An intriguing nineteenth century historical mystery. July, 1829. When a female corpse, dressed in male clothing, is discovered lying in a haystack in the Worcestershire countryside, rumor and superstition abound. For the sighting of a man in white robes fleeing from the scene leads to suspicion that the “Devil’s Monk” is responsible for the crime. According to local legend, this vengeful apparition appears at intervals to molest and kill. Constable Thomas Potts is dismissive of the rumors—but without knowing the victim’s identity, he’ll need the devil’s own luck to catch her killer. And when a second body turns up, Potts is under pressure to track down the murderer before hysteria engulfs the town.
Britain in the tenth century was a dangerous place for books and wisdom, for the waves of Viking invaders had no use for scholars, destroying the libraries along with the buildings that held them and those who lived there. The Saxon King Alfred was ailing of a mystery disease that none had so far been able to cure. As he weakened, so his plans for a peaceful and united country came under increasing threat. It was a time of intrigue, treachery, blunt politics, deceit and cunning, where killing was a skill possibly more valued than healing, and a man who knew how to make one look like the other would always be in mortal danger. Bald’s plan of peaceful retirement would be shaken to the core as circumstances, Fate, God or gods set him on his travels again.
The manager who shepherded Van Halen from obscurity to rock stardom goes behind the scenes to tell the complete, unadulterated story of David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, and the legendary band that changed rock music. Van Halen’s rise in the 1980s was one of the most thrilling the music world had ever seen—their mythos an epic party, a sweaty, sexy, never-ending rock extravaganza. During this unparalleled run of success, debauchery, and drama, no one was closer to the band than Noel Monk. A man who’d worked with some of rock’s biggest and most notorious names, Monk spent seven years with Van Halen, serving first as their tour manger then as their personal manager until 1985, when both he and David Lee Roth exited as controversy, backstabbing, and disappointment consumed the band. Throughout Van Halen’s meteoric rise and abrupt halt, this confidant, fixer, friend, and promoter saw it all and lived to tell. Now, for the first time, he shares the most outrageous escapades—from their coming of age to their most shocking behavior on the road; from Eddie’s courtship and high profile wedding to Valerie Bertinelli to the incredible drug use which would ultimately lead to everyone’s demise. Sharing never-before-told stories, Monk paints a compelling portrait of Eddie Van Halen, bringing into focus the unique combination of talent, vision, hardship, and naiveté that shaped one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time—and made him and his brother vulnerable to the trappings and failings of fame. Illustrated with dozens of rare photographs from Monk’s vaults, Runnin’ with the Devil is manna from rock heaven no Van Halen fan can miss.
In the mid-seventies, the Sex Pistols, the most controversial rock-and-roll band ever, erupted out of London, offending everyone from members of Parliament to the rock establishment it sought to unseat. With its raw, anarchic sounds, aura of sex and violence, outrageous behavior, and concerts that frequently degenerated into near-riots, the band changed the rules of rock-and-roll forever. Add to that the early death of band member Sid Vicious, by heroin overdose, and you have all the ingredients for a legend. In January 1978, the Sex Pistols came to the United States for a twelve-day tour, mostly of cities in the Deep South. 12 Days on the Road is an extraordinary moment-by-moment re-creation of that wild adventure by Noel E. Monk, the Sex Pistols' American tour manager, and veteran journalist Jimmy Guterman. Here is a sensational, "explosive chapter in the history of rock" (Booklist) that is also "a touching and improbable tale of innocence and exploitation" (Kirkus Reviews).
In this finely written study of demonology and Christian spirituality in fourth- and fifth-century Egypt, David Brakke examines how the conception of the monk as a holy and virtuous being was shaped by the combative encounter with demons. Drawing on biographies of exceptional monks, collections of monastic sayings and stories, letters from ascetic teachers to their disciples, sermons, and community rules, Brakke crafts a compelling picture of the embattled religious celibate.
The objective of this effort is to bring together the thoughts and anecdotes from history's greatest minds regarding the issues confounding many Christians. Within this volume are an array of topics, which begin with the letters A thru D. The responses, admonition and precepts presented within these pages are unlike anything preciously published. What you are holding is the wisdom of various monks from the begging of the Christian Era down to modern times. This work is the advice of monks to other fellow monks and those who came for advice. Within these pages are assembled by topic, various issues which have been handed down as the premier advice regarding a topic. This is the first of its kind in print today, and is also the first volume of a larger collection of four. This effort is an admirable addition to the "Monastic Series" as well as anyone's library. This effort is configured to create a bridge from one era to another and dismiss some new-age concepts about an old ideal life style and vocations.
A modern critical biography of Matthew Gregory Lewis (1775-1818), until now neglected as a cultural figure. This is the first study to consider all of Lewis's works and their connections to his personal and public life.
