Kirjahaku

A magnificent new biography of the man who gave us David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, and Ebenezer Scrooge This long-awaited biography, twenty years after the last major account, uncovers Dickens the man through the profession in which he excelled. Drawing on a lifetime’s study of this prodigiously brilliant figure, Michael Slater explores the personal and emotional life, the high-profile public activities, the relentless travel, the charitable works, the amateur theatricals and the astonishing productivity. But the core focus is Dickens’ career as a writer and professional author, covering not only his big novels but also his phenomenal output of other writing--letters, journalism, shorter fiction, plays, verses, essays, writings for children, travel books, speeches, and scripts for his public readings, and the relationships among them.Slater’s account, rooted in deep research but written with affection, clarity, and economy, illuminates the context of each of the great novels while locating the life of the author within the imagination that created them. It highlights Dickens’ boundless energy, his passion for order and fascination with disorder, his organizational genius, his deep concern for the poor and outrage at indifference towards them, his susceptibility towards young women, his love of Christmas and fairy tales, and his hatred of tyranny.Richly and precisely illustrated with many rare images, this masterly work on the complete Dickens, man and writer, becomes the indispensable guide and companion to one of the greatest novelists in the language.

A page-turning account of the scandal that almost ruined Dickens and how the story disappeared from history Charles Dickens was regarded as the great proponent of hearth and home in Victorian Britain, but in 1858 this image was nearly shattered. With the breakup of his marriage that year, rumors of a scandalous relationship he may have conducted with the young actress Ellen "Nelly" Ternan flourished. For the remaining twelve years of his life, Dickens managed to contain the gossip. After his death, surviving family members did the same. But when the author's last living son died in 1934, there was no one to discourage rampant speculation. Dramatic revelations came from every corner—over Nelly's role as Dickens's mistress, their clandestine meetings, and even about his possibly fathering an illegitimate child by her.This book presents the most complete account of the scandal and ensuing cover-up ever published. Drawing on the author's letters and other archival sources not previously available, Dickens scholar Michael Slater investigates what Dickens did or may have done, then traces the way the scandal was elaborated over succeeding generations. Slater shows how various writers concocted outlandish yet plausible theories while newspapers and book publishers vied for sensational revelations. With its tale of intrigue and a cast of well-known figures from Thackeray and Shaw to Orwell and Edmund Wilson, this engaging book will delight not only Dickens fans but also readers who appreciate tales of mystery, cover-up, and clever detection.

Are you lifting up others in their time of need? Have tough economic times, physical and emotional challenges, or spiritual pain put you on "the stretcher"? Sometimes, even the most caring people are not sure how to help struggling friends or family. Inside this book, you'll find Biblical insights and practical ways to encourage and support those around you. You will also discover what to do when you are on the stretcher of life. Encouragement and caring are tremendous sources of strength and hope. Let this book guide you, your family, and your friends to the feet of Jesus. We can lift stretchers

Based on the book, The Stretcher, this study teaches how to practically minister to hurting people through the biblical principles of encouragement and support. It will revolutionize the way you and your church deal with the issues that hurting people are facing. The following areas are addressed: - The biblical background for the ministry of encouragement and support - Reasons why people don't reach out for help - How to make it through those difficult times when you are alone on a stretcher - Begin to realize those true friendships in your life and how to affirm and strengthen them - Understanding issues and where we can help - Making Stretcher-Bearing work at your church

Tropes and the Literary-Scientific Revolution: Forms of Proof argues that the rise of mechanical science in the seventeenth century had a profound impact on both language and literature. To the extent that new ideas about things were accompanied by new attitudes toward words, what we commonly regard as the “scientific revolution” inevitably bore literary dimensions as well. Literary tropes and forms underwent tremendous reassessment in the seventeenth century, and early modern science was shaped just as powerfully by contest over the place of literary figures, from personification and metaphor to anamorphosis and allegory. In their rejection of teleological explanations of natural motion, for instance, early modern philosophers often disputed the value of personification, a figural projection of interiority onto what was becoming increasingly a mechanical world. And allegory—a dominant mode of literature from the late Middle Ages until well into the Renaissance—became “the vice of those times,” as Thomas Rymer described it in 1674. This book shows that its acute devaluation was possible only in conjunction with a distinctively modern physics. Analyzing writings by Sidney, Shakespeare, Bacon, Jonson, Brahe, Kepler, Galileo, Hobbes, Descartes, and more, it asserts that the scientific revolution was a literary phenomenon, just as the literary revolution was also a scientific one.

Tropes and the Literary-Scientific Revolution: Forms of Proof argues that the rise of mechanical science in the seventeenth century had a profound impact on both language and literature. To the extent that new ideas about things were accompanied by new attitudes toward words, what we commonly regard as the “scientific revolution” inevitably bore literary dimensions as well. Literary tropes and forms underwent tremendous reassessment in the seventeenth century, and early modern science was shaped just as powerfully by contest over the place of literary figures, from personification and metaphor to anamorphosis and allegory. In their rejection of teleological explanations of natural motion, for instance, early modern philosophers often disputed the value of personification, a figural projection of interiority onto what was becoming increasingly a mechanical world. And allegory—a dominant mode of literature from the late Middle Ages until well into the Renaissance—became “the vice of those times,” as Thomas Rymer described it in 1674. This book shows that its acute devaluation was possible only in conjunction with a distinctively modern physics. Analyzing writings by Sidney, Shakespeare, Bacon, Jonson, Brahe, Kepler, Galileo, Hobbes, Descartes, and more, it asserts that the scientific revolution was a literary phenomenon, just as the literary revolution was also a scientific one.

This brilliant, classic and scholarly study provides the fullest treatment of a key subject. It is one of the essential works on Dickens's work and life. A substantial new introduction deals with more recent commentary. Dickens's treatment of women is a central aspect of his artistic achievement. Professor Slater examines the novelist's experience of women - as son, brother, lover, husband, and father, and as it affected the deepest emotional currents in his life. His perception of female nature and his conception of women's role in the home and outside it - and the ways in which these found expression in his art - are pivotal topics. Professor Slater has sifted the mass of legends and doubtful traditions about Dickens's private life to present a close examination of his relations with women, and of his views of woman's nature and the womanly ideal. This work offers the most detailed survey of women in the novels, and the most comprehensive attempted. It has been acclaimed internationally.​

Dickens's treatment of women is a central aspect of his artistic achievement.Professor Slater examines the novelist's experience of women - as son, brother, lover, husband, and father, and as it affected the deepest emotional currents in his life. His perception of female nature and his conception of women's role in the home and outside it - and the ways in which these found expression in his art - are pivotal topics.Professor Slater has sifted the mass of legends and doubtful traditions about Dickens's private life to present a close examination of his relations with women, and of his views of woman's nature and the womanly ideal.This work offers the most detailed survey of women in the novels, and the most comprehensive attempted. It has been acclaimed internationally.This brilliant, classic and scholarly study provides the fullest treatment of a key subject. It is one of the essential works on Dickens's work and life.A substantial new introduction deals with more recent commentary.

This celebrated and fully illustrated work brings Dickens into close focus as a key commentator on America.He turns his satiric pen on 19th-century American society during his visits in 1842 and 1867-68. This became what G.K. Chesterton called "Dickens's great quarrel with America." It became one of the most celebrated episodes in the history of Anglo-American cultural relations.This large format, fully illustrated book traces the history of Dickens's fascination with the young republic from his first glorious anticipations, through a period of bitter disillusionment, to a final reassessment and tribute to the nation.Michael Slater, doyen of Dickens scholars and his major modern biographer, argues that Dickens was a natural American, and that he experienced the same love/hate relationship with his own country.Dickens expressed many private opinions in his letters, and public views in his books, notably American Notes (1842) and Martin Chuzzlewit (1843-44). He comments on slavery, factories, social life, manners, and the Shakers. He caricatured the boastful, grasping, swindling Americans, taking his gleeful revenge.But he relented and his triumphal reading tour of 1867-68 posed a revealing contrast to his earlier attacks.

This celebrated and fully illustrated work brings Dickens into close focus as a key commentator on America. He turns his satiric pen on 19th-century American society during his visits in 1842 and 1867-68. This became what G.K. Chesterton called "Dickens's great quarrel with America." It became one of the most celebrated episodes in the history of Anglo-American cultural relations. This large format, fully illustrated book traces the history of Dickens's fascination with the young republic from his first glorious anticipations, through a period of bitter disillusionment, to a final reassessment and tribute to the nation. Michael Slater, doyen of Dickens scholars and his major modern biographer, argues that Dickens was a natural American, and that he experienced the same love/hate relationship with his own country. Dickens expressed many private opinions in his letters, and public views in his books, notably American Notes (1842) and Martin Chuzzlewit (1843-44). He comments on slavery, factories, social life, manners, and the Shakers. He caricatured the boastful, grasping, swindling Americans, taking his gleeful revenge.But he relented and his triumphal reading tour of 1867-68 posed a revealing contrast to his earlier attacks.

The Lost Lodge: The O'Neals In is a detective mystery designed not only to entertain young readers but to strengthen their minds. When an unexpected case hits too close to home, readers are drawn into a world of clues, logic, and discovery-learning to observe, question, and think like real detectives. But this story goes beyond suspense. Each chapter features carefully selected vocabulary words (highlighted with definitions) and end-of-chapter summaries that improve reading comprehension, build verbal intelligence, and develop academic confidence. Ideal for young adults (13-18) or older juvenile readers (as low as 10 years of age). Author Michael Slater, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist with more than forty years of experience, has crafted a mystery that challenges without overwhelming. Drawing from his work in schools-and his background as a police officer and prison warden-he weaves together an engaging plot with meaningful learning tools. Young readers are encouraged to stretch their vocabulary, deepen their understanding, and strengthen the "mental muscles" essential for success in school and life. Both thrilling and educational, The Lost Lodge is a wholesome, Christian-based adventure that inspires curiosity, sharpens thinking skills, and reminds children of the power of reading. It is the first in a planned series designed to help students become stronger readers, stronger thinkers, and stronger individuals.