Amanda Ford

Elizabeth Gaskell’s writings abound in references to a cultural materiality encompassing different types of fabric, stuffs, calicoes, chintzes and fine-point lace. These are not merely the motifs of the Realist genre but reveal a complex polysemy. Utilizing a metonymic examination of these tropes, this volume exposes the dramatic structural and socio-economic upheaval generated by industrialization, urbanization and the widening sphere of empire. The material evidence testifies to the technological and production innovations evolving diachronically for the period, and the evolution of Manchester as the industrial ‘Cottonpolis’ that clothed the world by the 1840s. This volume analyses Gaskell’s manipulation of the materiality, arguing its firm roots lie in the quotidian of women’s domestic and provincial life within the growing ranks of the middle classes. Exploring Gaskell’s tactile imagination, an embodied relationship with fabrics and sewing, a function of her daily life from an early age, this volume provides insight into the sensory aspects of cloth and its ability to stir affective responses, emotions and memories, whereby worn fabrics and even the absence of previous textile treasures, is poignant, recreating layers of recollection. This book aims to restore the pulsating, dynamic context of ordinary women’s dressed lives and presents innovative interpretations of Gaskell’s texts.

The history of Carson-Newman University, the development of rural Appalachia in the nineteenth century, and the rise of the Baptist faith in the South are all inextricably linked. The 120-acre university known today for its high-value liberal arts education and Christian-focused student life, originally founded as Mossy Creek Missionary Baptist Seminary in 1851, is situated in Jefferson County, Tennessee, amidst the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Baptist leaders sought to develop the rechristened Mossy Creek Baptist College to cater to the growing population of East Tennessee. In 1880, the college was renamed again for James Harvey Carson who left his estate to the institution that would become Carson College. Newman College, a separate facility for women’s education operating alongside the all-male Carson, would merge with the latter in 1889 creating, under a new moniker, one of the first coeducational institutions in the South: Carson-Newman. In this expertly told history, Melody Marion and Amanda Ford trace the school’s humble beginnings through two dozen presidents; the turmoil of the American Civil War, Reconstruction, and two world wars; and the contemporary scandals that have plagued the Southern Baptist Convention. Carson-Newman’s history is filled with important players, both courageous and corrupt. Many such players fought tirelessly to grow the campus and maintain a level of excellence at Carson-Newman, but the university’s history is dotted with conflict concerning women’s rights, civil rights, presidents whose questionable actions created firestorms of protest and led to their exits, and modern questions related to its Baptist affiliation. Additionally, Carson-Newman University owes much to its Appalachian heritage, and in an excellent final chapter the authors unpack Carson-Newman’s regional identity past and present. Education in Appalachia historically has fallen behind national standards, but from its start as a seminary through its gender-segregated college days to the integrated orange-and-blue Eagles we know today, the university, with its presidents and academic body has been an agent of demonstrable gain for its students and the region. Today, as new chapters in Carson-Newman’s history are being opened, this text will serve as a record of tradition, world-class education, and lifelong learning within a Christian setting.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s writings abound in references to a cultural materiality encompassing different types of fabric, stuffs, calicoes, chintzes and fine-point lace. These are not merely the motifs of the Realist genre but reveal a complex polysemy. Utilizing a metonymic examination of these tropes, this volume exposes the dramatic structural and socio-economic upheaval generated by industrialization, urbanization and the widening sphere of empire. The material evidence testifies to the technological and production innovations evolving diachronically for the period, and the evolution of Manchester as the industrial ‘Cottonpolis’ that clothed the world by the 1840s. This volume analyses Gaskell’s manipulation of the materiality, arguing its firm roots lie in the quotidian of women’s domestic and provincial life within the growing ranks of the middle classes. Exploring Gaskell’s tactile imagination, an embodied relationship with fabrics and sewing, a function of her daily life from an early age, this volume provides insight into the sensory aspects of cloth and its ability to stir affective responses, emotions and memories, whereby worn fabrics and even the absence of previous textile treasures, is poignant, recreating layers of recollection. This book aims to restore the pulsating, dynamic context of ordinary women’s dressed lives and presents innovative interpretations of Gaskell’s texts.

A Be Yourself Guide for Teen Girls#1 New Release in Teen & Young Adult Maturing, School & Education, Bullying Issues, Dating & IntimacyIn this book of short daily meditations and essays, Amanda Ford, a young adult herself, offers stories, information, and advice on all the important issues facing young women today: boys, dating, drinking, self-respect, self-love, fights with friends, dealing with parents, and more.Support for young women as they navigate one of the most confusing and challenging times of their lives. When Amanda Ford emerged from her tumultuous teenage years, she saw the need for a guide to help girls learn to listen to their inner voices and think for themselves. Be True To Yourself is the big sister Amanda never had-and always wanted to be. It provides the encouragement and guidance she wished, as a teenage girl, that an older sister had given her, as well as stories and advice that she would have loved to share with a younger sister during her own teen years.Your daughter, granddaughter, niece, or young friend will learn to listen to her heart with this coming-of-age guide. Girls will find comfort, encouragement, and insight in these pages, along with suggestions for articulating and confiding their feelings, fears, and frustrations. They will learn more about so many important topics introduced during adolescence, such as:How to love yourself, boost your self-confidence, and receive compliments wellHow to determine your own values, be true to yourself, and follow through on your promisesHow to cherish your friends and family-even when they’re getting on your last nerveIf you appreciated self-development books for teens like The Ultimate Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens, Just As You Are, You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way, or Embracing the Awkward, then you’ll love Be True to Yourself.

A Powerful Lesson on Unconditional Love and How to Raise Happy Children“A must for every family library.”—USA TodayThis collection of essays offers a gentle guide on how to put your love into daily actions. A parent’s calling is to raise a person. By making loving actions part of your life, you have the power to build the kind of family unit most people long for. Wonderful Ways to Love a Child is filled with true stories of parents and children who are nurturing strong and loving families. The book provides the support that empowers you to be the parent you want to be and expands your parenting skills.No simple tricks. Cultivating a loving relationship with your child demands integrity, compassion, and emotional honesty. It is a forever commitment to continuous loving actions–even when you are too tired. This low-stress approach to positive parenting produces children with high self-esteem. This is how children succeed.A perfect gift for new parents. Wonderful Ways to Love a Child is a prescription to strengthen family bonds that will last a lifetime. There are many different parenting styles–this one is based in love and logic, and positive discipline. Learn to put yourselves in your children’s shoes–and have fun in the process.In this book you’ll discover guides to:Loving yourself and allowing your child to love themselvesGiving the gift of your presence and being open to the miracle of transformationSaying yes as often as possible, and knowing when to say noTeaching that all feelings are acceptable and making room for the CrankiesDelighting in silliness by laughing, dancing and singing togetherTeaching values by exampleOther essential tools to ensure a loving, lasting friendship with your children–and make them want to come visit when they are olderIf you enjoyed parenting books such as How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and How to Listen so Kids Will Talk, 1-2-3 Magic, or Parenting with Love and Logic, you’ll love Wonderful Ways to Love a Child.

Note: This is NOT a book for single women on how to find a man/ it is a guide for women who want to find their truest selves and celebrate them. As the author of the daily meditation book for teenage girls, Be True to Yourself, Amanda Ford's message of fierce individuality and even stronger identity has grown up with her audience. In her new book Kiss Me, I'm Single, Ford exhorts single women not to get lost in the pressure to be in a relationship (single women's mantra: Any relationship will do ) and not to lose themselves in a relationship. The bottom line is that the most important relationship they can have is with themselves. True love is an inside job and begins with you. It is a basic fact of life that in order to be truly happy and fulfilled with another person, you must be truly happy and fulfilled on your own first. A good relationship can enhance life for sure, but it cannot take what is just "okay" and turn in into perfect. In Kiss Me, I'm Single Amanda Ford urges readers: "Get off your derrieres and get to work on yourself. Go inward and be relentless in your search. Discover what is in you that you must do in order to bring joy into your own life." Refreshingly honest, ruefully witty and wise, Ford has also dug deep down and done the work she recommends. From her soulsearching sojourn, Amanda Ford brings back news that will empower all young women: "Love has nothing to do with another person/ it is a condition of your own heart."

Amanda Ford, the bestselling author of Be True to Yourself, now presents Retail Therapy, the ultimate guide to life through shopping Retail Therapy is a playful yet wise look at the pleasures of shopping. Amanda Ford loves to shop, and she exuberantly shares the stories of her most memorable finds the perfect pink sweater, a set of precious porcelain dishes, a dusty yet valuable antique. But she also shows how shopping allows us to examine deeper truths about our lives and what is really going on when money is spent. Chapters include "The Best Trends to Follow Are the Ones You Set Yourself," "We Never Know How Things Will Turn Out," "Be Thankful for What You Have," and "Some Places We Have to Go to Alone." Blending tales about her own experiences with life lessons, quotes, and advice, her message is ultimately about discovering your passions, taking care of yourself, and being conscious about decisions.

Having recently emerged from the tumultuous teenage years herself, Amanda Ford saw the need for a guide to help girls learn to listen to their inner voices and think for themselves. Inspired by such popular books as Simple Abundance and The Woman's Book of Courage, her book offers support to young women as they navigate one of the most confusing and challenging times of their lives. As anyone familiar with teenagers knows, there is nothing they hate more than being told what to do or how to think by "out of touch" adults. Here's the real scoop from one who knows the score. In 365 one-page essays, Ford offers stories, information, and advice on all the important issues facing young women today: boys, dating, drinking, self-esteem, fights with friends, dealing with parents, and more. Girls will find comfort, encouragement, and insight in these pages, along with suggestions for articulating and confiding their feelings, fears, and frustrations.