Refinements Of Love

"Although rooted in history, Refinements of Love is a novel of mystery and elegance and powerful fascination. Neither history nor Henry Adams ever revealed the truth about the strange death in 1885 of Adams's wife, Clover, in their home on Lafayette Square, within walking distance of the White House." "In his classic autobiography. The Education of Henry Adams, this grandson and great-grandson of presidents did not even mention his wife's name or discuss the years of their marriage. Yet Clover Adams's death from poison was a notorious Washington scandal." "The Adamses were at the center of society in the nation's capital; both politicians and literati coveted invitations to their famous salon. Clover's sudden death shocked her contemporaries and continues to fascinate people more than a hundred years later. In a sparkling and dramatic blend of fact and fiction, Sarah Booth Conroy recreates the strange life and mysterious death of Clover Adams and comes up with an astonishing theory regarding its cause." "Secretary of State John Hay called Clover a "bright, intrepid spirit" with "a keen, fine intellect." And he praised her "lofty scorn of all that was mean" and her "social charm" that made the Adamses' home "such a one as Washington never knew before..." Henry James, novelist and friend, declared her "a Voltaire in petticoats." Was Clover's "touch of genius," as James called it, in an age when women's independence was corseted by social custom, responsible for her death?" "In Conroy's enchanting novel of Washington during the Gilded Age, the grand houses, opulent balls, and great art collections form a glittering veneer that masks a dark and sinister reality."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Pepita Jiménez depicts the gradual realization by a young seminarian of the empty vanity of his vocation, while he falls in love on the eve of his ordination. The novel gives a view of rural life in the Andalusian region of Spain. The story touches on themes of physical versus spiritual love and finding one's true path in life.

The most engaging collection of the French mystics’ writings now available Twenty-first century Christians are now discovering the wisdom of this controversial theologian and spiritual thinker. Fénelon showed how it was possible to have devotion and faith in the original Age of Reason. In many respects, rationality still rules today in religion and culture, and as a result, Fénelon speaks to modern Christians wanting deeper faith and a meaningful inner life. His writings have never been as accessible as they are now in these lively new translations. The Complete Fénelon includes more than one hundred of Fénelon’s letters of spiritual counsel, as well as meditations on eighty-five other topics. Also translated here into English for the first time are Fénelon’s personal reflections on twenty-one seasons and holidays of the Christian year. An introduction from bestselling translator Robert J. Edmonson and in-depth recommended reading and bibliography make this the first place to start in any study of Francois Fénelon.

The Complete Harvard Classics - ALL 71 Volumes, stands as a monumental anthology that embarks on an epic journey through the annals of world literature, philosophy, and science. This collection is distinguished by its diverse array of literary styles, embracing works from ancient tracts to the prose of the Enlightenment and the poetry of the Romantic era. The anthology skillfully intertwines the dynamics of literary form, thematic depth, and historical context, offering readers an unparalleled vista into human thought and creativity. Among its pages, standout pieces across civilizations and centuries coalesce, forming a dialogue that transcends temporal and geographical boundaries, reflective of editor Charles W. Eliot's vision of a comprehensive 'five-foot shelf' of books that could serve as a good education in itself. The contributing authors and editors, ranging from Homer to Shakespeare, and Darwin to Tolstoy, present a tapestry rich with the intellectual and cultural movements that have shaped human history. This anthology not only mirrors the evolution of literature and thought but also encapsulates the spirit of the periods from which these titans hailed. Their collective works, diverse in origin yet unified in their exploration of human experience, provide insight into the notions of identity, morality, and society. The anthology stands as a testament to the enduring nature of their contributions, aligning with various historical, cultural, and literary movements and fostering a deeper appreciation for the multiplicity of human expression. The Complete Harvard Classics - ALL 71 Volumes is not merely a collection to be admired from afar but is a vibrant invitation to immerse oneself in the wealth of knowledge and emotion captured within its pages. It beckons scholars, students, and curious minds alike to delve into its depths, offering an educational journey that is as profound as it is expansive. This anthology facilitates a dialogue with the minds of great thinkers and artists across ages, providing a unique opportunity to explore the landscape of human culture and intellect. Engaging with this collection is to partake in an ongoing conversation about the values, questions, and understandings that continue to shape our world.

Includes, beginning Sept. 15, 1954 (and on the 15th of each month, Sept.-May) a special section: School library journal, ISSN 0000-0035, (called Junior libraries, 1954-May 1961). Also issued separately.