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The acclaimed, definitive biography of one of the most influential figures of our time is now in paperback! This intimate portrait of the Pope sheds light on how his history--and very Polishness--has shaped both his pragmatism and mysticism. Szulc also reveals many aspects of his life that have never before come to light.
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
For personal use only.
All rights reserved.

Description not available.
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
For personal use only.
All rights reserved.

Description not available.
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
For personal use only.
All rights reserved.

The play takes place at the summer solstice, Midsummer Eve, in Athens, where everyone is pining away for the wrong person--except Theseus, the Duke, and his fiancee, Hippolyta, whose wedding day is fast approaching. Hermia, the Duke's daughter, is intent on marrying Lysander, although her father disapproves and threatens to force her into a nunnery if she refuses to marry his choice, Demetrius. But Demetrius loves Helena, and Lysander and Hermia plan to elope despite the Duke's orders. Meanwhile, in a subplot, the rude mechanicals (or artisans) Quince, Snug, Flute, Snout, Starveling, and Bottom, are hilariously rehearsing the play PYRAMUS AND THISBE to be performed at the Duke's wedding. As Hermia and Lysander head into the Forest of Arden to elope, with Helena and Demetrius following, the amateur acting troupe likewise takes cover in the forest to rehearse in privacy. This leads all the players into the realm of magic, presided over by the King and Queen of the Fairies, Oberon and Titania. When Oberon decides to play a trick on Titania with the aid of the juice of a magic flower that causes people to fall in love with the first person (or beast) they set eyes on, the real trouble starts. The magic is used liberally on both the humans and the fairies by the trouble-making sprite Puck, inspiring many incongruous entanglements. Unlike the other plays, there is in this case no known source for Shakespeare's fantastic plot, though the structure is classical, beginning in the court, moving to an uncivilized environment, and then returning to the newly ordered world of the court. Aspects of the imagery are drawn from classic works, such as Apuleius's THE GOLDEN ASS and Ovid's METAMORPHOSES. From evidence in the play, like Titania's remark about three unusually unpleasant summers in a row--documented elsewhere in England's records--composition seems to date from 1595 or 1596, and scholarship suggests that it was first performed in honor of a court wedding, though precis...

Four brave children, accompanied by their intrepid father and the family dog, go out on a bear hunt. Along the way they encounter such obstacles as a deep, cold river; thick, oozy mud; and a swirling, whirling snowstorm--all of which they manage to overcome. Finally, they reach a narrow, gloomy cave where they find what they've been seeking: a big, furry bear. However, encountering a bear isn't as pleasant as they all imagined it would be, so the family quickly turns around and makes the trip back home--this time with the bear hot on their trail. This picture book version of the traditional chant is full of sounds to exaggerate when reading it aloud, from the Squelch squerch of feet plodding through mud to the Hoooo woooo! of the fierce snowstorm. B&W drawings illustrate the parts of the story where the family encounters an obstacle, while watercolor illustrations depict how the family cheerfully overcomes these roadblocks--as well as their fast trip back home.
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
For personal use only.
All rights reserved.