Spiritualism: A Popular History from 1847

by Joseph Martin McCabe Purchase Joseph Martin McCabe was born on November 12, 1867. At the age of 15 he began training in the Franciscan order, and in 1890 was ordained. He was praised for his excellent scholarly work, especially in philosophy and was selected to study at the Catholic University of Louvain. By February… Continue reading Spiritualism: A Popular History from 1847

Kingsglaive’s Exploration of World War II, Cultural Trauma, and the Plight of Refugees: An Animated Film as Complex Narrative

by Amy M. Green Purchase Kingsglaive’s Exploration of World War II, Cultural Trauma, and the Plight of Refugees: An Animated Film as Complex Narrative posits that the 2016 film, tied narratively to the video game Final Fantasy XV, merits far more critical attention that it has received. Given that Kingsglaive is both CGI animated and… Continue reading Kingsglaive’s Exploration of World War II, Cultural Trauma, and the Plight of Refugees: An Animated Film as Complex Narrative

A New Art of Brewing Beer, Ale, and Other Sorts of Liquors: So as to Render Them More Healthfull to the Body and Agreeable to Nature

by Thomas Tryon Purchase The young Horatio Alger heroes often sold newspapers or delivered telegrams, a reminder of how technology has moved on. Alger’s tales created youthful heroes whose persistence and pluck triumphed over enormous odds, often having to educate themselves by a flickering candle and late at night. But they hoped for better things… Continue reading A New Art of Brewing Beer, Ale, and Other Sorts of Liquors: So as to Render Them More Healthfull to the Body and Agreeable to Nature

Wine, Women, and Song: Medieval Latin Students’ Songs Now First Translated into English Verse with an Essay

by John Addington Symonds Purchase John Addington Symonds was born on October 5, 1840 in Bristol, England. He became well known as a poet, researcher, and teacher. Biographers have often remarked on Symonds’ bisexuality as being a significant influence on his life. He was in multiple relations with men and women throughout his life. These… Continue reading Wine, Women, and Song: Medieval Latin Students’ Songs Now First Translated into English Verse with an Essay

Speech and Manners for Home and School

by Miss E. S. Kirkland Purchase E. S. Kirkland wrote books intended for children regarding domesticity in general. Her most popular book was Six Little Cooks, aiming to teach children how to cook, along with some specially selected recipes. When first released, Speech and Manners for Home and School was advertised with the following:”This book…is… Continue reading Speech and Manners for Home and School

Pirates with a Foreword and Sundry Decorations

by Daniel Defoe, Introduction by C. Lovat Fraser Purchase through Amazon Daniel Defoe has a very long history of readership. Thought to have been born on September 13, 1660 as Daniel Foe, he lived until April 24, 1731. He was many things, including a writer, trader, political thinker and spy. He wrote a great deal… Continue reading Pirates with a Foreword and Sundry Decorations

The History of Fashion in France: or, The Dress of Women From the Gallo-Roman Period to the Present Time

by M. Augustin Challelmel Translated by Mrs. Cashel Hoey and Mr. John Lillie Purchase through Amazon Born in Paris, Jean Baptiste Marie Augustin Challamel (1818-1894) was a historian who wrote extensively about various aspects of the social history of France. He wrote a great deal, and his works were well-received. Some of his titles included… Continue reading The History of Fashion in France: or, The Dress of Women From the Gallo-Roman Period to the Present Time

The Magic Casement: An Anthology of Fairy Poetry

by Alfred Noyes Purchase through Amazon This cleverly illustrated volume by Alfred Noyes offers a literary selection of poetry that reference fairies in all their shapes and forms. Along with works by Noyes, The Magic Casement also features selections by William Shakespeare, Rudyard Kipling and G. K. Chesterton. Noyes allows the reader to traverse new,… Continue reading The Magic Casement: An Anthology of Fairy Poetry

Dogs in Early New England

by Howard M. Chapin Purchase through Amazon Howard M. Chapin’s interesting and unusual study offers a look at dogs in the New England region during the 1600-1700s. He offers accounts derived from both Native Americans and incoming settlers, and includes archival evidence and photographs of artifacts. A dog fancier himself, Chapin sheds some light on… Continue reading Dogs in Early New England

Annals of the Royal Society Club: The Record of a London Dining-Club in the Eighteenth & Nineteenth Centuries

by Sir Archibald Geikie Purchase through Amazon Sir Archibald Geikie was born into a life of privilege on December 28, 1835. He attended Edinburgh High School, and then went on to attend the University of Edinburgh. Geikie’s focus was on geology, and he became an assistant with the British Geological Survey, where, among other things,… Continue reading Annals of the Royal Society Club: The Record of a London Dining-Club in the Eighteenth & Nineteenth Centuries

The Politics of Impeachment

Margaret Tseng, Editor Purchase Print Edition  |  Purchase Kindle Edition As changes in our political system have developed over the last two centuries, impeachment has grown even more political. The polarization of political parties, the power of interest groups and the expansion of suffrage has deeply impacted who we elect. Those elected officials, in turn, are responsible… Continue reading The Politics of Impeachment

The Rise of the Book Plate: An Exemplative of the Art

by W. G. Bowdoin, Introduction by Henry Blackwell Purchase through Amazon  Bookplates were made to denote ownership and hopefully steer the volume back to the rightful shelf if borrowed. They often contained highly stylized writing, drawings, coat of arms, badges or other images of interest to the owner. Theearliest known form of a bookplate originates… Continue reading The Rise of the Book Plate: An Exemplative of the Art

Palaces of Sin, or The Devil in Society

by Col. Dick Maple Purchase through Amazon  “Colonel” Dick Maple was the fanciful pen name for Seth McCallen, who penned a great many highly polemical works. He wrote this particular work against alcohol and nightlife. In particular, he guards readers against women in corsets, who drink or otherwise dabble in lifestyles or actions he finds… Continue reading Palaces of Sin, or The Devil in Society

Peasant Art in Sweden, Lapland and Iceland

by Charles Holme Purchase through Amazon  Art made by those not traditionally trained has several terms, including outsider art, folk art, raw art and peasant art. This particular work offers a carefully chosen selection of both the decorative and fine arts of Sweden, Iceland, and the northern-most region of Finland. A comprehensive survey, it includes… Continue reading Peasant Art in Sweden, Lapland and Iceland

A Dictionary of Old English Music & Musical Instruments

by Jeffrey Pulver Purchase through Amazon  Jeffrey Pulver wrote numerous works on music, including Paganini, the Romantic Virtuoso, and Aids to Elementary Violin Playing. This particular work seeks to rescue and herald the English history of music, and to elevate it to the status of music found in France, Italy and other European nations in… Continue reading A Dictionary of Old English Music & Musical Instruments

The Old Spanish Missions of California: A Historical and Descriptive Sketch

by Paul Elder Purchase through Amazon  There were twenty one Spanish missions in California, established between 1769 and 1833 by Catholic priests to spread Christianity. Paul Elder collected various snippets of California history and compiled it in this work with quotes from various primary sources and photographs of numerous missions across the state, which presents… Continue reading The Old Spanish Missions of California: A Historical and Descriptive Sketch

Vampires and Vampirism: Collected Stories from Around the World

by Dudley Wright Purchase through Amazon  Dudley Wright’s fascinating work offers an academic treatment of the history of vampires. He traces the legend of vampires through history and around the world, making stops at Hungary, Britain, Russia, and various parts of what was then referred to as the Orient. He offers a collection of stories… Continue reading Vampires and Vampirism: Collected Stories from Around the World

Deep Sea Chanties: Old Sea Songs

by Frank Shay, Illustrated by Edw. A. Wilson, Introduction by William McFee Purchase through Amazon  Deep Sea Chanties offers a unique lens upon seafaring life punctuated with fabulous woodcut illustrations by Edward A. Wilson. From the editor, Frank Shay: “In bringing these songs together I have sought to catch for the moment the spirit of… Continue reading Deep Sea Chanties: Old Sea Songs

The Laws of Ecarte: The Laws of Écarté, Adopted by The Turf and Portland Clubs with a Treatise on the Game

by Cavendish Purchase through Amazon  In the 19th century, Écarté was all the rage. The name is French for ‘discarded’ as the two player game focuses on each playing working to get rid of undesirable cards, and negotiating with the dealer for a set of potentially better cards. The game requires a lot of quick… Continue reading The Laws of Ecarte: The Laws of Écarté, Adopted by The Turf and Portland Clubs with a Treatise on the Game

American Indian Love Lyrics: and Other Verse from the Songs of North American Indians

by Nellie Barnes, Foreword by Mary Austin Purchase through Amazon  The verses selected reflect a variety of subjects, including friendship, sadness, nature, special places and religious beliefs. Although the book is old, it remains a notable source of information on Native American verse. The selections were chosen by Nellie L. Barnes and are sourced from… Continue reading American Indian Love Lyrics: and Other Verse from the Songs of North American Indians

Curious Epitaphs: Collected from the Graveyards of Great Britain and Ireland: with Biographical, Genealogical, and Historical Notes

by William Andrews FRHS Purchase through Amazon  How do you summarize a life in just a few words? William Andrews takes readers on a journey through strange and unusual epitaphs of the 19th century in England, featuring a variety of both notable and obscure figures: servants, soldiers, clergy, musicians, clerks and more. Andrews’ work is… Continue reading Curious Epitaphs: Collected from the Graveyards of Great Britain and Ireland: with Biographical, Genealogical, and Historical Notes

The Women of the French Salons

by Amelia Gere Mason Purchase through Amazon  Amelia Gere Mason developed Women of the French Salons by creating an archive of oral histories of women who participated in the salons. She also poured through letters, original manuscripts, memoirs and other writings of participants. Mason credits the salon culture with assisting French women in developing a… Continue reading The Women of the French Salons

A Book of American Trade-Marks & Devices: An Illustration of Early Advertising Logos

by Joseph Sinel Purchase through Amazon The majority of American businesses fail, falling apart within the first few years of inception. Running a business is terribly difficult as the carnage reflected in A Book of American Trade-Marks illustrates, offering a graveyard tour of popular and powerful businesses nearly a century ago, an insight into past… Continue reading A Book of American Trade-Marks & Devices: An Illustration of Early Advertising Logos

Secret Chambers and Hiding Places: The Historic, Romantic & Legendary Stories & Traditions About Hiding Holes, Secret Chambers, Etc.

by Allan Fea Purchase through Amazon Allan Fea (1860-1956) went to Grove Hall School, Highgate, became a researcher in the India Office Library and then Private Secretary to Field Marshal Lord Strathnairn before a career in the Bank of England, 1880-1900. His history of hiding places features many illustrations. The work focuses on English history and… Continue reading Secret Chambers and Hiding Places: The Historic, Romantic & Legendary Stories & Traditions About Hiding Holes, Secret Chambers, Etc.

Negro Poetry and Drama: Revisiting the Voices of Early African American Figures

by Sterling A. Brown, Preface by Whitney Sheperd Purchase through Amazon  |  Purchase through CreateSpace Commissioned by the great Alain Locke and edited by Sterling A. Brown, Negro Poetry and Drama was an essential tool in the African American adult education movement during the early twentieth century. The fight for civil rights was accompanied by a… Continue reading Negro Poetry and Drama: Revisiting the Voices of Early African American Figures

The History of Playing Cards: Anecdotes for Their Use in Conjuring, Fortune Telling & Card Sharping

by Rev. Ed. S. Taylor Purchase through Amazon  |  Purchase through CreateSpace The History of Playing Cards offers a comprehensive look at the history and usage of cards, tracing their movements through India, China, the Middle East, and through Europe, with a heavy emphasis on cards in France and England. Taylor included a great deal of… Continue reading The History of Playing Cards: Anecdotes for Their Use in Conjuring, Fortune Telling & Card Sharping

Bohemian San Francisco: Its Restaurants and Their Most Famous Recipes

by Clarence E. Edwords Purchase on Amazon   Clarence E. Edwords’ book is both a culinary history that remains a reference and a reminder of just how different San Francisco has always been, despite how we think it just recently became the capital of the unconventional. Anthony Ashbolt quotes the familiar view of its contemporary Bohemianism… Continue reading Bohemian San Francisco: Its Restaurants and Their Most Famous Recipes

British Letters: Illustrative of Character and Social Life

by Edward T. Mason Purchase on Amazon  |  Purchase on CreateSpace Edward Tuckerman Mason (1847-1911) published anthologies on American humor, along with studies of Samuel Johnson and Robert Browning, as well as a still admired – and ahead of its time – work on the Italian actor Tommaso Salvini and his interpretation of Othello. This… Continue reading British Letters: Illustrative of Character and Social Life

Old-World Japan: Legends of the Land of the Gods

by Frank Rinder Purchase on Amazon  |  Purchase on CreateSpace Frank Rinder (1863-1937) was the art correspondent of the Glasgow Herald and adviser to the National Gallery in Melbourne, Australia. He had the luck of a substantial bequest to the gallery, which enabled him to be aggressive as its agent. His other books included a history… Continue reading Old-World Japan: Legends of the Land of the Gods

Spring or Cruel Winter?: The Evolution of the Arab Revolutions

by Dr. Alon Ben-Meir Purchase on Amazon  |  Purchase on CreateSpace The Arab Spring, sparked by Tunisian university graduate turned street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi’s act of self-immolation, is an ongoing, integral part of global transformation, ushering in a new era in which no ruler can deprive his citizens of their basic rights. However, this idealism was… Continue reading Spring or Cruel Winter?: The Evolution of the Arab Revolutions

Naturism in the United States

Purchase through Amazon  |  Purchase through CreateSpace This controversial book has been a stalwart part of the reading lists of those attracted to naturism, which involved much more than simply taking off clothes and lying on a beach. The complex relationship that involves nudity with disciplines as disparate as yoga and environmentalism makes the subject… Continue reading Naturism in the United States

Collecting American Presidential Autographs

Purchase through Amazon Paul C. Richards, Edited and Introduced by Paul Rich The collecting of autographs of American presidents is done with a passion that is not found about similar figures in other countries.  Canadian prime ministers or Finnish presidents are not the focus of hobbyists. The enthusiasm of getting a set of presidential signatures is… Continue reading Collecting American Presidential Autographs