Appearance
Games of Venus: An Anthology of Greek and Roman Erotic Verse from Sappho to Ovid (The New Ancient World)
Not the Olympic Games, nor the ludus. Here we have an introduction to the way Greeks and Romans faced on humanity most ancient and perilous "game"...maybe battlefield is a more appropriate definition. We're talking about Love, sexual desire and the quest to obtain them (both or just one).This is an extraordinary anthology of Greek and Roman erotic verse. But much more than that, it is a fabulous introduction on ancient customs regarding sexual life and the classical views on how they regarded sex and roles.Form the Greek symposium where erastes tried to conquer their eromenos, to the much sought hetaeras where a man should look for pleasure (and not their wives). The comparative freedom women had in the Hellenistic world (compared to classical Greece), quite obvious in contemporary verses. To the living goddesses like Ovid's Corinna or Catullus's Lesbia, loved and hated at the same time.This book provides a solid footstep for further study, with excellent footnotes, suggested reading and representative examples of Greek and Roman erotic verse. Obviously you should study a little classical history and mythology before embarking on this journey; most verses have several references to myths, legend and history.From Greece you have short biographies and excerpts from (among others): Archilochus, Alkman, Mimnermos, Sappho, Ibycus, Anacreon, Theognis, Hipponax, Pindar, Bacchylides, Hermesianax, Asclepiades, Callimachus, Theocritus, Herodas, Machon, the Grenfell papirus, , Meleager.And from Rome you will find Bios and excerpts of: Catullus, Virgil, Horace, Tibullus, Sulpicia, Propertius, Ovid.Highly recommended.
The Chariots Still Crash
More dubunking of Erich Von Daniken's hypothesis in his Chariots of the Gods. The whole controversy pro and con is probably best filed under science fiction.
Bases Loaded With History: The Story of Rickwood Field, America's Oldest Baseball Park
What juicier scenario could a baseball fan ask for than to step up to the plate with the bases loaded?; made all the more wonderful when the man at the plate delivers. This book delivers. So captivating is this slice of baseball Americana that your easy chair transforms into a box seat; your reading lamp casts the shadows of stadium lights; your carpet takes on the hues of a well-manicured field; and each page becomes a score card. There's only one complaint - like any 9-inning game, it is over too soon. But the innings described here are full of baseball history with the likes of Mays, Cobb, Paige, Ruth, and Jackson. Indeed the bases are loaded and those that have played before us have swung for the fences and our author has given us a marvelous historical play-by-play.
Falcon's Desire (Harlequin Historical, No. 645)
Rhys of Faucon's black reputation, earned for the scandal that he supposedly killed his own wife and child, is made even worse when he is charged with the murder of a peer of the realm. He is being sentenced in chains before King Stephen when the the king, a one-time ally of Faucon, decides to give him a chance to prove his innocence in this latest skullduggery. He has one month to acquit himself of Guillaume du Pree's murder, or he will be put to death for the crime.Lady Lyonesse of Taniere was betrothed to Guillaume du Pree, and, unlike a lot of romance heroines, she actually had feelings for her dead fiance who was also a childhood friend. She wants revenge on the man guilty of his death, so when she hears the dreaded Faucon is in the area, she and her guards kidnap him and take him prisoner at Taniere. At first she expects she'll simply kill him--an eye for an eye--but after meeting the so-called devil, and seeing a glimpse of his honor, she wonders if maybe there is some truth to his assertions of innocence.The two are attracted from the first, and this attraction soon turns to deeper feelings. Their passion blooms as they seek to rout out Guillaume's true killer and secret enemies arise that could prove deadly. This was a great medieval romance with plenty of wit, adventure, and sensuality. I loved it, and I highly recommend it!
Falcon's Desire (Harlequin Historical, No. 645)
I will buy all of her books when they come out. She kept me intoit sll the way through, I couldn't put it down. I love her style of writing as it is action packed and compelling and youare (at least I was) drawn totally into her caracters. Can't wait to see what her next book will be like.
Falcon's Desire (Harlequin Historical, No. 645)
Denise Lynn's first Medieval Romance in her Falcon series is a delightful find, written with great sensitivity. Rhys of Faucon is one of Anne Stuart's bad boys. He has a dreadful reputation that stems from all believing he killed his wife and child. Of course, the reader soon senses poor Rhys bears a bad rap for this evil deed. Now he stands sentenced to death for the murder of a peer of the realm. Dragged before King Stephan, another man once his allay intercedes and secures Rhys the chance to prove he is falsely accused once again. He must find out who did murder Guillaume du Pree or face his own death for the crime.Lady Lyonesse of Taniere was betrothed to the murdered Guillaume. Where Lynn shows her deft crafting of character, instead of going to the "old detested fiancé" stereotype, Lyonesse actually cared for the dead man. He was her childhood friend and she truly wants revenge for her friend's death. Naturally, she sees Rhys as responsible, so when she learns the man has been set free to find Guillaume's killer she things the knight is on a fool's errand. She sets out to kidnap him and keep him prisoner. She had planned, at the back of her mind, just killing him, but once she meets him, senses there is more to the man that the black tales that follow him, that maybe he is telling the truth about being innocent. If he didn't kill Guillaume, then who did? Attraction sizzles between the two from the starts and that reaction soon deepens into full-blown passion as they join forces to run to ground the true killer.Lynn spins a delightful tale, with a strong medieval flavour for the period. It's charming, witty, full of suspense and adventure, with two very vivid characters that stole my heart. Followed by Falcon's Desire and Falcon's Honor. Look for one more in the series to come.A Reviews International Organization Award of Excellence Winner for 2003.The whole series is highly recommended.