Search results for ""author norman taylor""

Controversy continues between the supporters of the Book of the Common Prayer and its rival, the Alternative Service Book. People have been known to drive miles to find a service that still uses the former. In this book, Norman Taylor has produced an anthology of passages from English literature that include a reference to the Book of Common Prayer. The Prayer Book has always had an enduring significance for authors from all over the English-speaking world, as much for the beauty of its language, as for its importance to their spiritual life. Combining humour and a passion for his subject, Norman Taylor has selected passages from the novels, autobiographies, poems and letters of authors as diverse as James Boswell, G.K. Chesterton, Margaret Mitchell, Alan Paton, Thomas Hardy and Stevie Smith. Lovers of anthologies will find much material for further reading and will also have their appetites whetted by extracts from lesser known authors such as Charles Williams and Priscilla Napier. Arranged in chapters according to the order of services, the author takes us through the Prayer Book from Matins to Forms of Prayer to be used at Sea. The whole is punctuated by three essay interludes discussing the history of the Prayer Book itself, the place of music in Anglican worship and the shape of Morning and Evening Prayer. The epilogue concludes with a discussion of the challenges by the increasing preferences of many clergymen for the Alternative Service Book.

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There are those who say that the Reverend Sydney Smith ought to be made a saint of the Church of England. There are those who say that he jested away his chances of a mitre. There are those who simply read him and laugh. Sydney Smith was not only a humorist. He was a respected clergyman who worked steadily for Roman Catholic emancipation despite his own staunch Anglicanism. In 1802 he helped to found The Edinburgh Review, which became one of the most powerful journals in Britain. Lord Macaulay referred to him as The Smith of Smiths. Jane Austen is thought to have based Henry Tilner in Northanger Abbey on him. G. K. Chesterton was another of his admirers. This book gathers together a selection of Smith's own writings together with extracts from his daughter's biography of him. Arranged thematically, the passages deal with Home and Abroad, Politics, Social Evils, Education, Religion, and Health and Happiness. As well as Sydney's renowned wit, the collection enshrines the wisdom of a man of enormous common sense and the preaching of an eloquent orator. We discover the sloth, who 'moves suspended, rests suspended, sleeps suspended, and passes his life in suspense - like a young clergyman distantly related to a bishop'. We meet the bishop who deserved to be preached to death by wild curates. But most of all, we enjoy the company of a man determined that as long as I can possibly avoid it I will never be unhappy. The amusing defender of our faith described a friend's idea of heaven as eating pate de foie gras to the sound of trumpets. His present-day admirers may disagree, finding their ideal of heaven in reading this wonderfully entertaining book.

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Day Walks in the Peak District – 20 classic circular routes features 20 circular walks, between 8.25 and 12 miles (13 and 19.5 kilometres) in length, suitable for hillwalkers of all abilities.The routes are split into three areas – The High Moors, Hills Tors and Edges and Limestone Country – and feature walks around some of the most wild and beautiful places in the Peak District National Park, including; Alport Castles, Back Tor and Derwent Edge, the Monsal Trail through Chee Dale, the Kinder Edges, Chatsworth, Stanage Moor, The Roaches, Lathkill Dale, Chrome Hill, Cressbrook Dale, Wolfscote Dale and Dove Dale.Researched and written by local hillwalkers, Norman Taylor and Barry Pope, each route features clear and easy to use Ordnance Survey maps, easy-to-follow directions, details of distance, navigation information, refreshment stops and local knowledge. The book is illustrated with stunning location photography, and also features a detailed Appendix.

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Day Walks in the Peak District: 20 new circular routes features 20 circular walks, between 8 and 13 miles (14km and 21km) in length, suitable for hillwalkers of all abilities. The routes are split into three geographical areas – The High Moors, including the Kinder plateau and Bleaklow; Hills, Tors and Edges, including walks around the Eastern Edges such as Stanage and Burbage; and Limestone Country, with walks in the beautiful limestone dales and valleys of the Peak. Written by Peak District hillwalkers Norman Taylor and Barry Pope, each route features Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps, easy-to-follow directions, details of distance and navigation information, and refreshment stops and local information.

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