Semper Fi: the Psalms of Robert Alexander


Book Description

In July of 1996, Robert Alexander Marine Corps veteran, insurance executive, devoted husband, committed Christian was told that he had inoperable prostate cancer and that he had fourteen months to live. By dint of his considerable intellect, gritty determination, unwavering support from his loving wife Gerda and a growing faith, he lived four and a half more years and launched a ministry that literally touched thousands of people. In Semper Fi: The Psalms of Robert Alexander, the author has preserved the poignant and inspirational writings of a remarkable man. They are presented within the context of parallel spiritual and physical events in his life, including both times of trial and times of triumph. This "devotional biography" will encourage and inspire all who read it.




The Jewish Wedding Now


Book Description

Newly revised and updated, the definitive guide to planning a Jewish wedding, written by bestselling novelist Anita Diamant—author of The Red Tent and The Boston Girl—and one of the most respected writers of guides to contemporary Jewish life. This complete, easy-to-use guide explains everything you need to know to plan your own Jewish wedding in today’s ever-changing world where the very definition of what constitutes a Jewish wedding is up for discussion. With enthusiasm and flair, Anita Diamant provides choices for every stage of a wedding—including celebrations before and after the ceremony itself—providing both traditional and contemporary options. She explains the Jewish tradition of love and marriage with references drawn from Biblical, Talmudic, and mystical texts and stories. She guides you step by step through planning the ceremony and the party that follows—from finding a rabbi and wording the invitation to organizing a processional and hiring a caterer. Samples of wedding invitations and ketubot (marriage contracts) are provided for inspiration and guidance, as well as poems that can be incorporated into the wedding ceremony or party and a variety of translations of traditional texts. “There is no such thing as a generic Jewish wedding,” writes Anita Diamant, “no matter what the rabbi tells you, no matter what the caterer tells you, no matter what your mother tells you.” Complete, authoritative, and indispensable, The Jewish Wedding Now provides personalized options—some new, some old—to create a wedding that combines spiritual meaning and joyous celebration and reflects your individual values and beliefs.




Clothing Sacred Scriptures


Book Description

According to a longstanding interpretation, book religions are agents of textuality and logocentrism. This volume inverts the traditional perspective: its focus is on the strong dependency between scripture and aesthetics, holy books and material artworks, sacred texts and ritual performances. The contributions, written by a group of international specialists in Western, Byzantine, Islamic and Jewish Art, are committed to a comparative and transcultural approach. The authors reflect upon the different strategies of »clothing« sacred texts with precious materials and elaborate forms. They show how the pretypographic cultures of the Middle Ages used book ornaments as media for building a close relation between the divine words and their human audience. By exploring how art shapes the religious practice of books, and how the religious use of books shapes the evolution of artistic practices this book contributes to a new understanding of the deep nexus between sacred scripture and art.




Fieseler 156 Storch 1938-1945


Book Description

The Fieseler Fi 156 Storch (stork) was a German liaison aircraft built before and during World War II, and even post war in France. It remains famous to this day for its excellent STOL performance and remarkable wartime exploits. This book describes in detail the technical aspects of the aircraft, its design and development. All wartime versions are described in detail. It contains: scale plans in 1/72nd, 1/48th and 1/35th scales; photos and drawings from Technical Manuals; superb color illustrations of camouflage and markings; rare b+w archive photographs; color photos of preserved aircraft. Dariusz Karnas is a skilled modeler and amateur aviation historian. He lives in Sandomierz, Poland.




Resting Places


Book Description

In its third edition, this massive reference work lists the final resting places of more than 14,000 people from a wide range of fields, including politics, the military, the arts, crime, sports and popular culture. Many entries are new to this edition. Each listing provides birth and death dates, a brief summary of the subject's claim to fame and their burial site location or as much as is known. Grave location within a cemetery is provided in many cases, as well as places of cremation and sites where ashes were scattered. Source information is provided.







Western Plainchant


Book Description

Plainchant is the oldest substantial body of music that has been preserved in any shape or form. It was first written down in Western Europe in the eighth to ninth centuries. Many thousands of chants have been sung at different times or places in a multitude of forms and styles, responding to the differing needs of the church through the ages. This book provides a clear and concise introduction, designed both for those to whom the subject is new and those who require a reference work for advanced study. It begins with an explanation of the liturgies that plainchant was designed to serve. It describes all the chief genres of chant, different types of liturgical book, and plainchant notations. After an exposition of early medieval theoretical writing on plainchant, Hiley provides a historical survey that traces the constantly changing nature of the repertory. He also discusses important musicians and centers of composition. Copiously illustrated with over 200 musical examples, this book highlights the diversity of practice and richness of the chant repertory in the Middle Ages. It will be an indispensable introduction and reference source on this important music for many years to come.




American Book-plates


Book Description




A Companion to Alexander Literature in the Middle Ages


Book Description

Drawing on decades of research on Alexander literature from all over the world, this book is bound to become a medievalist's best companion. It studies Alexander romances from the East and the West in literary form and content.