New Releases by James Howard

Byzantium was a strange entity--a relic of classical antiquity which survived deep into the Middle Ages. Drawing on a lifetime''s work in the field of Byzantine studies, James Howard-Johnston aims to explain Byzantium''s longevity, first as a state geared to fighting a two-centuries long guerrilla war of defence, then as an increasingly confident regional power. It is only by analysing its economic, social, and institutional structures that this strange medieval afterlife of the rump of the Roman empire can be understood. This collection of linked essays outlines the fundamental features of Byzantium, with a focus on the seventh to eleventh centuries. The essays delve below the agitated surface of political, religious, and intellectual history to home in on (1) alterations in economic conditions; and (2) structural change in the social order and apparatus of government. The economic foundations of society and state are examined over the long term, with emphasis placed on mercantile enterprise throughout. Howard-Johnston identifies warfare as the prime driver of social and institutional change in a first phase (seventh to eighth centuries), when the peasant villager rose to a dominant position in the collective mindset and the administration was centralised and militarised as never before. A second phase of change is then highlighted, after the mid-ninth century when Byzantium''s security was assured. Military and administrative arrangements were adapted as the empire expanded. The service aristocracy which had developed in the dark centuries began to assert itself to the detriment of the peasantry, but was, Howard-Johnston argues, countered reasonably effectively by new legislation. There was a renaissance in cultural life, most marked in the intellectual sphere in the eleventh century. Finally, the sharp decline in Byzantium''s military fortunes from the mid-eleventh century is attributed to external factors rather than internal weakness.

Reflections on a Father and a Son is a journey that at times is gut wrenching while at other moments pause worthy. As a five year old enduring painful spinal taps in a Polio Ward to an adolescent experimenting with epic classroom disruptions, this collection of deeds maligned by misdeeds appears to have only one possible outcome: reform school. Readers witness how growing up in the 1950s and 60s was negotiated in small towns with even smaller margins of supervision. Travel along route 9 from Stottville to Rouses Point, a micro village tucked away innocently in the northeast corner of the Lake Champlain Valley basin of New York State. The early years in the Hudson Valley involve tales of exploration, cruelty, and friendship. After moving just south of the Canadian border, the adventures take on a downward spiral. Crawl through collapsed tunnels in a 19th century deserted fort, rummage the contents of railroad cars for cigarettes or discover how to survive multiple school suspensions. The odyssey intensifies as consistent threads weave through a contentious relationship between father and son. Their bond is buttressed by an ever increasing repertoire of senseless acts bent on destroying all possibilities of post-high school success. Save for one prescient and observant English teacher, a fruitful future would have been squandered. Participate in the transformation of a non-compliant teenager to a tremulous college applicant; the result of one teacher believing in one outlier.

Complete Poems (Collected) brings together the full body of Poe''s poetic output in a single volume. With precise and beautiful language, Poe explores the depths of the human psyche in unparalleled ways, examining themes of love, loss, death, and the supernatural. This volume is an essential addition to any library of American poetry. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

One man is dead, another in prison. This is not how I envisioned my life would go. I couldn''t wrap my head around what was happening. Less than a month ago, I had been living the dream of every farm boy in Texas. I was almost sixteen and having the time of my life. I played football on Thursday nights and marched in the band on Fridays. Soon I would get my driver''s license and be able to drive my dad''s Dodge truck. Then I''d borrow it to take my girlfriend on a date. I was even planning to run for student council the next year. But in a span of three days my whole life had changed. Now we were running from tiny Glen Rose, TX to Pensacola, FL, and living the stuff of nightmares. And so began my long struggle with God—who, though I did not know it, would never give up on me. Each of us struggle with unplanned problems. Bad things happen to good people. Through this moving story, may you find hope, help, and comfort only found in Jesus Christ that will enable you not just to survive trouble but to thrive in the midst of it and come out the other side finding perfection only in God''s grace.

In "The Mania of the Nations on the Planet Mars and its Terrific Consequences," James Howard Calisch presents a thought-provoking narrative that explores the intersection of politics, human ambition, and extraterrestrial life. Through a unique blend of speculative fiction and social commentary, Calisch crafts a vivid portrayal of a future where nations vie for dominance on the red planet. The novel is characterized by its intricate world-building, engaging prose, and an astute examination of the consequences of imperialism and conflict. This work stands in dialogue with the burgeoning genre of science fiction in the early 20th century, borrowing from the influences of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne while pushing the boundaries of the genre into the realm of political allegory. James Howard Calisch, an American author and journalist, possessed a keen interest in the sociopolitical dynamics of his time, particularly in relation to nationalism and expansionism. Calisch''s background in journalism and his exposure to the tumultuous political landscape of the early 1900s profoundly informed his writing. His work reflects a deep understanding of humanity''Äôs penchant for conflict and the inevitable consequences that arise from unchecked ambition. This book is highly recommended for readers interested in the profound themes of human nature reflected through the lens of science fiction. Calisch''Äôs exploration of the implications of colonization on Mars invites reflection on our own world''Äôs history and future. Engage with this compelling narrative and allow it to challenge your perceptions of society, ambition, and the cosmos.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

The World Made by Hand postapocalyptic saga concludes with this "suspenseful tale spiked with suffering and violence, rough justice and love" ( Booklist). The small town of Union Grove has adapted, struggled, and thrived in the new age of civilization. But early spring is full of hardships: Fresh food is scarce and the winter stores are almost gone. Despite the time of privation, young explorer Daniel Earle resurrects the town newspaper, and the town trustees ask him to help revive the Hudson River trade route. But even as the townsfolk strive forward, a group of visitors remind them that nothing is easy in the new world. They proclaim themselves as representatives of the Berkshire People''s Republic, spouting high-minded, near-fanatical rhetoric of social justice and absolute equality—all while demanding tribute from the citizens under slyly veiled threats. Now, the townspeople of Union Grove will have to decide just how far they are willing to go to keep the freedom and peace for which they have fought so hard . . . With this glimpse into a future that could become reality all too soon, James Howard Kunstler delivers "a slyly folksy, caustically hilarious, unabashedly proselytizing, and affecting finale in a keenly provocative saga." ( Booklist).

Humanity hangs on after the fall of civilization in this "wily, funny, rip-roaring, and profoundly provocative page-turner" ( Booklist, starred review). After the collapse of the old world—the pandemics, the environmental disasters, the end of oil, the ensuing chaos—people are pursuing a simpler and sometimes happier existence. In Union Grove, New York, the townspeople are preparing for Christmas . . . the perfect time for a long-lost member of the community to return. Robert Earle''s son, Daniel, has come home after two years exploring what is left of the United States. He brings news of three new nations arisen from what was once America—and the dangers and possibilities they may hold. Meanwhile, a horrific murder threatens to turn the community of Union Grove against itself—and what is supposed to be a time of peace and togetherness is overtaken by suspicion and fear. In this vividly depicted look at a world that may be on our own horizon, "Kunstler skewers everything from kitsch to greed, prejudice, bloodshed, and brainwashing" in a gripping story of hope, hate, and humanity''s last chance at survival ( Booklist).

The forty years of American Indian literature taken up by James H. Cox--the decades between 1920 and 1960--have been called politically and intellectually moribund. On the contrary, Cox identifies a group of American Indian writers who share an interest in the revolutionary potential of the indigenous peoples of Mexico--and whose work demonstrates a surprisingly assertive literary politics in the era. By contextualizing this group of American Indian authors in the work of their contemporaries, Cox reveals how the literary history of this period is far more rich and nuanced than is generally acknowledged. The writers he focuses on--Todd Downing (Choctaw), Lynn Riggs (Cherokee), and D''Arcy McNickle (Confederated Salish and Kootenai)--are shown to be on par with writers of the preceding Progressive and the succeeding Red Power and Native American literary renaissance eras. Arguing that American Indian literary history of this period actually coheres in exciting ways with the literature of the Native American literary renaissance, Cox repudiates the intellectual and political border that has emerged between the two eras.

James Howard-Johnston provides a sweeping and highly readable account of probably the most dramatic single episode in world history - the emergence of a new religion (Islam), the destruction of two established great powers (Roman and Iranian), and the creation of a new world empire by the Arabs, all in the space of not much more than a generation (610-52 AD). Warfare looms large, especially where operations can be followed in some detail, as in Iraq 636-40, in Egypt 641-2 and in the long-drawn out battle for the Mediterranean (649-98). As the first history of the formative phase of Islam to be grounded in the important non-Islamic as well as Islamic sources Witnesses to a World Crisis is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand Islam as a religion and political force, the modern Middle East, and the jihadist impulse, which is as evident today as it was in the seventh century.

American Legionnaires Of France: A Directory Of The Citizens Of The United States On Whom France Has Conferred Her National Order, The Legion Of Honor

THE BEVERLY HILLS MONSTER is the incredible adventure of young Billy Steele living in the topsy-turvy world of Hollywood, where he learns the important life lesson of helping someone in need -- Roddy, a living, breathing movie prop creature who wants to stop portraying evil movie monsters! Discover how Roddy is magically brought to life! Then, follow along as Billy enlists his family''s gardener, Mister Yamamoto, who once played the classic Japanese fantasy movie superhero Astroman, to help maneuver Roddy through the hurly-burly craziness of Los Angeles so the hypochondriac creature can live a quiet life in a place of peaceful seclusion.

In an apocalyptic vision of a post-oil future, the author of The Geography of Nowhere details the economic, political, and social changes of an unimaginable scale that can be expected after the tipping point of global peak oil production is passed. Reprint. 50,000 first printing.

Recounts the story of the man who traveled west planting apple seeds to make the country a better place to live.

She was an angel in buckskin on a big spotted horse. With two six guns blazin'', Annie Oakley was the star of Buffalo Bill Cody''s famous Wild West Show for almost 20 years. Your entire family will enjoy this spirited tale of a talented frontier woman whose sharp-shooting exploits brought her international fame.

This title takes an in-depth look at the history, development and state of architectural and societal success of cities, including London, Rome, Berlin, Paris and Mexico City.

In his landmark book The Geography of Nowhere James Howard Kunstler visited the "tragic sprawlscape of cartoon architecture, junked cities, and ravaged countryside" America had become and declared that the deteriorating environment was not merely a symptom of a troubled culture, but one of the primary causes of our discontent. In Home from Nowhere Kunstler not only shows that the original American Dream -- the desire for peaceful, pleasant places in which to work and live -- still has a strong hold on our imaginations, but also offers innovative, eminently practical ways to make that dream a reality. Citing examples from around the country, he calls for the restoration of traditional architecture, the introduction of enduring design principles in urban planning, and the development of public spaces that acknowledge our need to interact comfortable with one another.

Argues that much of what surrounds Americans is depressing, ugly, and unhealthy; and traces America''s evolution from a land of village commons to a man-made landscape that ignores nature and human needs.

Story of the Tuskegee experiment where gvoernment doctors infected black patients with syphillis.

"Experiences and impressions of the author as a captive of bandits in Heilungchiang province, China ... during the summer and early fall of 1925"--Foreword.