Wolds Old Ways

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Wolds' Old Ways

Author : Florence Hopper
Publisher : Arena books
ISBN 13 : 1909421340
Total Pages : 212 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (94 download)

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Book Synopsis Wolds' Old Ways by : Florence Hopper

Download or read book Wolds' Old Ways written by Florence Hopper and published by Arena books. This book was released on 2013-12-02 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'This book will bring back old times, take care of it,' wrote Florence Hopper, freelance journalist, in the front of her cuttings book. Found in the depths of a dark cupboard crawled into by her niece, after her aunt died, and now edited by her, it is a fascinating read.At first it was kept safe for the family to enjoy. Starting early in the 1930s the cuttings are a verbatim record of life in a busy market town and on the Wolds farms it served, including some on fishing disputes between onshore fishermen from rival East Coast towns, where the Wolds meet the sea with precipitous cliffs.The cuttings have been arranged in sections according to subject, each one being chronological; sheep farming, including lambing and shearing, the inevitable problems with weather, and some amusing conversations between farm-hands in dialect overheard by Florence when at Driffield cattle market are all in the farming section. She visited haunted houses in the winter of 1937, interviewing the owners who lived in them. The communities and children's sections, which include readers' comments quoted from letter written direct to the columnist, give us a picture of a wide and lively community which was changed completely by the outbreak of war in September 1939.

New Worlds, Old Ways: Speculative Tales from the Caribbean

Author : Karen Lord
Publisher : Akashic Books
ISBN 13 : 1617755273
Total Pages : 164 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (177 download)

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Book Synopsis New Worlds, Old Ways: Speculative Tales from the Caribbean by : Karen Lord

Download or read book New Worlds, Old Ways: Speculative Tales from the Caribbean written by Karen Lord and published by Akashic Books. This book was released on 2016-11-15 with total page 164 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The Caribbean has a powerful, modern tradition of fantastic literature that's on full display in this anthology of original fiction by writers from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Bermuda...None of these writers is likely to be familiar to American audiences, but all are worth getting to know. Readers who love the writing of Nalo Hopkinson, Tobias S. Buckell, and Lord herself will savor this volume." --Publishers Weekly, Starred review "New Worlds, Old Ways fulfills its promise of arriving at a recognizable genre of Caribbean speculative fiction. Prior to this collection we have not had any reader-friendly approaches that have directly addressed the genre of Caribbean speculative fiction. Lord, and the various writers in this collection, have given readers access to a hitherto unexplored genre, one that differentiates as well as connects to the treasure trove of Caribbean literature. The collection is a boon for scholars and reading aficionados of the Speculative Fiction genre. And as the editor states, true to its world, New Worlds, Old Ways offers both depth and delight without disappointment. It suggests tthat if one looks closely enough, they will find that Caribbean fiction has always been speculative." --SX Salon Do not be misled by the "speculative" in the title. Although there may be robots and fantastical creatures, these common symbols are tools to frame the familiar from fresh perspectives. Here you will find the recent past and ongoing present of government and society with curfews, crime, and corruption; the universal themes of family, growth and death, love and hate; the struggle to thrive when power is capricious and revenge too bittersweet. Here too is the passage of everything—old ways, places, peoples, and ourselves—leaving nothing behind but memories, histories, and stories. This anthology speaks to the fragility of our Caribbean home, but reminds the reader that although home may be vulnerable, it is also beautifully resilient. The voice of our literature declares that in spite of disasters, this people and this place shall not be wholly destroyed. Read for delight, then read for depth, and you will not be disappointed. Brand-new stories by: Tammi Browne-Bannister, Summer Edward, Portia Subran, Brandon O'Brien, Kevin Jared Hosein, Richard B. Lynch, Elizabeth J. Jones, Damion Wilson, Brian Franklin, Ararimeh Aiyejina, and H.K. Williams. New Worlds, Old Ways is the third publication of Peekash Press, an imprint of Akashic Books and Peepal Tree Press committed to supporting the emergence of new Caribbean writing, and as part of the CaribLit project.

The Old Ways

Author : Robert Macfarlane
Publisher : Penguin
ISBN 13 : 1101601078
Total Pages : 461 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (16 download)

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Book Synopsis The Old Ways by : Robert Macfarlane

Download or read book The Old Ways written by Robert Macfarlane and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2012-10-11 with total page 461 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the acclaimed author of The Wild Places and Underland, an exploration of walking and thinking In this exquisitely written book, Robert Macfarlane sets off from his Cambridge, England, home to follow the ancient tracks, holloways, drove roads, and sea paths that crisscross both the British landscape and its waters and territories beyond. The result is an immersive, enthralling exploration of the ghosts and voices that haunt old paths, of the stories our tracks keep and tell, and of pilgrimage and ritual. Told in Macfarlane’s distinctive voice, The Old Ways folds together natural history, cartography, geology, archaeology and literature. His walks take him from the chalk downs of England to the bird islands of the Scottish northwest, from Palestine to the sacred landscapes of Spain and the Himalayas. Along the way he crosses paths with walkers of many kinds—wanderers, pilgrims, guides, and artists. Above all this is a book about walking as a journey inward and the subtle ways we are shaped by the landscapes through which we move. Macfarlane discovers that paths offer not just a means of traversing space, but of feeling, knowing, and thinking.

Old World, New World

Author : Kathleen Burk
Publisher : Grove Press
ISBN 13 : 9780802144294
Total Pages : 844 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (442 download)

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Book Synopsis Old World, New World by : Kathleen Burk

Download or read book Old World, New World written by Kathleen Burk and published by Grove Press. This book was released on 2009 with total page 844 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A history of the relationship between Great Britain and the United States ranges from the establishment of the first English colony in the New World to the present day, examining both nations in terms of what connected them and what drove them apart.

New Worlds, Old Ways: Speculative Tales from the Caribbean

Author : Karen Lord
Publisher : Akashic Books
ISBN 13 : 1617755273
Total Pages : 164 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (177 download)

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Book Synopsis New Worlds, Old Ways: Speculative Tales from the Caribbean by : Karen Lord

Sabbats

Author : Edain McCoy
Publisher : Llewellyn Worldwide
ISBN 13 : 9781567186635
Total Pages : 374 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (866 download)

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Book Synopsis Sabbats by : Edain McCoy

Download or read book Sabbats written by Edain McCoy and published by Llewellyn Worldwide. This book was released on 2002-09-08 with total page 374 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Mark the passing of time and honor each season with sacred ritual and seasonal craftwork, ancient stories and traditional treats. Create a colorful mask for Samhain, make a honey cake for Imbolg, fashion a chaplet of flowers at Bealtaine, bake a Brigid's blackberry pie for Lughnasadh, even accompany your sabbat festivities with music from eight traditional musical scores--it's easy with Sabbats as your guide. Learn how to combine old customs with new expressions of your beliefs and your chosen tradition. Deepen your connection to the turning of the wheel as you celebrate the eight sacred seasons of the Witches' year.

Pragmatism, A New Name For Some Old Ways of Thinking

Author : William James
Publisher : Prabhat Prakashan
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 159 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis Pragmatism, A New Name For Some Old Ways of Thinking by : William James

Download or read book Pragmatism, A New Name For Some Old Ways of Thinking written by William James and published by Prabhat Prakashan. This book was released on 2023-10-01 with total page 159 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking by William James is a groundbreaking work that explores the philosophy of pragmatism and its practical applications in personal development and decision-making. Key Aspects of Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking: Pragmatic Approach to Life: The book introduces readers to the concept of pragmatism, which emphasizes the practical consequences of beliefs and actions. James argues that truth should be evaluated based on its usefulness and effectiveness in achieving desired outcomes. He encourages readers to adopt a pragmatic mindset and make decisions that lead to practical results and personal growth. Flexibility and Adaptability: Pragmatism promotes a flexible and adaptive approach to life. James argues that individuals should be open to new ideas, experiences, and perspectives, constantly reassessing and adjusting their beliefs and actions based on practical outcomes. The book emphasizes the importance of learning from experience, experimenting, and adapting to changing circumstances to achieve personal and professional success. Action-Oriented Thinking: James highlights the significance of taking action and testing ideas in the real world. He argues that theories and concepts should be put into practice to determine their validity and effectiveness. Pragmatism encourages readers to actively engage with the world, pursue their goals, and learn from their experiences to continually refine their thinking and approach to life. Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking provides readers with a philosophical framework that can be applied to personal development and decision-making. By embracing pragmatism, individuals can adopt a practical, flexible, and action-oriented mindset, enabling them to navigate challenges, make informed choices, and achieve their goals. William James' thought-provoking ideas and practical insights make this book a valuable resource for those seeking personal growth and development. William James: William James, born in 1842, was an American philosopher and psychologist. Considered one of the founders of American psychology, James made significant contributions to the fields of pragmatism and the study of consciousness. His influential works, such as The Principles of Psychology and Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking, revolutionized our understanding of the mind, perception, and the nature of truth. James' pragmatic philosophy emphasized the practical consequences of beliefs and ideas, shaping the development of American philosophy and psychology.

A Little History of the World

Author : E. H. Gombrich
Publisher : Yale University Press
ISBN 13 : 0300213972
Total Pages : 401 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (2 download)

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Book Synopsis A Little History of the World by : E. H. Gombrich

Download or read book A Little History of the World written by E. H. Gombrich and published by Yale University Press. This book was released on 2014-10-01 with total page 401 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: E. H. Gombrich's Little History of the World, though written in 1935, has become one of the treasures of historical writing since its first publication in English in 2005. The Yale edition alone has now sold over half a million copies, and the book is available worldwide in almost thirty languages. Gombrich was of course the best-known art historian of his time, and his text suggests illustrations on every page. This illustrated edition of the Little History brings together the pellucid humanity of his narrative with the images that may well have been in his mind's eye as he wrote the book. The two hundred illustrations—most of them in full color—are not simple embellishments, though they are beautiful. They emerge from the text, enrich the author's intention, and deepen the pleasure of reading this remarkable work. For this edition the text is reset in a spacious format, flowing around illustrations that range from paintings to line drawings, emblems, motifs, and symbols. The book incorporates freshly drawn maps, a revised preface, and a new index. Blending high-grade design, fine paper, and classic binding, this is both a sumptuous gift book and an enhanced edition of a timeless account of human history.

A History of the World in 100 Objects

Author : Neil MacGregor
Publisher : Penguin UK
ISBN 13 : 0141966831
Total Pages : 564 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (419 download)

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Book Synopsis A History of the World in 100 Objects by : Neil MacGregor

Download or read book A History of the World in 100 Objects written by Neil MacGregor and published by Penguin UK. This book was released on 2011-10-06 with total page 564 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book takes a dramatically original approach to the history of humanity, using objects which previous civilisations have left behind them, often accidentally, as prisms through which we can explore past worlds and the lives of the men and women who lived in them. The book's range is enormous. It begins with one of the earliest surviving objects made by human hands, a chopping tool from the Olduvai gorge in Africa, and ends with an object from the 21st century which represents the world we live in today. Neil MacGregor's aim is not simply to describe these remarkable things, but to show us their significance - how a stone pillar tells us about a great Indian emperor preaching tolerance to his people, how Spanish pieces of eight tell us about the beginning of a global currency or how an early Victorian tea-set tells us about the impact of empire. Each chapter immerses the reader in a past civilisation accompanied by an exceptionally well-informed guide. Seen through this lens, history is a kaleidoscope - shifting, interconnected, constantly surprising, and shaping our world today in ways that most of us have never imagined. An intellectual and visual feast, it is one of the most engrossing and unusual history books published in years.

The Old Ways

Author : Rk Summers
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781908600387
Total Pages : 424 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (3 download)

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Book Synopsis The Old Ways by : Rk Summers

Download or read book The Old Ways written by Rk Summers and published by . This book was released on 2015-09-29 with total page 424 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Something snapped. He let the arrow fly. The night Thomas Rhymer's young sister is stolen away by shadows and smoke, he discovers there's more to life than the fields and forests he knows so well. If he has any hope of rescuing Alissa, he must first cross into a realm where magic is lifeblood, and where shadows dance with dragonfire. With the help of the seelie faery Thistledown, Thomas embarks on a treacherous quest, deep into the heart of war-raved Albion. But getting his sister back means pledging aid to Mab, the usurped Queen of the Old Ways, against the tyranny of the Dark Prince. Yet danger and deceit lie around every corner, and some secrets are better left untold.

The Black Church

Author : Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Publisher : Penguin
ISBN 13 : 1984880330
Total Pages : 338 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (848 download)

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Book Synopsis The Black Church by : Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Download or read book The Black Church written by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2021-02-16 with total page 338 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The instant New York Times bestseller and companion book to the PBS series. “Absolutely brilliant . . . A necessary and moving work.” —Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., author of Begin Again “Engaging. . . . In Gates’s telling, the Black church shines bright even as the nation itself moves uncertainly through the gloaming, seeking justice on earth—as it is in heaven.” —Jon Meacham, New York Times Book Review From the New York Times bestselling author of Stony the Road and The Black Box, and one of our most important voices on the African American experience, comes a powerful new history of the Black church as a foundation of Black life and a driving force in the larger freedom struggle in America. For the young Henry Louis Gates, Jr., growing up in a small, residentially segregated West Virginia town, the church was a center of gravity—an intimate place where voices rose up in song and neighbors gathered to celebrate life's blessings and offer comfort amid its trials and tribulations. In this tender and expansive reckoning with the meaning of the Black Church in America, Gates takes us on a journey spanning more than five centuries, from the intersection of Christianity and the transatlantic slave trade to today’s political landscape. At road’s end, and after Gates’s distinctive meditation on the churches of his childhood, we emerge with a new understanding of the importance of African American religion to the larger national narrative—as a center of resistance to slavery and white supremacy, as a magnet for political mobilization, as an incubator of musical and oratorical talent that would transform the culture, and as a crucible for working through the Black community’s most critical personal and social issues. In a country that has historically afforded its citizens from the African diaspora tragically few safe spaces, the Black Church has always been more than a sanctuary. This fact was never lost on white supremacists: from the earliest days of slavery, when enslaved people were allowed to worship at all, their meetinghouses were subject to surveillance and destruction. Long after slavery’s formal eradication, church burnings and bombings by anti-Black racists continued, a hallmark of the violent effort to suppress the African American struggle for equality. The past often isn’t even past—Dylann Roof committed his slaughter in the Mother Emanuel AME Church 193 years after it was first burned down by white citizens of Charleston, South Carolina, following a thwarted slave rebellion. But as Gates brilliantly shows, the Black church has never been only one thing. Its story lies at the heart of the Black political struggle, and it has produced many of the Black community’s most notable leaders. At the same time, some churches and denominations have eschewed political engagement and exemplified practices of exclusion and intolerance that have caused polarization and pain. Those tensions remain today, as a rising generation demands freedom and dignity for all within and beyond their communities, regardless of race, sex, or gender. Still, as a source of faith and refuge, spiritual sustenance and struggle against society’s darkest forces, the Black Church has been central, as this enthralling history makes vividly clear.

Pragmatism - A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking by William James

Author : William James
Publisher : Myers Education Press
ISBN 13 : 1975501632
Total Pages : 183 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (755 download)

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Book Synopsis Pragmatism - A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking by William James by : William James

Download or read book Pragmatism - A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking by William James written by William James and published by Myers Education Press. This book was released on 2019-04-18 with total page 183 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This new release of the classic text Pragmatism is absolutely timely. James' seminal statement of pragmatism's underpinnings and its treatment of essential philosophical questions (the nature of truth; the one and the many; free will; etc.) could not come at a more appropriate time. In a “post-truth” era of fake news, alternative facts, and a belief that "truth isn't truth," James' presentation of pragmatism as a method of adjudicating truth-claims is a must-read. Perfect for courses in: Philosophy of Education (Graduate Level), American Philosophy (Graduate and Upper-Level Undergraduate), American Studies, Special topics class on William James or Pragmatism, Sociology of Education (Graduate Level), Religious Studies.

Between the World and Me

Author : Ta-Nehisi Coates
Publisher : One World
ISBN 13 : 0679645985
Total Pages : 163 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (796 download)

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Book Synopsis Between the World and Me by : Ta-Nehisi Coates

Download or read book Between the World and Me written by Ta-Nehisi Coates and published by One World. This book was released on 2015-07-14 with total page 163 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER • NAMED ONE OF TIME’S TEN BEST NONFICTION BOOKS OF THE DECADE • PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST • NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST • ONE OF OPRAH’S “BOOKS THAT HELP ME THROUGH” • NOW AN HBO ORIGINAL SPECIAL EVENT Hailed by Toni Morrison as “required reading,” a bold and personal literary exploration of America’s racial history by “the most important essayist in a generation and a writer who changed the national political conversation about race” (Rolling Stone) NAMED ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BOOKS OF THE DECADE BY CNN • NAMED ONE OF PASTE’S BEST MEMOIRS OF THE DECADE • NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times Book Review • O: The Oprah Magazine • The Washington Post • People • Entertainment Weekly • Vogue • Los Angeles Times • San Francisco Chronicle • Chicago Tribune • New York • Newsday • Library Journal • Publishers Weekly In a profound work that pivots from the biggest questions about American history and ideals to the most intimate concerns of a father for his son, Ta-Nehisi Coates offers a powerful new framework for understanding our nation’s history and current crisis. Americans have built an empire on the idea of “race,” a falsehood that damages us all but falls most heavily on the bodies of black women and men—bodies exploited through slavery and segregation, and, today, threatened, locked up, and murdered out of all proportion. What is it like to inhabit a black body and find a way to live within it? And how can we all honestly reckon with this fraught history and free ourselves from its burden? Between the World and Me is Ta-Nehisi Coates’s attempt to answer these questions in a letter to his adolescent son. Coates shares with his son—and readers—the story of his awakening to the truth about his place in the world through a series of revelatory experiences, from Howard University to Civil War battlefields, from the South Side of Chicago to Paris, from his childhood home to the living rooms of mothers whose children’s lives were taken as American plunder. Beautifully woven from personal narrative, reimagined history, and fresh, emotionally charged reportage, Between the World and Me clearly illuminates the past, bracingly confronts our present, and offers a transcendent vision for a way forward.

How Italian Food Conquered the World

Author : John F. Mariani
Publisher : Macmillan + ORM
ISBN 13 : 0230112412
Total Pages : 415 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (31 download)

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Book Synopsis How Italian Food Conquered the World by : John F. Mariani

Download or read book How Italian Food Conquered the World written by John F. Mariani and published by Macmillan + ORM. This book was released on 2011-03-15 with total page 415 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Not so long ago, Italian food was regarded as a poor man's gruel-little more than pizza, macaroni with sauce, and red wines in a box. Here, John Mariani shows how the Italian immigrants to America created, through perseverance and sheer necessity, an Italian-American food culture, and how it became a global obsession. The book begins with the Greek, Roman, and Middle Eastern culinary traditions before the boot-shaped peninsula was even called "Italy," then takes readers on a journey through Europe and across the ocean to America alongside the poor but hopeful Italian immigrants who slowly but surely won over the hearts and minds of Americans by way of their stomachs. Featuring evil villains such as the Atkins diet and French chefs, this is a rollicking tale of how Italian cuisine rose to its place as the most beloved fare in the world, through the lives of the people who led the charge. With savory anecdotes from these top chefs and restaurateurs: - Mario Batali - Danny Meyer - Tony Mantuano - Michael Chiarello - Giada de Laurentiis - Giuseppe Cipriani - Nigella Lawson And the trials and triumphs of these restaurants: - Da Silvano - Spiaggia - Bottega - Union Square Cafe - Maialino - Rao's - Babbo - Il Cantinori

Salt

Author : Mark Kurlansky
Publisher : Vintage Canada
ISBN 13 : 030736979X
Total Pages : 490 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (73 download)

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Book Synopsis Salt by : Mark Kurlansky

Download or read book Salt written by Mark Kurlansky and published by Vintage Canada. This book was released on 2011-03-18 with total page 490 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the award-winning and bestselling author of Cod comes the dramatic, human story of a simple substance, an element almost as vital as water, that has created fortunes, provoked revolutions, directed economies and enlivened our recipes. Salt is common, easy to obtain and inexpensive. It is the stuff of kitchens and cooking. Yet trade routes were established, alliances built and empires secured – all for something that filled the oceans, bubbled up from springs, formed crusts in lake beds, and thickly veined a large part of the Earth’s rock fairly close to the surface. From pre-history until just a century ago – when the mysteries of salt were revealed by modern chemistry and geology – no one knew that salt was virtually everywhere. Accordingly, it was one of the most sought-after commodities in human history. Even today, salt is a major industry. Canada, Kurlansky tells us, is the world’s sixth largest salt producer, with salt works in Ontario playing a major role in satisfying the Americans’ insatiable demand. As he did in his highly acclaimed Cod, Mark Kurlansky once again illuminates the big picture by focusing on one seemingly modest detail. In the process, the world is revealed as never before.

The Fabric of Civilization

Author : Virginia Postrel
Publisher : Basic Books
ISBN 13 : 1541617614
Total Pages : 320 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (416 download)

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Book Synopsis The Fabric of Civilization by : Virginia Postrel

Download or read book The Fabric of Civilization written by Virginia Postrel and published by Basic Books. This book was released on 2020-11-10 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From Paleolithic flax to 3D knitting, explore the global history of textiles and the world they weave together in this enthralling and educational guide. The story of humanity is the story of textiles -- as old as civilization itself. Since the first thread was spun, the need for textiles has driven technology, business, politics, and culture. In The Fabric of Civilization, Virginia Postrel synthesizes groundbreaking research from archaeology, economics, and science to reveal a surprising history. From Minoans exporting wool colored with precious purple dye to Egypt, to Romans arrayed in costly Chinese silk, the cloth trade paved the crossroads of the ancient world. Textiles funded the Renaissance and the Mughal Empire; they gave us banks and bookkeeping, Michelangelo's David and the Taj Mahal. The cloth business spread the alphabet and arithmetic, propelled chemical research, and taught people to think in binary code. Assiduously researched and deftly narrated, The Fabric of Civilization tells the story of the world's most influential commodity.

The Foie Gras Wars

Author : Mark Caro
Publisher : Simon and Schuster
ISBN 13 : 143915838X
Total Pages : 369 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (391 download)

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Book Synopsis The Foie Gras Wars by : Mark Caro

Download or read book The Foie Gras Wars written by Mark Caro and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2009-03-10 with total page 369 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In announcing that he had stopped serving the fattened livers of force-fed ducks and geese at his world-renowned restaurant, influential chef Charlie Trotter heaved a grenade into a simmering food fight, and the Foie Gras Wars erupted. He said his morally minded menu revision was meant merely to raise consciousness, but what was he thinking when he also suggested -- to Chicago Tribune reporter Mark Caro -- that a rival four-star chef 's liver be eaten as "a little treat"? The reaction to Caro's subsequent front-page story was explosive, as Trotter's sizable hometown moved to ban the ancient delicacy known as foie gras while an international array of activists, farmers, chefs and politicians clashed forcefully and sometimes violently over whether fattening birds for the sake of scrumptious livers amounts to ethical agriculture or torture. "Take a dish with a funny French name, add ducks, top it all off with celebrity chefs eating each other's livers, and that's entertainment," Caro writes. Yet as absurd as battling over bloated waterfowl organs might seem, the controversy struck a serious chord even among those who had never tasted the stuff. Reporting from the front lines of this passionate dining debate, Caro explores the questions we too often avoid: What is an acceptable amount of suffering for an animal that winds up on our plate? Is a duck that lives comfortably for twelve weeks before enduring a few weeks of periodic force-feedings worse off than a supermarket broiler chicken that never sees the light of day over its six to seven weeks on earth? Why is the animal-rights movement picking on such a rarefied dish when so many more chickens, pigs and cows are being processed on factory farms? Then again, how could the treatment of other animals possibly justify the practice of feeding a duck through a metal tube down its throat? In his relentless yet good-humored pursuit of clarity, Caro takes us to the streets where activists use bullhorns, spray paint, Superglue and/or lawsuits as their weapons; the government chambers where politicians weigh the ducks' interests against their own; the restaurants and outlaw dining clubs where haute cuisine preparations coexist with Foie-lipops; and the U.S. and French farms whose operators maintain that they are honoring tradition, not abusing animals. Can foie gras survive after 5,000 years? Are we on the verge of a more enlightened era of eating? Can both answers be yes? Our appetites hang in the balance.