Focusing on modern-day fiction set in the Middle Ages or that incorporates medieval elements, this study examines storytelling components and rhetorical tropes in more than 60 works in five languages
The history of Italian cinema includes, in addition to the renowned auteurs, a number of peculiar and lesser-known filmmakers. While their artistry was often plagued with production setbacks, their wo
Under the threat of climate change, corruption, inequality and injustice, Americans may feel they are living in a dystopian novel come to life. Like many American narratives, dystopian stories often f
The Capitol Page Program allowed high school juniors to serve as nonpartisan federal employees performing a number of duties within the House, Senate and Supreme Court. Though only Senate Pages remain
One of FX’s most successful original productions, Sons of Anarchy roared onto the screen in 2008 and dominated the cable network’s programming for seven seasons. Following an outlaw motorcycle club on
New Zealand author Janet Frame (1924–2004) during her lifetime published 11 novels, three collections of short stories, a volume of poetry and a children's book. Her posthumous publications include a
William Edmondson “Grumble” Jones was among the most notable Southwest Virginians to fight in the Civil War. The Washington County native graduated from Emory & Henry College and West Point. While an
More than two million people are incarcerated in America’s prisons—one in nine is serving a life sentence. Mass long-term imprisonment devours state budgets, adversely affects community well-being and
"This history examines the outbreak of witch hysteria in the Valley, focusing on accusations of demonic possession, apotropaic magic and the role of the clergy. Although the hysteria was eventually qu
We tend to associate small town economic development with the decline of the rural United States—empty houses, shuttered shops and rusting factories. A common diagnosis of sluggish small town recovery
The region along Deep River in central North Carolina once boasted a small but significant coal mining industry that for nearly two centuries provided fuel for manufacturing and domestic use. Confront
Major League Baseball was in crisis in 1968. The commissioner was inept, professional football was challenging the sport’s popularity and the game on the field was boring, with pitchers dominating hit
Aren't we all TV critics? It’s a question that overlooks the importance of professional critics whose print and online columns reach large audiences. Their work helps viewers engage with programming a
"This book describes action in detail and in larger context of the history of black U.S. servicemen, including British recruitment of runaway slaves during the Revolutionary War, the black Colonial Ma
This book describes the experiences of eight contemporary women farmers to illustrate how they struggle to survive and work to make the world better. It details the history of women's relationship
This volume provides abbreviated versions of key speeches of the Natives Representatives Council between 1937 and 1950, formed as the result of the 1936 Natives Representation Act, which was passed by
Smaller in population than several U.S. cities, the state of Iowa has become an unexpected and unparalleled proving ground for would-be presidential candidates. The Iowa caucuses provide a unique bran
“This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny,” said President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the young Americans who grew up during the deprivation of the Great Depression and later served du
The Birmingham Black Barons was a nationally known team in baseball’s Negro leagues from 1920-1962. Among its storied players were Baseball Hall of Famers Satchel Paige, Willie Mays, and Mule Suttles.
Based on original interviews, this book relates the experiences of nine Syrian women refugees and their perspectives on a range of subjects. Each narrative reveals a displaced woman’s concept of the s
Louis Paulsen (1833–1891) was one of the 19th century’s strongest chess players and a world record holder in blindfold chess. He maintained an unbeaten record in matches, created several opening syste
The U.S. Army 7708 War Crimes Group investigated atrocities committed in Germany and Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II. These young Americans—many barely out of their teens—gathered evidence, i
The contents of the Shakespeare canon have come into question in recent years as scholars add plays or declare others only partially his work. Now, new literary and historical evidence demonstrates th
As video gaming and gaming culture became more mainstream in the 1970s, science fiction authors began to incorporate aspects of each into their work. This study examines how media-fueled paranoia abou
The 13th Century was a fascinating era in world history. Genghis Khan established the largest contiguous land empire in history. The Magna Carta was drafted. Marco Polo travelled through Asia and trad
Charlie Chaplin the actor is universally synonymous with his beloved Tramp character. Chaplin the director is considered one of the great auteurs and innovators of cinema history. Less well known is C
Much of 20th century science fiction foretold technological and social developments—some fanciful, some dystopian—beyond the year 2000. Since then, a key theme has been: what happens when the future n
Psychic phenomena, recorded throughout human history, remained a mystery or a matter of faith rather than a subject of serious study until scientists began to investigate them roughly a century and a
Before the Gold Rush of 1848–1858, Alta (Upper) California was an isolated cattle frontier—and home to a colorful group of Spanish speaking, non-indigenous people known as Californios. Profiting from
More than any other sport, baseball has developed its own niche in America’s culture and psyche. Some researchers spend years on detailed statistical analyses of minute parts of the game, while others
Georges Simenon’s 75 novels and 28 short stories featuring Chief Inspector Jules Maigret provide us with a great deal of information about the French police detective—but only in small, episodic doses
Ajax, the archetypal Greek warrior, has over the years been trivialized as a peripheral character in the classics through Hollywood representations, and by the use of his name on household cleaning pr
"This collection of first-person accounts chronicles the experiences of 13 humanitarians who travelled to Sudan to provide food, medical care and spiritual support to the besieged people of the Nuba M
The 1970 merger between the American Football League and the National Football League laid the foundation for a stronger brand of gridiron competition, providing a new level of excitement for fans. Th
Drawing on historical documents and newspaper reports, this book provides a fascinating portrait of a diverse group of character actresses who left their stamp on Hollywood from the early sound era th
Dozens of books about the Iraq War have been written by politicians, generals, snipers and Special Forces operatives. This war journal of an enlisted U.S. Marine provides an un-glamorized narrative of
"This comprehensive first biography of Bird provides a detailed account of his personal life and a deeply researched coverage of his feats at the chess board. Almost 1,200 games are included, hundreds
"The War of 1812 saw the United States wracked by political dissent and problematic military policy. The grievances listed in President Madison's war message to Congress were all mitigated by the time
Venditta, a retired newspaper writer and editor, describes his quest to reconstruct a grenade accident in an American Division training explosion at Chu Lai during the Vietnam War, in which his cousin
The 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry suffered the second highest number of battle deaths of all the Union regiments, in every theater, throughout the course of the Civil War. Nevertheless, this hardy and de
