Showing results by author "James Gardner" in All Categories

"King Lear" is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, depicting the gradual descent into madness of the title character after he disposes of his kingdom giving bequests to two of his three daughters based on their flattery of him, bringing tragic consequences for all. The play is derived from the legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological pre-Roman Celtic king; after the English Restoration, it was often revised with a happy ending for audiences who disliked its dark and depressing tone, but since the nineteenth century, Shakespeare's original version has been regarded as one of his supreme achievements.

"The Merchant of Venice" is a 16th-century play by William Shakespeare in which a merchant in Venice must default on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender. It has been listed among Shakespeare's greatest comedies, although its tone is often dramatic. This is a detailed summary of the play, written in today's language, for all willing to acquire a greater understanding of Shakespeare's work and widen their culture.

James Gardner weaves both the brutality and the compassion of modern Africa into his thriller, The Lion Killer. His protagonist, Rhodesian war hero Rigby Croxford, is hired by the unscrupulous American litigator Max Turner to rescue his son from Congolese rebels after a peaceful safari to see the mountain gorillas turns into a bloodbath of rape and murder. Croxford is apprehensive about Max’s hidden agenda, but it’s too late to back out. The adventure has more twists than the Zambezi River with danger at every bend.

Orange County is more than beaches and sunshine — it’s one of the most haunted regions in California. Behind the postcard image lies a deep and often forgotten past. From the Wild West era of ranchos, gunfights, and stagecoaches to the modern age of suburbs, freeways, and theme parks, the county’s ghosts reflect every chapter of its dramatic transformation. In Ghosts of Orange County, Dr. James Gardner — psychologist, historian, former Mayor, and author of more than 40 books — presents the first data-driven, region-wide analysis of ghost stories across the county’s five major ...

Delve into the untold stories of America's Forgotten First Ladies with this enlightening exploration. Despite their significant contributions to the nation, 28 of the 71 First Ladies have been erased from history's narrative. Unlock the forgotten chapters of America's past and honor the unsung heroines who helped shape the nation's destiny. This ebook is specifically designed to work with the audiobook of the same name. The information in this book is taken from my book, "America's Forgotten First Ladies," and has been adapted for audio purposes. Discover the identities and legacies of ...

Hatha yoga is the branch of yoga using asanas, that is to say with an emphasis on the physical exercises aiming to bring the practitioner closer to spiritual health, mastery and enlightenment. These 100 quotes by masters and practitioners alike will help you find the right balance and inspire your physical practice with the spirituality that has always been its true goal.

"The Tragedy of Macbeth" is a play written by William Shakespeare. Set mainly in Scotland, the play illustrates the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those who seek power for its own sake. The play was most likely written during the reign of James I, who had been James VI of Scotland before he succeeded to the English throne in 1603. James was a patron of Shakespeare's acting company and of all the plays Shakespeare wrote during James's reign, "Macbeth" most clearly reflects the playwright's relationship with the sovereign.

Only days have passed since a freak accident granted four college students superhuman powers. Now Jools and her friends (who haven’t even picked out a name for their superhero team yet) get caught up in the hunt for a Mad Genius’ misplaced super-weapon. But when Jools falls in with a modern-day Robin Hood and his band of superpowered Merry Men, she finds it hard to sort out the Good Guys from the Bad Guys - and to figure out which side she truly belongs on. Especially since nobody knows exactly what the Gun does....

Award-winning author James Alan Gardner evokes a sense of wonder that is synonymous with great speculative fiction. Now, in his first short-story collection, he brings together the numerous tales that have made his reputation, ranging from the everyday experience to the cosmic, from peanut butter sandwiches to space drives. There are stories of wonder, imagination, humanity, and the unknown and tales that remind us of the importance of possibility.

Two species lived in peaceful coexistence on the planet Demoth until a deadly plague wiped out millions of the winged Ooloms while leaving humans untouched, helpless to do more than ease the suffering of their alien friends and neighbors. Faye Smallwood saw the horror firsthand, caring for the plague victims in her fahter's hospital. She was there when he discovered the cure that made him famous. She was also there when a freak accident killed him.

Have you ever been to a King Lear performance with the impression of not having understood everything? It's normal. Shakespeare's plays are the most beautiful of the theatrical repertoire, but you cannot go to a Shakespeare play if you do not have a minimum prepared this show: understand the issues, characters, context, cultural or historical references is indispensable. The same is true if you intend to read a play by William Shakespeare: our summaries will help you better understand what you have read.

"The Death of Adonis" is a fundamental part of Greek mythology and one of its most touching stories. Accidentally wounded by one of Eros' arrows, the goddess Aphrodite falls desperately in love with the handsome Adonis, son of a king and a beauty among mortals. Yet his only passion is hunting and he refuses to take her warnings seriously when he hears about a great boar he would love to slay. There is something of the idea of coming of age in this tale, when the moment of realisation brings forth the understanding of what could have been and where the real beauty lays.

Discover the Enigmatic World of Panama's Spirits and Ghosts Step into the mystique of Panama with this captivating guide to its supernatural realm. Ghosts and Spirits of Panama unveils nearly 100 spirits and ghosts, weaving their haunting tales within the rich tapestry of Panama's history and culture. This expanded second edition features 45 location maps tracing spectral density and terrain-based hauntings, over 60 illustrations, many original, capturing the eerie and the sublime, and comparative folklore linking Panama’s spirits to global traditions. Explore how Panama’s unique ...

"King Kojata" is a Slavonic fairy tale. A king and a queen had no children. One day, the king was travelling and grew thirsty. He found a spring with a cup floating in it. He did not succeed at trying to grab the cup: it always evaded his hands. When he dropped to drink directly, a creature in the well grabbed his beard and would not free him until he promised to give it something he knew nothing about, and which he would find on his return home.

Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) was an Italian explorer, navigator, and colonizer. Born in the Republic of Genoa under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. Those voyages and his efforts to establish settlements on the island of Hispaniola initiated the permanent European colonization of the New World. At a time when European kingdoms were beginning to establish new trade routes and colonies, motivated by imperialism and economic competition, Columbus proposed to reach the East Indies (South and Southeast Asia) by sailing westward.

Magical Embrace is the spellbinding first installment in the Urban Magic series, a multi-book journey brimming with high-stakes adventure, explosive twists, and a whirlwind of emotions. This fast-paced narrative draws listeners into a world where the line between love and survival blurs, leaving you breathless and yearning for more.

In the shadow of their father's legacy, Del, Sharon, Elizabeth, and Vivian Kyle find themselves standing at a crossroads, facing the most heart-wrenching decisions life could ever bestow upon them. Their bonds, once unbreakable, are strained as they are compelled to make choices that demand the ultimate sacrifices. Yet, their destinies are inextricably linked to the very survival of the Magical Communities, and they carry the weight of that responsibility upon their shoulders.

Elizabeth Petrovna was the Empress of Russia from 1741 until her death. She led the country during the War of Austrian Succession (1740-48) and the Seven Years' War (1756-63), left her mark on the service of nobility, the establishment of the Univeresidy of Moscow and the Imperial Academy of Arts; she remains one of the most popular Russian monarchs due to her strong opposition to Prussian policies and her decision not to execute a single person during her reign.

The myth of King Midas is a cautionary tale about the dangers of believing that gold should be coveted above all things, and the foolishness of wishing without thinking. It appeared in Ovid's "Metamorphosis", and has inspired many works of art and literature through the centuries. This is a retelling of the complete tale of "The King with the Golden Touch", from the Gordian knot to the ears of an ass, in great detail and with an elegant style that will edify children and adults alike.

Catherine the Great was Empress of Russia from 1762 until 1796, the country's longest-ruling female leader. She came to power following a coup d'état when her husband, Peter III, was assassinated. Under her reign, Russia was revitalised; it grew larger and stronger, and was recognised as one of the great powers of Europe. Discover the life and struggles of one of the most influential rulers through this precise, clear and thorough presentation.