Ian Bradley

Ian Bradley's Complete Annotated Gilbert and Sullivan has established itself across the world as the authorized and definitive 'Bible' for all those interested in the Savoy operas. Originally published in two Penguin paperbacks in the 1980's, a single-volume comprehensive compendium, hailed widely as "easily the best annotated Gilbert & Sullivan available" (Gayden Wren, New York Times) was published by Oxford University Press in 1996. This brand new 20th anniversary edition includes Thespis, Gilbert and Sullivan's first collaboration which is now being increasingly performed, despite the loss of the vocal and orchestral scores. It also features a completely new introduction, reflecting on the state of Gilbert and Sullivan nearly 150 years after the pair began their legendary collaboration, and new annotations addressing recent performance history, newly discovered 'lost' songs and dialogue, and, for the first time, Gilbert and Sullivan references in contemporary popular culture. Scholars, performers, and fans are sure to rejoice in this indispensable companion to the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire, newly updated for the present day.

Ian Bradley has been fascinated by spas since regularly taking the waters at Tunbridge Wells as a boy. He has visited, written and broadcast about spas across Europe and sampled the cures that they offer for over forty years. This book distils his accumulated experiences, research and reflections while also presenting an up-to-date picture of the atmosphere of what, for him, are the most enchanting, and enchanted spas today. The book blends personal reminiscences with a historical overview, amusing anecdotes, factual information and useful tips for visitors. It describes the experience of taking the waters and relishing the atmosphere at thirteen continental spas, seven of which have recently been given UNESCO World Heritage status as 'The Great Spas of Europe'. The result is a fascinating, amusing, and informative survey of these last enchanted places which are being increasingly visited by tourists for their cultural and historic connections as much as their therapeutic benefits.

Delve into the history behind glamourous baths and spas resorts such as Bath, Buxton, Harrogate, Baden-Baden and Vichy. From Romans to royalty and hypochondriacs to holiday-makers, natural water spas have been a common feature in society since the first century. Even today, we periodically abandon the cities to ‘take the waters’. In their heyday, Europe’s spas were the main meeting places for aristocracy, politicians and cultural elites. They were the centres of political and diplomatic intrigue, and were fertile sources of artistic, literary and musical inspiration. The spas epitomised style and were renowned for their cosmopolitan atmosphere in a glittering whirl of balls, gambling and affairs, as much as for their healing waters. Health, Hedonism & Hypochondria reveals the hidden histories of traditional spas of Europe, including such well-known resorts as the original Spa in Belgium; Bath, Buxton & Harrogate in Britain; Baden-Baden & Bad Ems in Germany; Vichy & Aix-les-Bains in France; Bad Ragaz in Switzerland; Bad Ischl & Baden bei Wien in Austria and Karlovy Vary & Mariánské Lázne in the Czech Republic. At once luxurious sanctuaries of relaxation and resorts of the upper classes, they were also the haunts of melancholics, scoundrels and those seeking escape and excitement.

This book offers readers a fascinating new look into the spiritual side of operetta and musical theatre, two closely related genres often dismissed as trivial, shallow, and essentially secular. Bradley challenges these judgements and seeks to show that there have been clear religious influences and spiritual resonances in some of the best known and most popular works in both genres. He points to the darker and more serious side of operetta and musical theatre to analyse the work of Offenbach, Lehár, Gilbert and Sullivan, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Sondheim, Schwartz, Lloyd Webber, and Boublil and Schoenberg. Readers will never listen to The Mikado, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Sweeney Todd, Wicked, Les Miserables and The Lion King in the same way again. Using hitherto largely neglected sources, Music of the Night explores the Jewish and Catholic roots of French operetta composers, the impact of Franz Lehár's Catholic faith, the effect of Oscar Hammerstein's early exposure to Universalism, and the High Church aesthetic of Andrew Lloyd-Webber. Further chapters discuss Arthur Sullivan's softening and spiritualising effect on W. S. Gilbert's lyrics in the Savoy operas, Stephen Sondheim's secularism, and Stephen Schwartz as the 'reluctant pilgrim'. There is specific analysis of the religious influences and spiritual resonances in six key musicals: The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Misérables and The Lion King. A concluding chapter briefly surveys the musicals of the twenty-first century.

This book offers readers a fascinating new look into the spiritual side of operetta and musical theatre, two closely related genres often dismissed as trivial, shallow, and essentially secular. Bradley challenges these judgements and seeks to show that there have been clear religious influences and spiritual resonances in some of the best known and most popular works in both genres. He points to the darker and more serious side of operetta and musical theatre to analyse the work of Offenbach, Lehár, Gilbert and Sullivan, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Sondheim, Schwartz, Lloyd Webber, and Boublil and Schoenberg. Readers will never listen to The Mikado, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Sweeney Todd, Wicked, Les Miserables and The Lion King in the same way again. Using hitherto largely neglected sources, Music of the Night explores the Jewish and Catholic roots of French operetta composers, the impact of Franz Lehár's Catholic faith, the effect of Oscar Hammerstein's early exposure to Universalism, and the High Church aesthetic of Andrew Lloyd-Webber. Further chapters discuss Arthur Sullivan's softening and spiritualising effect on W. S. Gilbert's lyrics in the Savoy operas, Stephen Sondheim's secularism, and Stephen Schwartz as the 'reluctant pilgrim'. There is specific analysis of the religious influences and spiritual resonances in six key musicals: The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Misérables and The Lion King. A concluding chapter briefly surveys the musicals of the twenty-first century.

As Charles III is crowned King of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, and Defender of the Faith, this timely book explains the Christian symbolism of the coronation, and the unique significance of Christian monarchy in the history of the British Isles. God Save the King explores the theme of sacred kingship, its origins in primal religion, its central role in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible and its representation in modern popular culture. The book also analyses the particular relationship in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth between sovereign and church, the monarch’s traditional roles as protector of Protestantism and Defender of the Faith, and how these are being reinterpreted in the context of a multi-faith and multi-cultural Britain. With the inclusion of fascinating details of sacred engagements in the annual royal calendar and little-known rituals, this book represents a celebration and an exploration of sacred monarchy as it has been understood and practised over the centuries and of its continuing relevance today. This is an indispensable and essential guide to the history, structure and symbolism of the coronation service, including lively anecdotes about things that have gone wrong in past ceremonies. It will provide the perfect companion for all who wish to understand the significance and symbolism of what will happen on 6 May.

'Coffin roads' along which bodies were carried for burial are a marked feature of the landscape of the Scottish Highlands and islands – many are now popular walking and cycling routes. This book journeys along eight coffin roads to discover and explore the distinctive traditions, beliefs and practices around dying, death and mourning in the communities which created and used them. The result is a fascinating snapshot into place and culture. After more than a century when death was very much a taboo subject, this book argues that aspects of the distinctive West Highland and Hebridean way of death and approach to dying and mourning may have something helpful and important to offer to us today. Routes covered in this book are: The Kilmartin Valley – the archetypal coffin road in this ritual landscape of the dead. The Street of the Dead on Iona – perhaps the best known coffin road in Scotland. Kilearnadil Graveyard, Jura – a perfect example of a Hebridean graveyard. The coffin road through Morvern to Keil Church, Lochaline - among the best defined and most evocative coffin roads today. The Green Isle, Loch Shiel, Ardnamurchan - the oldest continuously used burial place anywhere in Europe. The coffin road on Eigg – with its distinctive ‘piper’s cairn’ where the coffin of Donald MacQuarrie, the 'Great Piper of Eigg', was rested. The coffin road from Traigh Losgaintir to Loch Stocinis on Harris - popular with walkers and taken as the title for a best-selling thriller by Peter May. The coffin road on Barra – A detailed study of burial practices on Barra in the early 1950s provides a fascinating record of Hebridean attitudes to dying, death and mourning.

This unique anthology of biblical and other sacred religious texts, sermons, essays, poems and hymns offers a rich collection of perspectives and beliefs on what lies beyond death, and is designed to bring encouragement, comfort and reassurance as well as prompting spiritual reflection and intellectual curiosity. Ian Bradley is a much-respected writer, broadcaster and academic, and a former Church of Scotland minister, and offers a short commentary on the facing page of each reading, providing context and helpful information and observations. This book will be a valuable resource for all who seek to understand death personally or professionally.

The perfect resource for beginners, Metalwork and Machining Hints and Tips for Home Machinists is an informative anthology that combines useful advice and instruction with explanations of tools and techniques. With expert insight on a wide range of workshop practices and minor jobs that beginners may not be familiar with yet, this helpful guide will introduce readers to arbors and mandrels, belt jointing and splicing, shaft collars, finishing metal surfaces, G-clamps, cutting holes, hand turning tools, and so much more. Author Ian Bradley was an experienced engineer with a lifetime of experience in precision engineering and contributed to Model Engineer magazine for over 50 years.

Paddy Maguire deliberately creates a feud between his sons, Rory and Mike, by leaving his entire fortune to the last surviving brother.When Rory is facing bankruptcy, even jail, he decides there is only one solution: his brother has to die.But Mike, having just recovered from cancer, has retired to Far North Queensland, and the Queensland border is closed because of Covid.Urged on by his grasping wife and a drug-dealing mistress, Rory smuggles himself across the border and heads north, intent on murder.But nothing can prepare him for what awaits him there.

This book charts the life of Arthur Sullivan--the best loved and most widely performed British composer in history. While he is best known for his comic opera collaborations with W. S. Gilbert, it was his substantial corpus of sacred music which meant most to him and for which he wanted to be remembered. His upbringing and training in church music, and his own religious beliefs, substantially affected both his compositions for the theatre and his more serious work, which included oratorios, cantatas, sacred ballads, liturgical pieces, and hymns. Focusing on the spiritual aspects of Sullivan's life--which included several years as a church organist, involvement in Freemasonry, and an undying attachment to Anglican church music--Ian Bradley uses hitherto undiscovered letters, diary entries, and other sources to reveal the important influences on his faith and his work. No saint and certainly no ascetic, he was a lover of life and enjoyed its pleasures to the full. At the same time, he had a rare spiritual sensitivity, a sincere Christian faith, and a unique ability to uplift through both his character and his music that can best be described as a quality of divine emollient.

Columba is one of the best known and most well documented figures in Celtic Christianity and has consistently been Scotland’s most popular saint. His journey from his native Ireland, where he was born 1500 years ago, took him eventually to Iona where he established a monastery which was to have a hugely important role in the Christianisation of the British Isles. Iona remains today a spiritual beacon and magnet drawing pilgrims from across the world keen to learn about his legacy and follow his way. In this substantially updated and revised version of his acclaimed biography, which has never been out of print since it was first published 25 years ago, Ian Bradley examines Columba’s character, life and achievements. He explores the key themes of Columban Christianity – politics, penitence and pilgrimage – and their sometimes uncomfortable message for us today. Ian Bradley is Emeritus Professor of Cultural and Spiritual History at the University of St Andrews, a regular broadcaster, preacher and lecturer and the author of more than forty books, six of which are on aspects of Celtic Christianity. A book which is clear, useful and well grounded. Esther de Waal, Church Times Some readers have the habit of marking key passages in the pages of their books. My own copy of this one is covered in pen marks. It's marvellous. Rennie McOwan, Scots Magazine Ian Bradley has done great things for Celtic Spirituality. He is not interested in populism or trendiness, but seeks an accurate dissemination of trustworthy information. And like the best academics, he changes his mind when new data requires it. This is a good book about Scotland’s greatest Irish evangelist. John L Bell, Wild Goose Resource Group

God is Green examines what the Bible has to say about humanity’s relationship with and responsibility for the environment, and how Church traditions over the centuries have interpreted this. Ian Bradley argues that Christianity at its essence is a ‘green faith’ which has been distorted over the years. First published in 1990, this new edition of the book is revised for the contemporary state of our climate, and includes a chapter-by-chapter study guide for individuals and small groups.

Delve into the history behind the glamorous baths and spas of Europe to reveal the hidden past of alternative treatments. Popular with people from Romans to royalty and hypochondriacs to holiday-makers, natural water spas have been a common feature in society since the first century. Even today, we periodically abandon the cities to ‘take the waters’. In their heyday, Europe’s spas were the main meeting places for aristocracy, politicians and cultural elites. They were the centres of political and diplomatic intrigue, and were fertile sources of artistic, literary and musical inspiration. The spas epitomised style and were renowned for their cosmopolitan atmosphere in a glittering whirl of balls, gambling and affairs, as much as for their healing waters. Health, Hedonism and Hypochondria reveals the hidden histories of traditional spas of Europe, including such well-known resorts as the original Spa in Belgium; Bath, Buxton and Harrogate in Britain; Baden-Baden and Bad Ems in Germany; Vichy and Aix-les-Bains in France; Bad Ragaz in Switzerland; Bad Ischl and Baden bei Wien in Austria and Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázne in the Czech Republic. At once luxurious sanctuaries of relaxation and resorts of the upper classes, these spas were also the haunts of melancholics, scoundrels and those seeking escape and excitement.

A quarter-century after writing the acclaimed The Celtic Way, Ian Bradley, one of the foremost experts on the spiritual beliefs and practices of the indigenous Christian communities in the British Isles in the early Middle Ages, revisits the original sources and makes a substantial reappraisal of Celtic spirituality. Following the Celtic Way challenges many of the myths and romanticized portrayals of Celtic Christianity and shows evidence of the harder edge and demanding austerity of the lives and spirituality of believers from this time. This book sits among the most insightful and up-to-date introductions to this distinctive and evocative expression of faith and draws out its themes that are most relevant to us today. It also offers practical spiritual guidance on how to follow the Celtic Way in the contemporary world.

'We walked steadily towards the van. Self-confidence is everything. This is the ultimate face-off. Suddenly the lions back off.'Alienated from his English family by the secrecy surrounding the identity of his father, Rufus Jones escapes to Australia. He builds a new life as a professional gambler until a misunderstanding with the law finds him struggling to survive in prison. There he stumbles across the BBC Wildlife series 'The Human Planet.' Seeing parallels between mankind's fight for survival in the wild and his fight for survival in prison, he adopts the episode 'Grasslands: Roots of Power' as his life model.But his prison escapades leave him a marked man. Even on release he needs all the cunning and courage of a Kalahari Bushman and the bravado of an Ethiopian Cowboy to survive; especially when a chance meeting with his father leads him to understand who he truly is.

This book is the essential companion for anyone exploring the new Fife Pilgrim Way, whether on foot, by car or bicycle or simply as an armchair traveller. Packed with history, vivid anecdote and nearly 100 colour illustrations, it brings to life the fascinating communities and the characters along the route in whose footsteps modern pilgrims are treading. Setting off with Celtic saints and St Margaret from Culross and North Queensferry, marching with miners through the West Fife coalfields, carrying on with Covenanters and Communists, and ending among the martyrs, relics and ghosts of the haunted city of St Andrews, this gripping narrative presents a journey through Scottish history, ancient and modern, with spiritual reflections along the way.