Book Description
One of the most important of the seventeenth-century Metaphysical Poets, Henry Vaughan is interesting not only for his own work, but for his imaginative use of the style of his predecessor, George Herbert.This collection presents the complete text of Silex Scitillans, including material in
both the 1650 and 1655 editions, and is the only edition of selected poems available. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not at Home in the World
Henry Vaughan is rightly regarded as the great mystic poet of his time.Although a firm believer in Christianity, his is not the sort of Christianity that is comfortable with the world God has made.He is more a believer, one might say, in the Fall, and longs for the angelic world which he catches glimpses of from time to time.This selection of poems is an excellent introduction to his disposition, which deal more with escaping this world than glorifying the next.Brief Examples: In "Child-hood" his love of that innocent period "which angels guard" and the impossibility of returning to that state of bliss make him ask himself "Why if I see a rock or shelf, Shall I thence cast myself down" ...."Since all that age doth teach, is ill"----And in "The Night," he speculates that there is in God "a deep, but dazzling darkness;" and proclaims "O for that night! where I in him/ Might live invisible and dim."-Vaughan was really ahead of his time and more resembles Shelley and his later disciple Francis Thompson than any poet of his age (including George Herbert).After reading this selection of poems, one feels that Vaughan was a unique sort of Christian. More to the point, one questions whether Christianity was not the mere medium through which Vaughan, in tune with his age, conveyed his mystical yearning and escapism, which is the core of his poetry and his being. ... Read more

Book Description
Deals with Vaughan's connection with the "Occult" philosophy which his brother Thomas embraced and practiced and discusses Henry's indebtedness to the philosophies of Jacob Boehme, Cornelius Agrippa, Paracelsus, and others.

THIS TITLE IS CITED AND RECOMMENDED BY:Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature; Books for College Libraries. ... Read more

From the Publisher
"know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" These compelling words from a speech delivered by Patrick Henry in 1775 at the second Virginia Convention embody the spirit of American courage and patriotism. The speeches of the 'orator of liberty' fueled the fire of the struggle for American Independence. This insightful look at one of our country's most colorful and verbal forefathers will deepen every readers' appreciation for the leaders in our past and strengthen their understandimg that, even today, freedom isn't free.

Available in December. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Thank you!
Thank you, Mr. Vaughan, for pointing out what many if not all public schools leave out of history... the fact that it was founded on Biblical principles by Christian men. I'm not saying that all the founding fathers were Bible believing or lived a moral live but that fact that Patrick Henry was such a HUGE part of it and he WAS a Christian and moral person was impactful to our nations birth.

My daughter enjoyed the humorous bits throughout the book and I enjoyed the fresh look at history.

The Cheering Section
In his biography of Partick Henry, Vaughan complains that previous biographers were unfair to the legendary statesman.Thus, he moves to correct this historical error by bringing forth a laundry list of glowing facts about Henry.While Vaughan does have a point about previous renderings of Henry's life, he does little to paint a more accurate picture of the orator.Rather, he glosses over Henry flaws, and presents us with a candy-coated version of the man.And Henry was a man--a good man, but a man nonetheless.Unfortunately, this biography fails to recognize that.

A Delightful Read
What a delightful read this book has been.The author displays a clear and deep admiration for his subject, but I find no fault in that. The book reads very easily without a lot of stilted verbiage, making it a wonderful introduction of the great orator to the student.

There is not a lot of detailed analysis here, but I don't believe that was the authors' intention.This work is meant to be an outline and introduction Henry, the Trumpet of the Revolution.

The work is actually presented as three separate volumes in one binding.Part 1 takes the reader from birth to death, touching on the momentous occasions, as well as a good bit of reference to the details of life which shaped the life of Henry.Part 2 gives Henry's views of some of life's virtues, such as Christianity, patriotism and duty and gives an insightful look at the character of this great American.Part 3 concludes with how Henry has been remembered by history, and how he should be remembered.

Overall, a delightful read which I highly recommend to students or anyone wishing to gain a basic insight to a great American patriot.

Monty Rainey
www.juntosociety.com

A "MUST READ" FOR LOVERS OF LIBERTY
It was wonderful to see Patrick Henry's Christian values and belief on the LORD JESUS CHRIST openly written about.I enjoyed it completely and would recommend it to any who enjoy studying the Revolutionary War. BUY IT!

Too didactic
I was somewhat disappointed with this short book.The author seems to have targeted the book to young people rather than older, more demanding readers.The book is comprised of very short, easy-to-read chapters written with too much moral heavy-handedness.The second half is nothing but a series of chapters on the moral lessons of his life with a decidedly religious take. A hagiography for early adolescents. This is not a book that takes much time to develop more complex themes of his life, times, and ideas.

Nevertheless, I finished the book with great admiration for Patrick Henry and an eagerness to read more about him and his ideas.I came to the book wanting to know more about the Anti-Federalists, as Henry was the most visible leader.I didn't get what I was searching for in this book.An okay book for young people but too simplistic and pat for others wanting a more intellectually demanding examination of the man. ... Read more

Product Description
1964 PBACK 541 PP ... Read more

Book Description
This volume presents the work of two poets linked by the tribute of creative imitation gratefully paid by Vaughan to Herbert.Read side by side, as this one-volume collection makes possible, the artists' verse fully reveals their individual powers, even as the complex nature of Vaughan's use
of Herbert's imaginative example is thrown into greater relief.The book contains the complete English poetry of Herbert, his prose treatise, The Country Parson, the complete text of Vaughan's Silex Scintillans, including all material in both the 1650 and 1655 editions, and a selection from
Vaughan's early secular poetry.Louis Martz's introduction and commentary help bring the religious controversies of the age into focus. The text also features chronologies of the lives of the two men and suggestions for further reading. ... Read more