Kirjahaku

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface.We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

A knowledge of great European cultural works is vital for any well-rounded classical education, and the anti-European bias of many present-day educational curricula has led to the deliberate downplaying of great works of art such as Richard Wagner's wonderful operas.Although this work was originally designed for younger readers, older persons seeking an introduction to Wagner's tales will find it equally readable and compelling.It tells the storyline of three of his most famous works: The Flying Dutchman, Lohengrin, and The Mastersingers of Nuremberg, in easy-to-read format. Once familiar with the plot, viewing the actual opera becomes immeasurably more pleasurable, and opens up a greater understanding of the dynamics of Wagnerian themes, motifs, and their underlying meaning.Lohengrin was first performed in 1850, and is based on a number of medieval German romances. Its fame has become so well-ingrained into western consciousness that its Bridal Chorus, better known as "Here Comes the Bride", is still played as a processional at weddings.Die Meistersinger von N rnberg ("The Master-Singers of Nuremberg") was first performed in 1868, and is one of the longest operas ever written, with an average performance taking around four and a half hours. The story revolves around the real-life guild of Meistersinger (Master Singers), an association of amateur poets and musicians and provides an unparalleled insight into life in the ancient and beautiful medieval city of Nuremberg. It is Wagner's only comedy, and also the only one which did not use supernatural elements in its storytelling.The Flying Dutchman was first performed in 1843 and is an adaptation of the older European legend of a ghost ship that can never make port and is doomed to sail the oceans forever. The ghostly crew interact with live people with unexpected consequences and Wagner was inspired to write it after a perilous sea-journey of his own in which his shop was nearly sunk.Completely reset and hand-edited with all the original illustrations.

When disgraced American doctor Burkett's twin is murdered while working for a Christian medical charity, Burkett travels to war-torn Khandak to claim his brother's body. Staring down at the lifeless form in the mortuary, it is as though Burkett is gazing at his own failings. His twin was first and best: the better athlete, better doctor; their father's favourite. Hooked on prescription drugs and booze, Burkett has little to go home to, and so he agrees to take over his brother's surgical clinic. He struggles through the days, sliding inexorably into a spiral of drug abuse. Then he and his twin's devoutly Christian colleague Nick are taken hostage by Islamic fundamentalists. Forced into withdrawal, Burkett is nursed by Nick, and mutual suspicion blooms into hatred. As their plight becomes ever more desperate, Burkett becomes convinced that their captors are his brother's murderers, and that revenge may be the path to redemption, even if it means death. Gripping and suspenseful to the last page, Brother's Keeper is a remarkable novel, that vividly and unflinchingly explores pain and healing, empathy and enmity, forgiveness and revenge.

Struck off and hooked on prescription pills, disgraced American surgeon Ryan Burkett flies to the war-torn Middle East to identify his murdered twin's body. Staring down at the lifeless form in the mortuary, it is as though Burkett is gazing at his own failings. His brother was first and best - the better athlete, better doctor, better son.With little reason to go home, Burkett agrees to take over his brother's charitable surgical clinic. Within weeks, however, he is taken hostage by Islamic fundamentalists. Forced into withdrawal - from both drugs and his own self-loathing - Burkett becomes convinced that his captors are his brother's murderers, and that revenge may be the only path to redemption.