Gentle Art


Book Description

A collection of short stories, this is a book about folk devils: creatures at war with respectable society and the conventions on which respectable society is based. It can also be read as a heartrending account of the permanent degradation of men of great talent due to persistent lack of self-control--often indistinguishable from madness. Gentle Art's diminutive dimensions echo the intent of early devotional literature--an almost disposable object, designed for personal edification and spiritual formation. Referencing Stephen Graham's 1927 work, The Gentle Art of Tramping--a manual for life on the other side--Gentle Art is a departure from standard experimental literature. Its aim is not to be difficult. Kidnapping personas from real life (marvellous George, the petrol-drinker, the ket-head with a woman for a cock and many more!) and entering them into absurd formatting--from Choose Your Own Adventure to a compilation of quotes footnoting the entire text--Baal's stories demonstrate how and why people slip beyond the norms of society and report back on what lies in store when they get there--From Amazon.com.




The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning


Book Description

*The basis for the wonderfully funny and moving TV series developed by Amy Poehler and Scout Productions* A charming, practical, and unsentimental approach to putting a home in order while reflecting on the tiny joys that make up a long life. In Sweden there is a kind of decluttering called döstädning, dö meaning “death” and städning meaning “cleaning.” This surprising and invigorating process of clearing out unnecessary belongings can be undertaken at any age or life stage but should be done sooner than later, before others have to do it for you. In The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, artist Margareta Magnusson, with Scandinavian humor and wisdom, instructs readers to embrace minimalism. Her radical and joyous method for putting things in order helps families broach sensitive conversations, and makes the process uplifting rather than overwhelming. Margareta suggests which possessions you can easily get rid of (unworn clothes, unwanted presents, more plates than you’d ever use) and which you might want to keep (photographs, love letters, a few of your children’s art projects). Digging into her late husband’s tool shed, and her own secret drawer of vices, Margareta introduces an element of fun to a potentially daunting task. Along the way readers get a glimpse into her life in Sweden, and also become more comfortable with the idea of letting go.




The Wander Society


Book Description

From the internationally bestselling creator of Wreck This Journal... wan·der verb \ˈwän-dər\ to walk/explore/amble in an unplanned or aimless way with a complete openness to the unknown Several years ago when Keri Smith, bestselling author of Wreck This Journal, discovered cryptic handwritten notations in a worn copy of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, her interest was piqued. Little did she know at the time that those simple markings would become the basis of a years-long, life-changing exploration into a mysterious group known only as The Wander Society, as well as the subject of this book. Within these pages, you’ll find the results of Smith’s research: A guide to the Wander Society, a secretive group that holds up the act of wandering, or unplanned exploring, as a way of life. You’ll learn about the group’s mysterious origins, meet fellow wanderers through time, discover how wandering feeds the creative mind, and learn how to best practice the art of wandering, should you choose to accept the mission.







Tramping on Life


Book Description




The Gentle Art of Tramping


Book Description

The Gentle Art of Tramping is a practical guide to long-distance walking and a philosophical account of human restlessness and the desire to connect with nature. Stephen Graham travelled extensively around pre-revolutionary Russia and the travel writer often expressed his dislike of industrialisation. He writes of the beauty of nature and humanity’s passiveness towards the wild world. Encouraging people to take up ‘tramping’, or what we would now call hiking or long-distance walking, Graham offers tips and insight into the travelling life. First published in 1926, with the shadow of the First World War not far behind, The Gentle Art of Tramping is as relevant now as it was then. This simple but beautifully written walking guide will ignite a love for nature in its readers as well as entertain them with Graham’s whimsical and funny prose. This volume features the following chapters: - ‘We Set Out’ - ‘The Art of Idleness’ - ‘Emblems of Tramping’ - ‘Drying After Rain’ - ‘Marching Songs’ - ‘Seeking Shelter’ - ‘The Tramp as Cook’ - ‘The Artist’s Notebook’ Proudly republished by nature and non-fiction specialist, A Thousand Fields, The Gentle Art of Tramping now includes introductory essays and excerpts on walking by Sydney Smith, William Hazlitt, Leslie Stephen, and John Burroughs. This volume is not to be missed by fans of Stephen Graham and contemporary nature writers such as Robert Macfarlane.




A Tramp Abroad


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The Book of the Courtier


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The Century World's Fair Book for Boys and Girls


Book Description

A humorous fictional account of a visit to the World's Columbian exposition illustrated with actual photographs and sketches of the buildings, exhibits, and fairgrounds.




Alone Time


Book Description

A wise, passionate account of the pleasures of traveling solo In our hectic, hyperconnected lives, many people are uncomfortable with the prospect of solitude. Yet a little time to ourselves can be an opportunity to slow down, savor, and try new things, especially when traveling. Through on-the-ground reporting, insights from social science, and recounting the experiences of artists, writers, and innovators who cherished solitude, Stephanie Rosenbloom considers how traveling alone deepens appreciation for everyday beauty, bringing into sharp relief the sights, sounds, and smells that one isn't necessarily attuned to in the presence of company. Walking through four cities--Paris, Florence, Istanbul, and New York--and four seasons, Alone Time gives us permission to pause, to relish the sensual details of the world rather than hurtling through museums and uploading photos to Instagram. In chapters about dining out, visiting museums, and pursuing knowledge, we begin to see how the moments we have to ourselves--on the road or at home--can be used to enrich our lives. Rosenbloom's engaging and elegant prose makes Alone Time as warmly intimate an account as the details of a trip shared by a beloved friend--and will have its many readers eager to set off on their own solo adventures.




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