Pornind de la un interviul luat de un cristian ?i publicat ?n Observator cultural, B?tr?ne?ea ucenicului alchimist (titlu generat de volumul de debut al lui O. Soviany, Tinere?ea b?tr?nului alchimist) este un amplu dialog despre literatur? ?i asumarea ei, o revizitare a c?r?ilor scrise, dar ?i o pledoarie pentru via?a din afara scrisului.

Volumul reune?te interviuri din 1997 (Pana mea), 2008 (chat cu scriitori rom?ni – Observator cultural), 2010 (Rom?nia literar?), un chestionar, un dialog inedit (2016) ?i extrase din dou? din documentarele ?n care autoarea a fost prezent? (Aici Nora Iuga ?i Nino al meu). ?n cazul Norei, c?r?ile nu s?nt totul ?i, a?a cum nu avem prea multe exemple literare actuale, omul ?ncununeaz? opera. De-aceea ne-am permis s-o coment?m ?mpreun? ?n dialoguri mai vechi sau mai noi, ?n filme documentare ?i-ntr-un blog audio, pentru a mai trage de timp cu Operele complete. (un cristian)

Cartea este rezultatul unor studii aprofundate intreprinse de autoare ?n domeniul stilurilor de via?? contemporane, rom?ne?ti dar ?i din alte p?r?i ale lumii. Cercetarea acestora a fost f?cut? intensiv mai ales ?n ultimii zece ani. La baza acestor texte stau, ?n primul r?nd, interven?iile hebdomadare ale autoarei la emisiunea Tenta?ii culturale de la Radio Rom?nia Cultural. Evident, ?n transformarea unor ?pastile“ radiofonice ?ntr-un volum de eseuri ?nchegate, structurate tematic ?i revizuite stilistic a fost parcurs? o cale lung?. Din bogata tematic? a lucr?rii, men?ion?m: ?ocurile cotidianului; pierderile pe care le implica adaptarea; cum au schimbat telefoanele mobile fa?a lumii; civiliza?ia str?zii (ieri ?i azi); cultura ?n autobuz; la bibliotec?, prin biblioteci; ?n pia??, la coada, la doctor; ?n c?l?torie, din c?l?torii; prin ora?e mari ?i mici; despre comis-voiajori, despre bac?i?; nun?i, botezuri, funeralii... Cartea este scrisa ?ntr-un stil simplu, accesibil ?i ludic. Se adreseaz? speciali?tilor ?n istorie social?, antropologie, psihologie de mas?, reform? social?, dar ?i publicului cultivat, ?n general.

Az út, ami hazavisz. Akik túlélték a halál pillanatát, azt mondják, pár másodperc alatt lepereg a szemük el?tt az életük. De csak ott, az utolsó pillanatban kristályosodik ki a lényeg, ám akkor általában már kés?. ?n negyven napot kaptam a sorstól, hogy végignézzem életem filmjét - még id?ben. Mint amikor a s?tétben váratlanul felkapcsolják a villanyt... Megismerhettem a lényeget... Zarándoklatra indultam, fájdalmas vezeklés lett bel?le. Egy olyan ?b?nért", amit nem is tudtam, hogy elk?vettem. Amit itt leírtam, nem a képzelet szüleménye. Legyalogoltam a nyolcszáz kilométert, és átéltem minden pillanatát. Remegtem a d?bbenett?l, amikor kézzel foghatóvá vált a csoda, és sírtam a zavarodottságtól, amikor nem értettem, mi t?rténik velem. Ha más meséli, amit ott átéltem, azt mondom, túl színes a fantáziája.

Homo brucans e o carte interdisciplinar?, multifa?etat?, de ?inut? preponderent hermeneutic?, axat? pe teme legate de interpretarea Vechiului ?i Noului Testament (eseuri pe Decalog, pe personalitatea Sf. Pavel sau pe semnifica?ia mitic? ?i religioas? a cenu?ei), pe R?zboiul Rece, Revolu?ia Rus? ?i Contracultura anilor ‘60 (eseuri despre decantarea mediatic? ?n Rom?nia a revoltelor studen?e?ti din anul 1968, futuri?ti, violen?a lui Lenin sau despre The White Negro al lui Norman Mailer), pe aspecte structurale ale literaturii rom?ne din perioada de dup? Revolu?ia din decembrie 1989 (teme de genul: impactul lui Silviu Brucan asupra mentalit??ii postrevolu?ionare, identitarul rom?nesc difuz pe Internet, dinamica genera?ional? a literaturii rom?ne, rolul dinamizator al lui Marin Mincu ?i Adrian Marino), pe psihoistorie (cu un portret al lui Loyd deMause ?i o radiografie a concep?iilor sale). ?n final, cartea se ?ncheie cu decantarea eseistic? a unei c?l?torii ?n India, prilej de evocare a personalit??ii lui Mircea Eliade.

Da. E despre mine. E despre tine. E despre noi. Din toate p?r?ile ?i toate direc?iile. Despre falimentul moral ?i trezirea spiritului. Despre cum e s? ui?i ?i c?t de bine e s? ??i reaminte?ti. (Beatrice, activist) Un volum de poezii despre poezia ?i nepoezia vie?ii. Mai degrab? despre ce omoar? poezia vie?ii. De citit dac? sunte?i odihni?i ?i cu chef de introspec?ie. Aten?ie, poate s? doar?. (Mihaela, manager) Am frunz?rit-o cu trufia c? nu e despre mine. Am citit-o cu teama c? ar putea fi despre mine. Am recitit-o cu ambi?ia s? nu devin? despre mine. (Ioana, manager formare) Am deschis cartea, am r?sfoit, am citit. Apoi am ?nchis Outlook-ul ?i m-am g?ndit la lucruri simple: prieteni, muzic?, sine. (Andrei, copywriter) Am avut permanent senza?ia c? navighez pe valuri, fel de fel de valuri, valuri peste valuri de via??, valuri cu gloata mijlocie, prins? ?n caden?a asta a noastr?, modern? ?i golit? de rost personal. (Carmen, strategic planner) O oglind? care reflect? ?n cuvinte propria via?? – care via??? – multiplicat? ?n mii de alte trupuri, care tr?iesc aceea?i nesf?r?it? ?zi a c?rti?ei“. (Sylvia, marketing manager) Mi-a transmis impresia de oper? rock, sau, m? rog, cum s-ar putea numi a?a ceva pe muzic? de Parov Stelar, Nicholas Jarr ?i al?ii mai de acum. (?tefan, student) ?Auzi, de ce nu scrie nimeni poezie despre corporati?ti?“ m-a ?ntrebat un prieten acum vreo cinci ani. La vremea aceea am pufnit ?n r?s de mi-a dat ?pri?ul pe nas, dar, anul trecut, mi-am dat seama c? se poate. Tocmai terminasem Saga – bilete la clasa din mijloc, un poem epic, ironic ?i ?ntins pe vreo 30 de pagini. Despre iubirea dintre doi corporati?ti, desp?r?i?i ?n adolescen?? ?i reg?si?i la disperare, pe la 30 de ani ?i ceva, cu ocazia unui infarct. L-am rugat pe Paul Hitter, ale c?rui desene cu miz? social? ?i tu?e cinice m? atr?geau demult, s? ilustreze c?teva scene din istoria celor doi eroi ai poemului. Au ie?it 7 desene care nu doar ajut? textul, ci duc povestea mai departe, o cresc ?i o dezvolt?. Din vagonul de accelerat Timi?oara-Bucure?ti p?n? pe malul m?rii, Paul a transcris vizual o hart? a nelini?tilor, fricilor, la?it??ilor ?i speran?elor unei genera?ii care a ?mb?tr?nit ?nainte de vreme, dar care ?nc? sper? la evadare. Saga – bilete la clasa din mijloc este o carte-album despre noi ?i despre voi, despre cei ce umplu sta?ia Pipera la 7 diminea?? ?i despre cei care r?d de ei ?ntorc?ndu-se din club, despre cei adu?i la nebunie de creditul ipotecar ?i cei ?ntor?i victorio?i ?i ar?i din Goa sau de la festivaluri. Este poezie pentru c? sunte?i poezie, este scris? pentru c? trebuia scris? ?i este desenat? ca s? nu mai existe niciun dubiu.“ (T?u?ance)

Volum nominalizat la sec?iunea ?Critic?. Istorie ?i Teorie Literar?“ – Premiile ?Observator cultural“, edi?ia a VI-a, 2012 Lucrarea de fa?? pleac? de la ideea c?, odat? cu sf?r?itul anilor ‘60/?nceputul anilor ‘70, se configureaz?, ?n context rom?nesc, o mi?care poetic? cu caracter experimentalist, care se ?ndep?rteaz? de paradigmele modernismului, urm?nd modelul avangardelor interbelice. Principiul fundamental al unei asemenea poezii trebuie c?utat ?n pragmatica ?tiin?ei contemporane, c?ci ea presupune elaborarea unor ?axiomatici“ (concretizate ?n abord?ri teoretice, programe ?i manifeste artistice), urmat? apoi de investigarea, printr-o mi?care de extensie, a limitelor, de c?utarea obstinat? a noului, care se raporteaz? la propria sa ?axiomatic?“ ?n calitate de diferen??, de ?paralogie“, extinz?ndu-i limitele, dar ?i problematiz?nd-o, printr-un demers care e constructiv ?i deconstructiv totodat?, contestatar ?i autocontestatar ?n acela?i timp.

volumul al III-lea dintr-un interviu de un cristian Trilogia lui Ion Cucu este, deopotriv?, o construc?ie editorial? ?i o demonstra?ie personal?. Ion Cucu nu e, cum s-a crezut, doar un fotograf, iar opera lui cap?t? o cu totul alt? dimensiune dac? iese din tiparul unui album oarecare sau al unei expozi?ii, fie ea ?i permanent?. Interviul ?i portretele spun mai mult dec?t povestea unor fotografii – ?mpreun?, acestea dezv?luie talentul, for?a, patimile ?i d?ruirea fotografului celor zece pre?edin?i. Ai Uniunii Scriitorilor. Pentru c? prin aceast? institu?ie s-a legitimat ?i se reg?se?te, ca artist fotograf, scriitorul Ion Cucu. Trilogia s-a sf?r?it, de-acum urmeaz? Istoria. (un cristian)

Debut?nd cu volumul Mandala (Editura Vinea, 2005), Oana C?t?lina Ninu n-a ratat aproape niciunul dintre premiile care i-au ie?it in cale. O recunoa?tere, f?r? ?ndoial?, meritat?, ?ntruc?t vorbim despre cel mai semnificativ debut liric din anul respectiv. [...] Oric?t de rebele, reprezent?rile se topesc ?ntr-o sintax? aluvionar?, corodat? prin dialogism ?i nivelat? prin directe?e. De altfel, ?n Mandala, fracturat nu e at?t discursul, care se deruleaz? lent ?i f?r? intersti?ii vizibile, c?t universul reprezent?rilor, care suport? o macera?ie organizat? din partea unei viziuni schizoide. Poemele C?t?linei Ninu descriu, cu o fervoare incandescent?, cele mai diverse forme de mutilare, ?n slujba c?rora eul liric pune la b?taie un arsenal impresionant (foarfece, ace, ?urubelni?e, col?i, unghii, bricege, lame, epilatoare, v?traie etc.), care l-ar face s? p?leasc? de invidie pe un anumit conte austriac. ?i nu e de mirare, de vreme ce figura central? a Mandalei se prezint?, ?nc? din primul text al volumului, drept ?femeia foarfec?“. (Andrei Terian, ?n Ziarul de duminic?)?Fuga de feminitate“, exorcizarea umorilor feminine ?i a corporalit??ii maligne devine miza actului poetic, prin care femeia real? e ?nlocuit? prin ?femeia inscrip?ionat?“. El are ?ns? caracterul unei vivisec?ii, presupune scormonirea nemiloas? a fibrelor ?i a ?esuturilor, e o autotortur? aproape cu neputin?? de ?ndurat, astfel ?nc?t privirea introspectiv?, care scormone?te ca un bisturiu ?n profunzimea plasmei organice cunoa?te momente de relaxare, deplas?ndu-se (ca in ciclul Nu e timpul,fato) de la spectacolul visceralit??ii ?n criz? la filmul cotidianului. Acum, Oana C?t?lina Ninu abordeaz? reportajul autenticist, care cap?t? ?ns? aspectul ?picturilor metafizice“, unde realul e ?textualizat“, realc?tuit, devenind suportul reveriei thanatice, c?ci poeta descrie ?cet??i ale mor?ilor“, evoc? ritualuri funerare grote?ti sau sortilegii sanguinare. (Octavian Soviany ?n Luceaf?rul)Mandala este ?i una dintre figurile ini?ierii. Poezia se scrie ?mpotriva limbajului dat, ?mpotriva sensului uzat, cu sufletul, dar ?mpotriva lui, cu trupul, dar ca mortificare a trupului, cu durere, ca singur vaccin al durerii prin smulgerea ei din trup ?i a?ezarea ei ?n pagin?. (Alex Matei ?n Observator cultural)Poemele se sus?in unele pe altele ?ntr-o ordine nu mecanic?, de domino, ci subversiv?: ?povestea“ ?nainteaz? exclusiv de la un ciclu la altul. ?n interiorul secven?elor, numai discurs: fragmentele narative sunt sincopate ori deturnate. O anume urgen?? a durerii, o panic? reverberat? fiziologic ?n prima parte a volumului (mandala) cedeaz? locul unei aluviuni de repro?uri distante mim?nd refrenul (nu te mai preface ana), apoi unei terapii solitare, cu oscila?ii ?i indecizii (nu e timpul fato). Iat? o radiografiere par?ial? a zonelor liminare. P?n? aici, nu de pu?ine ori scabrosul corporal (sexual sau nu, dup? caz) conserv? atmosfera co?maresc?, comparabil? aceleia din Capriciile lui Goya. (Cosmin Ciotlo? ?n Rom?nia literar?).

S?nge albastru nu mai exist? pe pia?a de carte de zeci de ani. De fapt, de la debut, din 1969. C?nd scriu aceste r?nduri, ?nc? nu mi-am rev?zut ?i recitit cartea. Aproape c? pot spune c? nu am habar ce am scris ?n S?nge albastru. ?i nici nu cred c? a? putea fi obiectiv? fa?? de valoarea estetic? a c?r?ilor mele de ?nceput. Nu-mi amintesc s? fi scris cineva, vreun critic, c?t ar fi fost el de neverosimil, despre carte. E?ecul a fost total. To?i colegii de v?rsta mea debutaser? deja, cu brio. Pentru ei ?ncepuser? vremurile recunoa?terii ?i ale privilegiilor. Eu s?pam, ca o c?rti?? kafkian?, bolnav? ?i oarb?, prin p?m?ntul poeziei din capul meu. ?tiu, doar, c? n-am putut dintr-o pudoare (ne)verosimil? s?-mi exhib sentimentele legate de boala care nu m? l?sa s? respir. Aveam tuberculoz? pulmonar? sever?. Am fost inocent?. S?nt ?i acum, dar altfel. A venit Alex Goldi?, un t?nar critic de aproximativ treizeci de ani, care a readus ?n scen? S?nge albastru, un gest exorbitant ?i riscant din partea lui, pentru care ?i mul?umesc. (Angela Marinescu)De peste patru decenii, Angela Marinescu a r?mas una dintre cele mai excentrice figuri ale poeziei rom?ne?ti, de ne?ncadrat ?n nici o poetic? genera?ionist?. ?n S?nge albastru, excelentul volum de debut din 1969 (care m? face s? m? ?ntreb unde s?nt str?lucitele debuturi de alt?dat?), t?n?ra poet? r?sturna abstractismul panteist ?i livresc à la Nichita St?nescu sau Ana Blandiana ?ntr-un imaginar dens ?i grav, ?nc?rcat de fantasme sexuale ?i funerare. Simbolurile ascensiunii, ale tinere?ii ?i ale purit??ii, tipic ?aizeciste, f?ceau loc unui con?inut poetic ponderabil ?i impudic. Ce ?mp?rt??ea poezia Angelei Marinescu cu versurile colegilor de genera?ie era, poate, doar o anumit? calofilie barbian? a formei, la care va renun?a pe parcurs. Cu optzeci?tii are autoarea Blindajului final ?i mai pu?ine lucruri ?n comun, c?ci formula ei poetic? e tot ce poate fi mai str?in ?nscen?rilor textuale. E explicabil, a?adar, faptul c? tocmai postura de outsider o recomand? pe Angela Marinescu drept mam? absolut? a autenticismului rom?nesc. (Alex Goldi?)

Ceea ce surprinde i fascineaz din capul locului n Ppdia electric este naturaleea cu care erban Axinte i transcrie viziunile. Discursul su nu are nimic contrafcut, strident, literar; din contr, poetul las impresia c nu face dect s repertorieze ct mai neutru, cu o precizie de grefier, o lume care i se ofer de-a gata i care, n ultim instan, l cuprinde. E drept c asemenea fotograme, care nu pot fi captate dect n stri liminale, precum visul, hipnoza, beia sau demena, au un aspect halucinant i misterios, de underworld rsrit parc din aburii alcoolului ori cufundat ntr-o memorie lichefiat. Numai c acest efect nu provine din anularea, ci tocmai din dilatarea percepiei comune, din celulele surescitate ale retinei care descoper nu att o irealitate imediat, ct o realitate remixat, n care lucrurile pot fi i aa, i altminteri. N-a putea bga mna-n foc c lumea i-a mai ieit i de aceast dat lui erban Axinte aa cum a vrut. Poezia, ns – cu siguran.“ – Andrei Terianerban Axinte este, dup cum tie toat lumea, unul dintre cele mai bune produse ale criticii literare din ultimul deceniu. Cronicar la Observator cultural, el este i autorul uneia dintre cele mai ambiioase sinteze recente – Definiiile romanului. De la Dimitrie Cantemir la G. Clinescu, o morfologie istoric a romanului romnesc care merit cu prisosin o receptare en fanfare.ns, pe de alt parte, taman faptul c toat lumea tie cine e criticul literar erban Axinte nu-i face un PR prea grozav poetului erban Axinte, cu toate c cel din urm e egalul absolut n drepturi al celui dinti. Lucrul s-a vzut i la precedenta sa carte de poezie, Lumea i-a ieit cum ai vrut (Vinea, 2006) – recomandat de prefaa empatic a lui Doris Mironescu, volumul n-a avut totui receptarea pe care ar fi meritat-o. Iar acum, dup cum se vede, scriu la rndul meu o prefa empatic, spernd din toat inima c Ppdia electric va fi o carte mai norocoas.(...)Ppdia electric e construit din trei cicluri (ca i Lumea i-a ieit aa cum ai vrut, de altfel – ceea ce poate s sugereze un anumit pattern arhitectural urmrit cu schepsis), intitulate decoct, bulb i acele electrice; ei bine, poemele tuturor acestor trei cicluri sunt inervate de imagini remarcabile, deseori de-a dreptul memorabile – citez aproape la ntmplare: s ni se ridice din inim o lumin att de puternic nct custura lumilor s nu se mai vad (acele electrice), ceva crete acum din mine, / cineva sufl asupra mea / cu miliarde de fotoni. // aura / nflorete din bulbul cretetului meu / ntr-o uria ppdie electric (ppdia electric), de ce i este fric, atta timp ct stai acolo, / nimic nu te poate atinge. // ce vd n tine, ce vd n tine, // un cimitir n care toi dumnezeii pmntului / i-au lsat morii s nfloreasc (de ce i este fric) .a.m.d. Sunt, toate, imagini de o mare frumusee, cu care empatizezi instantaneu i te fac s stabileti cu textul de sub ochi acel contract de ncredere despre care vorbea cndva Borges ca de o condiie sine qua non a lecturii de poezie.(...) Aadar, dac inem s-l etichetm generaionist pe erban Axinte, nu putem dect conchide c e cel mai atipic doumiist. Cu excepia obsesiei pentru hapax-ul existenial, nimic nu-l leag de generaia sa: nici poetica, nici maniera, nici tehnica. O atipie profund transpare din tot scrisul lui poetic; or, dup cum se tie, atipicii sunt ntotdeauna ctigtori pe termen lung.“ – Radu Vancu

vine un tractor, un T 82.5 din Bielorusia,nimeni din cei prezen?i nu am mai v?zut a?a ceva –un tractor care s? planteze cartofi,ne apropiem cu fric? de el,femeile se tem s? urce ?n locurile de unde s? pun? cartofii ?ntr?un tub,le apuc? panica, iau ?n m?ini c?te o sap??i zic c? mai bine planteaz? cu propriile m?ini,e prea periculos acest tractor,nu ?tie nimeni cum merge,e dintr-un alt viitor,tractorul ?sta e un fel de monstru Frankenstein,?l atingem ?i apoi fugim de l?ng? el speria?i

Aceast? carte este ?n limba englez?.?In My Loved Japan, [...] the Romanian poet Clelia Ifrim offers a very fine imaginative response to the tragedy that overtook northeast Japan earlier this year.As far as I know the writer has never visited Japan, though she has long connections with it through haiku, and haiku poets.“A river of tears — to whom belongs this silence after the earthquake?“; “Not a voice or sound but this moon path on the waves — fishermen's village“;“Hobby horse sinking in the depth of the ocean to make its farewell.“?From David Burleigh, Best Books of 2011: Close-up on a People’s Disaster, in Japan Times, at http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fb20111225a5.html.

Claudian, the Latin poet of great affairs, flourished during the joint reigns of the brothers Honorius, the Emperor in the West, and Arcadius, ruler in the East. Though a pagan, he became a professional court-poet, composing for Christian rulers panegyrics that have given us important knowledge of Honorius’ times. Claudian also composed a celebrated mythological epic on the ‘Rape of Proserpina’, which was left unfinished, but has been noted for its command of language and polished style. Delphi’s Ancient Classics series provides eReaders with the wisdom of the Classical world, with both English translations and the original Latin texts. This comprehensive eBook presents Claudius’ complete extant works, with relevant illustrations, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Claudius’ life and works* Features the complete extant works of Claudius, in both English translation and the original Latin* Concise introduction to the life and times of the poet* Includes M. Platnauer’s translation, previously appearing in the Loeb Classical Library edition of Claudius* Excellent formatting of the texts* Easily locate the poems you want to read with individual contents tables* Includes Claudius’ rare poems, first time in digital print* Provides a special dual English and Latin text, allowing readers to compare the sections paragraph by paragraph – ideal for students* Features a bonus biography – discover Claudius’ ancient world* Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to explore our range of Ancient Classics titles or buy the entire series as a Super Set CONTENTS: The TranslationBRIEF BIOGRAPHY: CLAUDIANTHE POEMS OF CLAUDIAN The Latin TextCONTENTS OF THE LATIN TEXT The Dual TextDUAL LATIN AND ENGLISH TEXT The BiographyINTRODUCTION TO CLAUDIAN by Maurice Platnauer Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles

Winner of the first Pulitzer Prize for poetry, the American poet Sara Teasdale composed short, personal lyrics, noted for their classical simplicity and quiet intensity. In 1918 she won the Columbia University Poetry Society prize (forerunner of the Pulitzer Prize for poetry) and the annual prize of the Poetry Society of America for her pioneering collection of verse, ‘Love Songs’. The Delphi Poets Series offers readers the works of literature's finest poets, with superior formatting. This volume presents Teasdale’s complete poetical works, with related illustrations and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Teasdale's life and works* Concise introduction to Teasdale’s life and poetry* Images of how the poetry books were first printed, giving your eReader a taste of the original texts* Excellent formatting of the poems* Special chronological and alphabetical contents tables for the poetry* Easily locate the poems you want to read* Features Teasdale's last three poetry collections for the first time in digital publishing* Teasdale's last poetry collection, her masterpiece ‘Strange Victory’* Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to see our wide range of poet titles CONTENTS: The Life and Poetry of Sara TeasdaleBrief Introduction: Sara TeasdaleSonnets to Duse and Other Poems, 1907Helen of Troy and Other Poems, 1911Rivers to the Sea, 1915Love Songs, 1917Flame and Shadow, 1920Dark of the Moon, 1926Stars To-night, 1930Strange Victory, 1933 The PoemsList of Poems in Chronological OrderList of Poems in Alphabetical Order Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of poetry titles or buy the entire Delphi Poets Series as a Super Set

The Voyage of the Beagle is the title most commonly given to reissues of the book written by Charles Darwin and published in 1839 as his Journal and Remarks, bringing him considerable fame and respect. This was the third volume of The Narrative of the Voyages of H.M. Ships Adventure and Beagle, and covers Darwin's part in the second survey expedition of the ship HMS Beagle, which set sail from Plymouth Sound on 27 December 1831 under the command of Captain Robert FitzRoy, R.N.. Due to the popularity of Darwin's account, the publisher reissued it later in 1839 as Darwin's Journal of Researches, and the revised second edition published in 1845 used this title. A republication of the book in 1905 introduced the title The Voyage of the "Beagle". ? While the expedition was originally planned to last two years, it lasted almost five—the Beagle did not return until 2 October 1836. Darwin spent most of this time exploring on land (three years and three months on land; 18 months at sea). ? The book is a vivid and exciting travel memoir as well as a detailed scientific field journal covering biology, geology, and anthropology that demonstrates Darwin's keen powers of observation, written at a time when Western Europeans were exploring and charting the whole world. Although Darwin revisited some areas during the expedition, for clarity the chapters of the book are ordered by reference to places and locations rather than by date. Darwin's notes made during the voyage include comments illustrating his changing views at a time when he was developing his theory of evolution by natural selection and includes some suggestions of his ideas, particularly in the second edition of 1845.

An officer by the name of Jilin served in the army in the Caucasus. One day he received a letter from home. It was from his mother, who wrote, 'I am getting old now, and I want to see my beloved son before I die. Come and say good-bye to me, and when you have buried me, with God’s grace, you can return to the Army. I have found a nice girl for you to marry; she is clever and pretty, and has some property of her own. If you like her perhaps you will marry and settle down for good.'

It once occurred to a King that if he knew the right moment when to begin on any work and the right kind of people to have or not to have dealings with and the thing to do that was more important than any other thing, he would always be successful. And he proclaimed throughout his kingdom that he would give a great reward to any one who could tell him what was the right moment for any action, and who were the most essential of all people, and what was the most essential thing of all to do.

Ernest Hemingway casts a very long shadow – especially the one thrown over Ray Knight by the Bahamian sunset on Hemingway’s beloved islands of Bimini. Using the late literary giant’s terse aphorisms and mordant quips as springboards for his own lean and drum-tight prose, Ray Knight invites us to join him on a journey from Pamplona to Bimini, in the footsteps of his literary hero. This collection of short stories, anecdotes and excerpts from the author’s novels runs the gamut of emotions, from pathos and tragedy to humor and unabashed sentimentality – from a moving and thought-provoking look at the ethical ramifications of euthanasia to a boxing tale that pulls no punches, and without which no homage to Hemingway would be complete. Whether you add an extra kick to your coffee break one tale at a time or settle down with a glass of rum and spend an evening ‘In The Footsteps of Hemingway’, you’re in for an enjoyable and edifying read – and a great introduction to the author’s full-length works. The Vet’s Dilemma:- A personal look at one man’s anguished choice between humanity and morality. What will he do? What would you do? The Tears of a Clown:- A clown’s antics bring joy to thousands of children but behind the make-up is a face racked with pain. Monty:- A man’s relationship with his car confounds his daughter and leads to a traumatic and deadly conclusion.. Shadows :- A man struggles for survival in a harsh and dangerous environment. Voices from his past come to haunt him. Will they save or condemn him? A Father’s Love:- A father risks the wrath of his community and his life in a desperate attempt rescue his son from the horror of addiction. It Tolls for Thee:- A washed-up boxer is offered one last, desperate shot at the big time – will he risk his life for one final chance of glory? Right of Passage:- A young hunter faces the ultimate test – will he become a legend or just a memory? A sample chapter from ‘The Mountain’… Felicia’s Cabin:- A kidnapped woman faces up to her captors in this sample chapter from’ The Hatcher File’… Walking With the Bulls:- The author recalls his experience in Pamplona in 1977 – a year of tragic events at the Festival of San Fermin Every Job in Town:- An amusing recollection of the author’s time in Sydney during 1980, when Australia was a land full of opportunities for a young man… either to get rich or get into a lot trouble!

Tom Hatcher is a wanted man, dead or alive. Hunted by a crazed Colombian drug lord and hounded by rogue elements within MI6 and the DEA he has nowhere to turn and no one to trust. As a soldier of fortune he finds himself in a desperate struggle for his life and a race against time to save the one person in the world he loves. With no way to escape the circle tightening around him, Tom must fight back against ruthless enemies who follow no rules of engagement and who he can’t face alone. But, who can he trust? Enemies become allies and friends become foes as he tries to unravel the web of deceit and intrigue that shields his adversaries. Inspired by real life events, and in the best Ludlum traditions, this edge-of-the-seat thriller is full of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages until the final thrilling conclusion.

This unique edition of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man from Dead Dodo Vintage includes the full original text as well as exclusive features not available in other editions.