Search results for ""Author Karen Sullivan""

The curious paradox of romance is that, throughout its history, this genre has been dismissed as trivial and unintellectual, yet people have never ceased to flock to it with enthusiasm and even fervor. In contemporary contexts, we devour popular romance and fantasy novels like The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones, reference them in conversations, and create online communities to expound, passionately and intelligently, upon their characters and worlds. But romance is “unrealistic,” critics say, doing readers a disservice by not accurately representing human experiences. It is considered by some to be a distraction from real literature, a distraction from real life, and little more. Yet is it possible that romance is expressing a truth—and a truth unrecognized by realist genres? The Arthurian literature of the Middle Ages, Karen Sullivan argues, consistently ventriloquizes in its pages the criticisms that were being made of romance at the time, and implicitly defends itself against those criticisms. The Danger of Romance shows that the conviction that ordinary reality is the only reality is itself an assumption, and one that can blind those who hold it to the extraordinary phenomena that exist around them. It demonstrates that that which is rare, ephemeral, and inexplicable is no less real than that which is commonplace, long-lasting, and easily accounted for. If romance continues to appeal to audiences today, whether in its Arthurian prototype or in its more recent incarnations, it is because it confirms the perception—or even the hope—of a beauty and truth in the world that realist genres deny.

Read more less

An encyclopedia of natural home remedies, covering all the main healing techniques from aromatherapy to vitamin and nutritional therapies. Beautifully illustrated throughout, with comprehensive information on safe natural remedies to treat the whole family. More and more people today are turning to natural home remedies to treat all types of illness. The Complete Illustrated Guide to Natural Home Remedies is an encyclopedic treasure, providing authoritative information on the various treatments available for all common ailments. With sections on homeopathy, herbalism, aromatherapy, flower remedies and vitamin and nutritional therapies, the book is arranged so that information is easily and instantly accessible. Containing a therapeutic directory of common ailments, a list of natural remedies and their uses and properties, as well as a home medicine chest and practical first-aid tips, Karen Sullivan makes treating illness safe and easy.

Read more less

There have been numerous studies in recent decades of the medieval inquisitions, most emphasizing larger social and political circumstances and neglecting the role of the inquisitors themselves. In this volume, Karen Sullivan sheds much-needed light on these individuals and reveals that they had choices - both the choice of whether to play a part in the orthodox repression of heresy and, more frequently, the choice of whether to approach heretics with zeal or with charity. In successive chapters on key figures in the Middle Ages-Bernard of Clairvaux, Dominic Guzman, Conrad of Marburg, Peter of Verona, Bernard Gui, Bernard Delicieux, and Nicholas Eymerich - Sullivan shows that it is possible to discern each inquisitor making personal, moral choices as to what course of action he would take. All medieval clerics recognized that the church should first attempt to correct heretics through repeated admonitions and that, if these admonitions failed, it should then move toward excluding them from society. Yet more charitable clerics preferred to wait for conversion, while zealous clerics preferred not to delay too long before sending heretics to the stake. By considering not the external prosecution of heretics during the Middles Ages, but the internal motivations of the preachers and inquisitors who pursued them, as represented in their writings and in those of their peers, The Inner Lives of Medieval Inquisitors explores how it is that the most idealistic of purposes can lead to the justification of such dark ends.

Read more less

Focusing on the minutes recorded by clerics Sullivan challenges the accuracy of the transcripts. She rereads the record not as a historical personality''s words, but as a literary text from the collaboration between Joan and her interrogators.'

Read more less

The curious paradox of romance is that, throughout its history, this genre has been dismissed as trivial and unintellectual, yet people have never ceased to flock to it with enthusiasm and even fervor. In contemporary contexts, we devour popular romance and fantasy novels like The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones, reference them in conversations, and create online communities to expound, passionately and intelligently, upon their characters and worlds. But romance is “unrealistic,” critics say, doing readers a disservice by not accurately representing human experiences. It is considered by some to be a distraction from real literature, a distraction from real life, and little more. Yet is it possible that romance is expressing a truth—and a truth unrecognized by realist genres? The Arthurian literature of the Middle Ages, Karen Sullivan argues, consistently ventriloquizes in its pages the criticisms that were being made of romance at the time, and implicitly defends itself against those criticisms. The Danger of Romance shows that the conviction that ordinary reality is the only reality is itself an assumption, and one that can blind those who hold it to the extraordinary phenomena that exist around them. It demonstrates that that which is rare, ephemeral, and inexplicable is no less real than that which is commonplace, long-lasting, and easily accounted for. If romance continues to appeal to audiences today, whether in its Arthurian prototype or in its more recent incarnations, it is because it confirms the perception—or even the hope—of a beauty and truth in the world that realist genres deny.

Read more less

50 fabulous kids' cakes, cupcakes and cake pops. Kids' Birthday Cakes Step by Step is a delicious guide that takes the stress out of baking unforgettable birthday cakes to wow your child, whatever their age. Choose your child's cake from a delectable array of over 50 show-stopping cake designs, from animal cakes to sports cakes and toy cakes. Would your kid go crazy for a circus cake with matching circus animal cake pops, or would they prefer a dinosaur egg cake with miniature egg cupcakes? Whether you are making birthday cakes for girls or boys, there's something for everyone. Every cake design has visual step-by-steps making the birthday cake creating process stress-free, plus you'll be provided with themed cupcake decoration ideas and be shown how to make cake pops. You'll also be able to plan ahead with handy tips on how long the cake will take to make, build, bake and decorate so everything will be ready in time for your child's party. With Kids' Birthday Cakes Step by Step you'll be able to add the perfect finishing touches with cake-decorating techniques such as piping, moulding figures and using fondant icing, taking your child's birthday cake from average to awesome in no time.

Read more less

The ultimate guide to baking and decorating creative cakes for any occasion.From mastering the basics of cake decorating and learning how to pipe, emboss, model, and airbrush your cakes and cake pops, discover everything you need to transform a cake into a work of art!Cake and cupcake decorating have never been easier thanks to this handy cake design guide. Here's what's inside:- A dedicated cake decorating techniques chapter provides 100s of ideas for piping, stencilling, painting, and carving- Shows you how to make and use the basic key ingredients, from the perfect recipe for fondant to piping with buttercream icing and making chocolate ganache- A range of showstopping baking projects - many of which are complete with cupcakes or mini cakes variations - A complete guide to cake decorating equipment ensures you have everything you needGet the skills you need to decorate cakes like a pro with this baking book for beginners. Not only will your cakes look fabulous, but they will also taste delicious with the help of Cake Basics - a chapter dedicated to easy cake recipes such as red velvet sponge and chocolate cake. To showcase your new skills, there are 20 unique projects with designs for you to try!Filled with visual inspiration, step-by-step photography and expert advice, this cake decorating book will have you whipping up everything from intricate, filigree-piped wedding cakes to a stunning bouquet of cupcake roses in no time! It's the perfect book for beginners and keen cake decorators alike.

Read more less