but neglects to mention his ulterior motives!) This causes the Duke to banish Valentine. The banished Valentine the runs across some outlaws and befriends them.

Later, we have elements that foreshadow "12th Night." Julia (disguised asa man) takes an office of servant to her love interest (Proteus), and she finds herself wooing Silvia on Proteus's behalf. In an interesting scene Silvia (not knowing that she is talking to Julia) expresses her sympathy for Julia, and Julia slips into a comical jealous rage.

Well, Silvia runs off to join Valentine, but falls into the hands of the outlaws. Proteus rescues her, but wants too much of a reward. But Valentine prevents the possible rape. There are some who feel that the reconciliation between Proteus, Silvia, Valentine, Julia (not to mention the Duke pardoning the outlaws) was too unreal. And it does happen a bit fast. But remember, this is a comedy, and there is a limitation to what an audience will sit through. An incomplete reconciliation here would hamper the joy Shakespeare needs for the end of the comedy.

While this is not Shakespeare's best, it still has some worthwhile elements. At least give it a chance.

... Read more

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When it seems that Julius Caesar may assume supreme power, a plot to destroy him is hatched by those determined to preserve the threatened republic. But the different motives of the conspirators soon become apparent when high principles clash with malice and political realism. As the nation plunges into bloody civil war, this taut drama explores the violent consequences of betrayal and murder. ... Read more

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A young man and woman meet by chance and fall instantly in love. But their families are bitter enemies, and in order to be together the two lovers must be prepared to risk everything. Set in a city torn apart by feuds and gang warfare, Romeo and Juliet is a dazzling combination of passion and hatred, bawdy comedy and high tragedy. ... Read more

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A popular soldier and newly married man, Othello seems to be in an enviable position. And yet, when his supposed friend sows doubts in his mind about his wife's fidelity, he is gradually consumed by suspicion. In this powerful tragedy, innocence is corrupted and trust is eroded as every relationship is drawn into a tangled web of jealousies. ... Read more

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A young woman flees Athens with her lover, only to be pursued by her would-be husband and by her best friend. Unwittingly, all four find themselves in an enchanted forest where fairies and sprites soon take an interest in human affairs, dispensing magical love potions and casting mischievous spells. In this dazzling comedy, confusion ends in harmony, as love is transformed, misplaced, and - ultimately - restored. ... Read more

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Hilda Carline was Stanley Spencer''s first wi fe and was herself an accomplished artist. However, the pres sures of living in an era when women were given little recog nition, coupled with her marriage to a prominent artist, see ms to have consumer her life. ' ... Read more