Introduction to MATLAB

Ovid was, despite his faults, what Macaulay called him, 'a good fellow'. But he was also a wit, the product of an age of refinement. More important, he was an artist with conscious mastery of a great range of literary artifice; his poetry has a studied movement, a grace, a rich and patterned surface, a music, that have appealed to readers and writers with an ear for ' technique' ever since. In this 1962 volume, Mr Wilkinson writes to communicate his own evident enjoyment and understanding of Ovid's fortunes. A life tells what is known of the poet, and serves as a framework to the account of the poetry. This book, an abridgement of Ovid Recalled, is designed particularly for those who have no Latin: no special knowledge is assumed, and the ample quotation is translated into heroic couplets. The result is a delightful and serviceable introduction to Ovid.

Tag along with the Timekeepers in these history-themed adventure stories to discover amazing people and events that shaped our world. Tag along with the Timekeepers in these history-themed adventure stories for 7 to 9 years olds that will help readers discover the amazing people and events that shaped our world. With a range of adventures that span all of history, The Timekeepers series is perfect for any adventure lover.The Timekeepers are a secret organisation of kids who keep the course of history on track - and history needs them! A villain called DeLay is set on causing chaos. When the hands on their special watches start to spin backwards, the Timekeepers know that DeLay has been up to no good, and it's up to them to put things right. This children's chapter book series offers:- An introduction to history in a way that blends a fun story with real facts, and also includes a non-fiction section with additional information such as, timelines, quizzes, and a glossary.- Beautifully i

Tag along with the Timekeepers in these history-themed adventure stories to discover amazing people and events that shaped our world. Tag along with the Timekeepers in these history-themed adventure stories for 7 to 9 years olds that will help readers discover the amazing people and events that shaped our world. With a range of adventures that span all of history, The Timekeepers series is perfect for any adventure lover.The Timekeepers are a secret organisation of kids who keep the course of history on track - and history needs them! A villain called DeLay is set on causing chaos. When the hands on their special watches start to spin backwards, the Timekeepers know that DeLay has been up to no good, and it's up to them to put things right. This children's chapter book series offers:- An introduction to history in a way that blends a fun story with real facts, and also includes a non-fiction section with additional information such as, timelines, quizzes, and a glossary.- Beautifully i

An ode to the wonderful diversity of dogs (and their owners), this colorful, chunky board book is work of art meant to be displayed face-out on nursery bookshelves.Some dogs are slender. Some dogs are round. Some dogs are leggy, some close to the ground.The dogs in this bright, playful board book come in all shapes, colors, and sizes--but they don't let their differences keep them from having fun together. Every page turn reveals a new layer to Lydia Nichol's adorable depiction of a busy dog park. A gentle introduction to diversity and acceptance, this rhyming story helps young children recognize that differences are often only skin deep.Some Dogs is part of the LAYERED VIEW board book series celebrating the ways in which our differences make the world a diverse place. Whether examining the unique needs of every flower in a garden or the special qualities of every puppy in a dog park, every die-cut page of a LAYERED VIEW book adds a level to the story--all building to one gorgeous, mul

A sweet look at the first year of a baby's life from bestselling author Lucy Knisley--now in board book format! A world of being new is waiting for little ones and the grown-ups who love them in this warm and funny book. From napping to crying to cuddling to playing, this board book introduces the world to newborns (and new parents) with humor, honesty, and unmitigated sweetness. Award-winning author Lucy Knisley's You Are New is a timeless celebration of new beginnings and the transformative power of love. CELEBRATES THE JOY OF HAVING--AND BEING!--A BABY: With so many new experiences to celebrate, this funny and relatable board book provides a bright, sweet introduction to the world of read-aloud books for little ones. It's the perfect choice for reading to a new baby or preparing a sibling for a new arrival! WONDERFUL GIFT FOR NEW BABIES: These vibrant illustrations will delight the youngest of readers! Lucy Knisley's debut picture book, now in sturdy board book format, is a beautifu

A conservation biologist looks at some of the many kinds of animal babies―and the many ways their parents take care of them―in a gentle introduction for young children.Some animals have big babies (did you know a newborn whale weighs three tons?). And some animals have babies that are small (a new kangaroo, less than an inch long, climbs into its mother’s pouch to stay safe and warm). All animals have babies, but not all animal babies are the same, and not all animal parents are the same, either. From parents whose babies look just like them to those with no resemblance at all, from parents who raise their young in a crowd to those who do it all on their own, the range of family setups depicted here shows just how much the lives of animal babies can vary from the time they’re born. Melding a simple narration with more detailed facts on a variety of creatures from leopards to lizards, elephants to sea turtles, butterflies to chimpanzees, fish to flamingos, this fascinating picture book

This is an introduction to world affairs in 1961 and after. It shows in bold outline how our rather small, increasingly overpopulated world has come to be dominated by the two giants powers, the USA and the USSR, with a new class of neutralist ex-colonial countries holding an increasingly important position. While Mr Pearson shows the part played by European or Western influence in creating one world, he also stresses that the outlying parts of the world are now independent and dynamic, and that they have their own personality, aspirations and interests. Mr Pearson begins with the 'European springboard', showing how the Europe of the sixteenth century and after was a kind of powerhouse sending out currents of intellectual and political activity all over the world. Then he goes straight to the USA and the USSR and outlines their development. Next he turns to the time of European dominance and imperialism up to 1914; then to the course and effects of the two world wars; then to the decis

內容簡介 The transmission of Buddhism to China gave rise to a uniquely rich and systematic monastic tradition. One Hundred Lessons on Monastery Languages & Affairs offers an in-depth exploration of this tradition through six themes: Monastery Systems, Monastic Precepts, Temple Undertakings, Cultivation and Gatherings, Organizational Management, and Spread of Buddhism. Drawing from decades of lived experience, it guides readers through the past, present, and evolving future of Chinese Buddhist monasticism. 目錄 VOLUME 3 TEMPLE UNDERTAKINGS Table of Contents About Venerable Master Hsing Yun Translator’s Introduction Preface Lesson One: The Monastery Establishment Lesson Two: Inauguration of Abbotship Lesson Three: Inter-Monastery Relations Lesson Four: Universal Tea Gatherings Lesson Five: Entering and Exiting the Buddha Shrine Lesson Six: Buddhist Etiquette Lesson Seven: Offerings to the Human and Heavenly Realms Lesson Eight: Buddhist Festivals Lesson Nine: Spring and Autumn Memorial Rite

Discover the key ideas, innovations, and breakthroughs in the history of design.This book is the perfect introduction to the subject. It explores and explains the big ideas and key principles behind more than 90 celebrated design concepts and movements, placing each in its historical, cultural, and stylistic context.The Design Book analyses the ideas and principles behind the design of pioneering products,information systems and environments, exploring how creativity and innovation shape our lives,from the aesthetic movement to mid-century modern and contemporary parametricism.In this book, you will find:The evolution of design from ancient times, through early manufacturing to the cutting-edge concepts of the 21st-century.Profiles of the individuals and manufacturers behind each ground-breaking development.Fascinating insight into design movements, showing how each one began and describing its philosophy and visual style.Using the Big Ideas series' trademark combination of clear expla

This book provides an introduction into social science pedagogy in India. It delves into the interrelationships between society, social relationships, education and learning.Social science education in schools help build critical understanding of social processes and institutions. This book critically examines school spaces and approaches to social science teaching and pedagogy in modern Indian schools. It outlines distinguishing features, differences, and similarities in pedagogical models and also explains how these varied approaches can be applied in the teaching process. The book also addresses the challenges and possibilities of using technology and the experiences of using technology-based resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Part of the series, 'Principles of Adaptive-based Teaching', this book will be of interest to students and teachers of education and sociology. It will also be of interest to teachers, educators, curriculum designers and social science course developers,

Meet the world's greatest heroes, as drawn by the world's greatest creators, in the first My Mighty Marvel team-up! A super-sized introduction to the Avengers for the youngest superfans--featuring art by legendary artist George P廨ez! Jump into action with the Avengers, Earth's mightiest heroes! Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, the Scarlett Witch, and their super friends are a mighty team. Learn all about their superpowers, backstories, and enemies in this bright and bold board book with art from the classic comics. The first-ever team to be featured in the Mighty Marvel First Book series, it features a larger trim size to help every Avenger pop off the page! Vivid colors and three special gatefolds make for a fun-filled read perfect for the youngest kids and longtime Marvel fans alike.

Severe weather, climate change, and human-made environmental disasters have had an increasingly direct impact on our homes. This deeply researched introduction to the history of sustainable design standards in building codes explores how public policy, standard-setting trade associations, and financial incentives influence the ways in which the construction of our homes impacts the environment.The Greening of America's Building Codes investigates the legally binding regulations and economic incentives meant to control the environmental impact of contemporary construction practices as it analyzes the history of residential building codes. This book exposes how the socioeconomic and political forces that influenced early building code development continue to define the character of current building codes and, by extension, determine how we regulate environmental impact and define sustainability today.The Greening of America's Building Codes is a valuable tool for architects, architecture

The phenomenon known as metaphor is an extremely complex mental event - we cannot capture its complexity if we tie ourselves to existing standard views on metaphor. This book offers fresh insight into metaphor, updating an established theory, conceptual metaphor theory (CMT), in the context of current cognitive linguistic theory, and clarifying many of the issues that researchers in the study of metaphor have raised against conceptual metaphor theory. Starting with an introduction to CMT, the subsequent chapters set out propositions for Extended Conceptual Metaphor Theory, including a discussion on whether literal language exists at all, whether conceptual metaphors are both conceptual and contextual, and whether they are both offline and online. Providing a fresh take on a constantly developing field, this study will enrich the work of researchers in areas ranging from metaphorical cognition to literary studies.

Levels of Analysis in Psychopathology draws research from psychiatry, philosophy, and psychology to explore the variety of explanatory approaches for understanding the nature of psychiatric disorders both in practice and research. The fields of psychiatry and clinical psychology incorporates many useful explanatory approaches and this book integrates this range of perspectives and makes suggestions about how to advance etiologic theories, classification, and treatment. The editors have brought together leading thinkers who have been widely published and are well-respected in their area of expertise, including several developers of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and authors of the US National Institute of Mental Health's Research Domain Criteria Project (RDoC). Each main chapter has a commentary provided by one of the other authors and an introduction written by one of the editors to create an accessible, interdisciplinary dialog.

This book provides an interdisciplinary overview of international human rights issues, offering truly international coverage including the Global South. Considering the philosophical foundations of human rights, Chen and Renteln explore the interpretive difficulties associated with identifying what constitute human rights abuses, and evaluate various perspectives on human rights. This book goes on to analyze institutions that strive to promote and enforce human rights standards, including the United Nations system, regional human rights bodies, and domestic courts. It also discusses a wide variety of substantive human rights including genocide, torture, capital punishment, and other cruel and unusual punishments. In particular, the book offers an accessible introduction to key understudied topics within human rights, such as socioeconomic rights, cultural rights, and environmental rights. It also focuses on the rights of marginalized groups, including children's rights, rights of perso

This book provides an interdisciplinary overview of international human rights issues, offering truly international coverage including the Global South. Considering the philosophical foundations of human rights, Chen and Renteln explore the interpretive difficulties associated with identifying what constitute human rights abuses, and evaluate various perspectives on human rights. This book goes on to analyze institutions that strive to promote and enforce human rights standards, including the United Nations system, regional human rights bodies, and domestic courts. It also discusses a wide variety of substantive human rights including genocide, torture, capital punishment, and other cruel and unusual punishments. In particular, the book offers an accessible introduction to key understudied topics within human rights, such as socioeconomic rights, cultural rights, and environmental rights. It also focuses on the rights of marginalized groups, including children's rights, rights of perso

Over the past decade, politics perspectives in international business have moved into the mainstream repertoire of research, theory development and teaching about the organisational behaviour of multinational corporations (MNCs). Politics perspectives contribute substantially to understanding the behaviour in and of MNCs in their different contexts and environments but so far these burgeoning perspectives have not been systematically and comprehensively reviewed. This book offers the first detailed overview of the theoretical foundations, methodologies and empirical applications of politics perspectives in MNCs. A group of international authors discuss twelve seminal contributions to the study of politics, power and conflict in MNCs, followed by a summary and synthesis of the literature into a comprehensive analytical framework. The book closes with a discussion of future directions in the field. This is a thorough introduction to political behaviour in MNCs written for scholars and gr

Boron offers a range of important characteristics that have led to significant research and new developments in its application over recent years. Fundamentals and Applications of Boron Chemistry highlights its impressive potential for both current and future developments across a range of fields, providing foundational information on Boron chemistry and systematically summarizing current developments and applications of Boron in energy, medicinal chemistry and materials chemistry. Beginning with an introduction to Boron chemistry which outlines the Boron element and its physical and chemical properties, the book goes on to discuss advances in Boron coordination chemistry, before delving deeper into key fields of application. The latest developments in Boron-based catalysts in organic reactions are reviewed, followed by novel emerging Boron-containing materials and their potential applications in areas like hydrogen storage, and Boron materials with special optical activity. Finally, a

Focusing on events in Rwanda, Armenia, and the former Yugoslavia as well as the Holocaust, Genocide and Gender in the Twentieth Century investigates how historically- and culturally-specific ideas led to genocidal sexual violence. Expert contributors also consider how these ideas, in conjunction with issues relating to femininity, masculinity and understandings of gendered identities, contributed to perpetrators' tools and strategies for ethnic cleansing and genocide. The 2nd edition features:* Five brand new chapters which explore: imperialism, race, gender and genocide; the Cambodian genocide; memory and intergenerational transmission of Holocaust trauma; and genocide, gender and memory in the Armenian case. * An extended and enhanced introduction which makes use of recent scholarship on gender and violence. * Historiographical and bibliographical updates throughout. * Key primary document - excerpt from the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide. Upd

Join fisherman Finn and his dog, Skip, on their second adventure in this illustrated story book for young children, which teaches them about deforestation and what they can do to help. This book is the ideal introduction to the environmental concerns facing our forests, featuring colourful illustrations and an engaging, light-hearted storyline, drawn and written by Brendan Kearney. Grown-ups and children will enjoy reading together and following the story of Finn and Skip, with its ups and downs, and pointing out all the different animals that Finn meets in the rainforest.They'll also learn about how using ethical products can help save the animals. With its fun, quirky illustrations, Forest is the perfect addition to a child's bookshelf. Young readers will love this picture book with a timely and ultimately uplifting message about protecting the world around us.

Time-tested features from previous editions -- including "Demonstrations" illustrating principles in action, "Methods" sections and "Developmental Dimension" segments -- have been updated and carried over into the 11th edition.The Exploration feature in MindTap -- the digital learning experience available with the text -- enables students to view experimental stimuli, perceptual demonstrations and short film clips about the research discussed in the text. These features have been thoroughly updated, and new items have been added to the labs carried over from the previous edition. Most of the items have been generously provided by researchers in vision, hearing and perceptual development.Reflecting the latest developments from the field, the 11th edition has been updated throughout with discussions of cutting-edge research. Especially noteworthy are a revised and more "student friendly" Chapter 1: Introduction to Perception and an expanded treatment of basic auditory mechanisms and musi

THE DISCWORLD CHRISTMAS NOVEL - with a new introduction by Tony Robinson''Twas the night before Hogswatch and all through the house...something was missing.The stockings are hanging ready, the sherry and pies are waiting by the fireplace - but where is the jolly fat man with his sack? It''s not right to find Death creeping down chimneys and trying to say Ho Ho Ho - but someone''s got to bring the little kiddies their presents. Or else they might stop believing. Belief is important in Discworld, particularly on the last night of the year when the time is turning. If the real man in the red suit isn''t found by morning, there won''t be a morning. Ever again...A festive feast of darkness, jolly robins and tinsel. As they say: ''You''d better watch out...''

The regulation of technology is an important and topical area of law, relevant to almost all aspects of society. Technology Law: Australian and International Perspectives presents a thorough exploration of the new legal challenges created by evolving technologies, from the use of facial recognition technology in criminal investigations to the rise and regulation of cryptocurrencies. A well-written and fascinating introduction to technology law in Australia and internationally, Technology Law provides thorough coverage of the theoretical perspectives, legislation, cases and developing issues where technology and the law interact. The text covers data protection and privacy, healthcare technology, criminal justice technology, commercial transactions, cybercrime, social media and intellectual property, and canvasses the future of technology and technology law. Written by leading experts in the field, Technology Law is an excellent resource for law students and legal professionals with an

Numerical relativity has emerged as the key tool to model gravitational waves - recently detected for the first time - that are emitted when black holes or neutron stars collide. This book provides a pedagogical, accessible, and concise introduction to the subject. Relying heavily on analogies with Newtonian gravity, scalar fields and electromagnetic fields, it introduces key concepts of numerical relativity in a context familiar to readers without prior expertise in general relativity. Readers can explore these concepts by working through numerous exercises, and can see them 'in action' by experimenting with the accompanying Python sample codes, and so develop familiarity with many techniques commonly employed by publicly available numerical relativity codes. This is an attractive, student-friendly resource for short courses on numerical relativity, as well as providing supplementary reading for courses on general relativity and computational physics.

Numerical relativity has emerged as the key tool to model gravitational waves - recently detected for the first time - that are emitted when black holes or neutron stars collide. This book provides a pedagogical, accessible, and concise introduction to the subject. Relying heavily on analogies with Newtonian gravity, scalar fields and electromagnetic fields, it introduces key concepts of numerical relativity in a context familiar to readers without prior expertise in general relativity. Readers can explore these concepts by working through numerous exercises, and can see them 'in action' by experimenting with the accompanying Python sample codes, and so develop familiarity with many techniques commonly employed by publicly available numerical relativity codes. This is an attractive, student-friendly resource for short courses on numerical relativity, as well as providing supplementary reading for courses on general relativity and computational physics.

This Element offers a new approach to ancient Egyptian images informed by interdisciplinary work in archaeology, anthropology, and art history. Sidestepping traditional perspectives on Egyptian art, the Element focuses squarely on the ontological status of the image in ancient thought and experience. To accomplish this, section 2 takes up a number of central Egyptian terms for images, showing that a close examination of their etymology and usage can help resolve long-standing question on Egyptian imaging practices. Section 3 discusses ancient Egyptian experiences of materials and manufacturing processes, while section 4 categorizes and discusses the different purposes and functions for which images were created. The Element as a whole thus offers a concise introduction to ancient Egyptian imaging practices for an interdisciplinary readership, while at the same introducing new ways of thinking about familiar material for the Egyptological reader.

This volume offers a historical and critical analysis of the emerging field of the learning sciences, which takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and improving how children and adults learn. It features a wide range of authors, including established scholars who founded and guided the learning sciences through the initial turbulence of forming a new line of academic inquiry, as well as newcomers who are continuing to shape the field. This diversity allows for a broad yet selective perspective on what the learning sciences are, why they came to be, and how contributors conduct their work. Reflections on the Learning Sciences serves both as a starting point for discussion among scholars familiar with the discipline and as an introduction for those interested in learning more. It will benefit graduate students and researchers in computer science, educational psychology, instructional technology, science, engineering, and mathematics.

Celebrate first responders in this timely, action-packed picture book featuring firefighters, doctors, EMTs, and other brave helpers in action!First responders are on the way! Every day, brave helpers are on full alert, ready to rescue people and animal friends in need. They work on land, go underground, and even parachute down from the sky. Buckle up and cheer for these heroes as they go the distance to keep everyone safe. With bright, colorful art and labels of rescue vehicles and equipment in the style of Richard Scarry, this introduction to and celebration of first responders packs FUN and FACTS. Look inside for a Q&A with a real firefighter and an emergency supplies list! Ready for more action? Check out Fire Engine No. 9 and Rescue Squad No. 9!

The period from birth to 12 years is crucial in a child's development and can significantly impact future educational success, resilience and participation in society. Health and Wellbeing in Childhood provides readers with a comprehensive introduction to a wide range of topics and issues in health and wellbeing education, including child safety, bullying and social emotional wellbeing, resilience, physical education, communication development and friendships. It explores relevant policies, standards and frameworks, including the Early Years Learning Framework and the Australian Curriculum. The third edition provides a cohesive and accessible reading experience and includes updated and expanded coverage of nutrition, body image and community partnerships. Each chapter has been revised to include the latest research and developments in childhood health and wellbeing, and features definitions of key terms, case studies, pause and reflect activities and end-of-chapter questions. Supplemen

Biostatistics with R provides a straightforward introduction on how to analyse data from the wide field of biological research, including nature protection and global change monitoring. The book is centred around traditional statistical approaches, focusing on those prevailing in research publications. The authors cover t-tests, ANOVA and regression models, but also the advanced methods of generalised linear models and classification and regression trees. Chapters usually start with several useful case examples, describing the structure of typical datasets and proposing research-related questions. All chapters are supplemented by example datasets, step-by-step R code demonstrating analytical procedures and interpretation of results. The authors also provide examples of how to appropriately describe statistical procedures and results of analyses in research papers. This accessible textbook will serve a broad audience, from students, researchers or professionals looking to improve their

Biostatistics with R provides a straightforward introduction on how to analyse data from the wide field of biological research, including nature protection and global change monitoring. The book is centred around traditional statistical approaches, focusing on those prevailing in research publications. The authors cover t-tests, ANOVA and regression models, but also the advanced methods of generalised linear models and classification and regression trees. Chapters usually start with several useful case examples, describing the structure of typical datasets and proposing research-related questions. All chapters are supplemented by example datasets, step-by-step R code demonstrating analytical procedures and interpretation of results. The authors also provide examples of how to appropriately describe statistical procedures and results of analyses in research papers. This accessible textbook will serve a broad audience, from students, researchers or professionals looking to improve their

The Mahler measure is a fascinating notion and an exciting topic in contemporary mathematics, interconnecting with subjects as diverse as number theory, analysis, arithmetic geometry, special functions and random walks. This friendly and concise introduction to the Mahler measure is a valuable resource for both graduate courses and self-study. It provides the reader with the necessary background material, before presenting the recent achievements and the remaining challenges in the field. The first part introduces the univariate Mahler measure and addresses Lehmer's question, and then discusses techniques of reducing multivariate measures to hypergeometric functions. The second part touches on the novelties of the subject, especially the relation with elliptic curves, modular forms and special values of L-functions. Finally, the Appendix presents the modern definition of motivic cohomology and regulator maps, as well as Deligne–Beilinson cohomology. The text includes many exercises to

The phenomenon known as metaphor is an extremely complex mental event - we cannot capture its complexity if we tie ourselves to existing standard views on metaphor. This book offers fresh insight into metaphor, updating an established theory, conceptual metaphor theory (CMT), in the context of current cognitive linguistic theory, and clarifying many of the issues that researchers in the study of metaphor have raised against conceptual metaphor theory. Starting with an introduction to CMT, the subsequent chapters set out propositions for Extended Conceptual Metaphor Theory, including a discussion on whether literal language exists at all, whether conceptual metaphors are both conceptual and contextual, and whether they are both offline and online. Providing a fresh take on a constantly developing field, this study will enrich the work of researchers in areas ranging from metaphorical cognition to literary studies.

Levels of Analysis in Psychopathology draws research from psychiatry, philosophy, and psychology to explore the variety of explanatory approaches for understanding the nature of psychiatric disorders both in practice and research. The fields of psychiatry and clinical psychology incorporates many useful explanatory approaches and this book integrates this range of perspectives and makes suggestions about how to advance etiologic theories, classification, and treatment. The editors have brought together leading thinkers who have been widely published and are well-respected in their area of expertise, including several developers of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and authors of the US National Institute of Mental Health's Research Domain Criteria Project (RDoC). Each main chapter has a commentary provided by one of the other authors and an introduction written by one of the editors to create an accessible, interdisciplinary dialog.

Anchored in simple and familiar physics problems, the author provides a focused introduction to mathematical methods in a narrative driven and structured manner. Ordinary and partial differential equation solving, linear algebra, vector calculus, complex variables and numerical methods are all introduced and bear relevance to a wide range of physical problems. Expanded and novel applications of these methods highlight their utility in less familiar areas, and advertise those areas that will become more important as students continue. This highlights both the utility of each method in progressing with problems of increasing complexity while also allowing students to see how a simplified problem becomes 're-complexified'. Advanced topics include nonlinear partial differential equations, and relativistic and quantum mechanical variants of problems like the harmonic oscillator. Physics, mathematics and engineering students will find 300 problems treated in a sophisticated manner. The insig

Mark Twain In Context provides the fullest introduction in one volume to the multifaceted life and times of one of the most celebrated American writers. It is a collection of short, lively contributions covering a wide range of topics on Twain's life and works. Twain lived during a time of great change, upheaval, progress, and challenge. He rose from obscurity to become what some have called 'the most recognizable person on the planet'. Beyond his contributions to literature, which were hugely important and influential, he was a businessman, an inventor, an advocate for social and political change, and ultimately a cultural icon. Placing his life and work in the context of his age reveals much about both Mark Twain and America in the last half of the nineteenth century, the twentieth century, and the first decades of the twenty-first century.

Martin Luther - monk, priest, intellectual, or revolutionary - has been a controversial figure since the sixteenth century. Most studies of Luther stress his personality, his ideas, and his ambitions as a church reformer. In this book, Christopher Ocker brings a new perspective to this topic, arguing that the different ways people thought about Luther mattered far more than who he really was. Providing an accessible, highly contextual, and non-partisan introduction, Ocker says that religious conflict itself served as the engine of religious change. He shows that the Luther affair had a complex political anatomy which extended far beyond the borders of Germany, making the debate an international one from the very start. His study links the Reformation to pluralism within western religion and to the coexistence of religions and secularism in today's world. Luther, Conflict, and Christendom includes a detailed chronological chart.

The First Quarto of The Merry Wives of Windsor is the most fascinatingly problematic of all the early Shakespearean texts. Was it an authorial first draft? Or a cut-down version of the better-known Folio text designed for acting? Or a text put together from faulty actors' memories? Or a reported text assembled by notetakers from attendance at the theatre? None of these theories, though advanced and interrogated for the last 250 years, is totally convincing. The Introduction to this edition explores the various attempts to make sense of the short version of the play, demonstrating the ways in which preferences for one theory or another reflect the changes in editorial theory and fashion over the centuries. The modernised text and its commentary enable the reader to enter into this ongoing and endlessly intriguing debate.

Many of the themes of Aeschylus' Suppliants - the treatment of refugees, forced marriage, ethnic and cultural clashes, decisions on war and peace, political deception - resonate strongly in the world of today. The play was, however, for many years neglected in comparison to Aeschylus' other works, probably in part because it was wrongly believed to be very early and hence 'primitive', and this edition, aimed primarily at advanced undergraduates and graduate students, is the first since 1889 to offer an accessible English commentary based on the Greek text. This provides particular help with the peculiarities of tragic, especially Aeschylean, Greek. An extensive introduction discusses the Danaid myth and its many variations, the four-play production (tetralogy) of which Suppliants formed part, the underlying social and religious issues and presuppositions, the conditions of performance, and the place of Suppliants in Aeschylus' work, among other topics.

Many of the themes of Aeschylus' Suppliants - the treatment of refugees, forced marriage, ethnic and cultural clashes, decisions on war and peace, political deception - resonate strongly in the world of today. The play was, however, for many years neglected in comparison to Aeschylus' other works, probably in part because it was wrongly believed to be very early and hence 'primitive', and this edition, aimed primarily at advanced undergraduates and graduate students, is the first since 1889 to offer an accessible English commentary based on the Greek text. This provides particular help with the peculiarities of tragic, especially Aeschylean, Greek. An extensive introduction discusses the Danaid myth and its many variations, the four-play production (tetralogy) of which Suppliants formed part, the underlying social and religious issues and presuppositions, the conditions of performance, and the place of Suppliants in Aeschylus' work, among other topics.