John Williams

Based on John Williams' meticulous documentation of his travels, this 1837 volume offers an insight into the perilous life of a missionary in the early nineteenth century. The author, an ironmonger by trade, set sail for the South Sea Islands in 1817 with the intention of spreading the gospel and introducing modern technology to the region. As well as recounting the frequent threats to his safety from angry natives, war, natural disaster and disease, Williams provides detailed surveys of the peoples, languages and natural environment he encountered and describes with great exuberance and humour 'the impression made upon barbarous people by their first intercourse with civilised man'. Made more poignant by the author's death at the hands of cannibals just two years after the book's publication, this is an extraordinary account of the perseverance and ingenuity of a man who became a hero and martyr for the Protestant missionary movement.

British writers of the Romantic Period were popular in Germany throughout the nineteenth century, and translations of Scott, Burns, Moore, Hemans, and Byron (among others) became widespread. This study analyses the reception of William Wordsworth's poetry in 19th century Germany in relation to other romantic poets. Research into Anglo-German cultural relations has tended to see Wordsworth as of little or no interest to Germany but new research shows that Wordsworth was clearly of interest to German poets, translators and readers and that there was significantly more knowledge of and respect for Wordsworth's poetry, and interest in his ideas and beliefs, than has previously been recognised. Williams focuses particularly on the work of Friedrich Jacobsen, Ferdinand Freligrath and Marie Gothein, who span the early, middle, and late years of the century respectively and establishes the wider presence of many others translating, anthologising and commenting on Wordsworth poetry and beliefs.

There have been many attempts to explain life. For the most part they are variants on a religious or mystical theme. These provide a purpose to life but not the purpose of life. A full, rational explanation of our existence based on our rapidly accumulating scientific knowledge has eluded us - until now. The explanation of life which is offered in this book draws on three main components: evolution, genetics and psychology. However, something exists in our mind which stops us from seeing clearly what is already before us. Once this block is removed we can view life objectively and see it as a special form of information which has arisen through evolution. Information is identified as the unifying entity of the universe which is inherent in the spatial arrangement of matter. This book relates these findings to our world and our lives. It sets out in rational terms where we came from, how we got here and finally, reveals our destiny. www.thelastbook.co.uk