Discover the timeless charm and cultural significance of folk music with "The Fiddlers" by Arthur Mee. This engaging work takes you on a journey through the history and influence of the fiddle, exploring its role in shaping communities, traditions, and stories passed down through generations. But here's a question to ponder: How did such a humble instrument come to define the spirit and identity of countless cultures around the world? Arthur Mee vividly brings to life the role of fiddlers as storytellers and keepers of tradition, revealing how the melodies they played resonated far beyond the notes. Through short, compelling chapters, Mee traces the origins and evolution of the fiddle, shining a light on the impact of these musicians in preserving and transmitting folk heritage. "The Fiddlers" is more than just a celebration of music—it's a tribute to the cultural legacy of those who played, entertained, and inspired. Mee’s captivating narrative invites you to explore how the fiddle, often considered a simple instrument, became a symbol of resilience, creativity, and communal bonds. Are you ready to uncover the rich history behind the music that has enchanted listeners for centuries? This book will pull you into a world where music tells the stories of the past and connects generations in a shared experience of melody and tradition. Will you join the dance of history and music by delving into the legacy of "The Fiddlers"? Pick up your copy of "The Fiddlers" today and let the music of history play on.

Step into the enchanting world of Arthur Shepherd's "The Fiddlers," a captivating tale of music, magic, and the power of the human spirit. Prepare to be transported to a realm where melodies hold the key to unlocking hidden wonders and discovering the true meaning of friendship. Join the extraordinary journey of "The Fiddlers" as they traverse the mystical landscapes of Shepherd's imagination, weaving melodies that captivate the hearts and minds of all who hear them. Through Shepherd's lyrical prose, readers are swept away on a magical adventure filled with wonder and possibility. Themes of creativity, friendship, and the transformative power of music permeate "The Fiddlers," offering readers a glimpse into the profound connections that bind us together across time and space. Shepherd's evocative storytelling invites readers to explore the depths of their own imaginations and rediscover the joy of simple pleasures. Characterized by its lyrical beauty and heartfelt emotion, "The Fiddlers" enchants readers with its richly drawn characters and vivid descriptions. Shepherd's evocative prose paints a portrait of a world where music is the language of the soul, and friendship is the greatest treasure of all. Since its publication, "The Fiddlers" has captivated readers with its timeless themes and enchanting storytelling. Shepherd's homage to the power of music continues to resonate with audiences of all ages, reminding us of the magic that surrounds us each day. As you lose yourself in the melodies of "The Fiddlers," you'll be reminded of the transformative power of music to uplift the spirit and bring people together. Shepherd's timeless tale is a celebration of the human capacity for wonder and the beauty that surrounds us in the world. Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of "The Fiddlers." Let Arthur Shepherd's enchanting tale whisk you away on a journey of discovery and adventure, where music holds the key to unlocking hidden wonders and forging lasting friendships. Grab your copy now and join the chorus of readers who have been enchanted by this timeless classic.

"My goal in life has been the same from the beginning: to become a Cape Breton fiddle player. And if you were to ask someone on the street who Ashley MacIsaac is, I think probably quite a few would describe me as just that -- although some would probably insist on tacking on a few extra things, like crazy Cape Breton fiddle player, or gay Cape Breton fiddle player, or stoned Cape Breton fiddle player -- or crazy-gay-stoned Cape Breton fiddle player. I can't complain though, as long as they add the fiddle player part." So begins this often hilarious, often brutally honest autobiography. Celtic-punk musician Ashley MacIsaac hails from the tiny village of Creignish on rural Cape Breton Island, the Eastern-most region of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia -- one of the most remote and impoverished regions on the continent. This being said, Cape Breton is also the home of a vibrant Scottish and Celtic music scene known to fans of this style of music the world over. Famous as a child, MacIsaac was, by 17, living in New York City, working with composer Phillip Glass, and earning $1,000 a week -- a long way from Creignish. By his mid-20s, MacIsaac had appeared on The Conan O'Brien Show (famously scissor-kicking in a kilt during his performance to reveal exactly what a Scotsman does wear underneath), had toured North America with the Chieftains to standing ovations and rave reviews, and had several major label releases with sales in the hundreds of thousands. His image of a combat-booted, kilt wearing Celtic punk -- as comfortable with a Ramones song as with a traditional reel -- was widely recognizable. From this point things begin to unravel. An unfortunate sequence of interviews andappearances had thrust his unconventional sexuality into the public eye and also -- highlighted by bizarre and unpredictable public behavior -- his addiction to crack cocaine and his penchant for marijuana. He bounces through various record labels -- each one less prominent than the last -- flirts with bankruptcy, insults audiences, loses his house to fire, and is arrested for marijuana possession. By the summer of 2000 he hits bottom. Broke, suffering from severe substance abuse, and unmanageable -- he has literally been spit out of the industry that used him up by the age of 26. This book spells out MacIsaac's tale with bleak humor and equally bleak honesty. The result is a riveting read. Today Ashley MacIsaac is on the mend. A new record deal and an upcoming new release, an autobiography set to be published, and tour plans for North America for spring '03 all signal a return to the vibrant creativity of his past.

North American Fiddle Music: A Research and Information Guide is the first large-scale annotated bibliography and research guide on the fiddle traditions of the United States and Canada. These countries, both of which have large immigrant populations as well as Native populations, have maintained fiddle traditions that, while sometimes faithful to old-world or Native styles, often feature blended elements from various traditions. Therefore, researchers of the fiddle traditions in these two countries can not only explore elements of fiddling practices drawn from various regions of the world, but also look at how different fiddle traditions can interact and change. In addition to including short essays and listings of resources about the full range of fiddle traditions in those two countries, it also discusses selected resources about fiddle traditions in other countries that have influenced the traditions in the United States and Canada.

Roman Disasters looks at how the Romans coped with, thought about, and used disasters for their own ends. Rome has been famous throughout history for its great triumphs. Yet Rome also suffered colossal disasters. From the battle of Cannae, where fifty thousand men fell in a single day, to the destruction of Pompeii, to the first appearance of the bubonic plague, the Romans experienced large scale calamities.Earthquakes, fires, floods and famines also regularly afflicted them. This insightful book is the first to treat such disasters as a conceptual unity. It shows that vulnerability to disasters was affected by politics, social status, ideology and economics. Above all, it illustrates how the resilience of their political and cultural system allowed the Romans to survive the impact of these life-threatening events. The book also explores the important role disaster narratives played in Christian thought and rhetoric. Engaging and accessible, Roman Disasters will be enjoyed by students and general readers alike.

Are we doomed? As individuals, certainly, eventually, inevitably. But as a species? As a civilization? Leading catastrophe engineer Michel Bruneau thinks perhaps not. The Blessings of Disaster draws on knowledge from multiple disciplines to illustrate how our civilization’s future successes and failures in dealing with societal threats—be they pandemics, climate change, overpopulation, monetary collapse, and nuclear holocaust—can be predicted by observing how we currently cope with and react to natural and technological disasters. Maybe most importantly, this entertaining and often counter-intuitive book shows how we can think in better ways about disasters, to strengthen and extend our existence as both individuals and as a species. When it comes to rare extreme events, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornados, volcanic eruptions, technological accidents, terrorist attacks, pandemics, and even existential threats, it is in our nature to set ourselves up for disasters because the gamble may be worth it. But only maybe. The Blessing of Disaster is the very real story of the relationship between humans and disasters – and it’s not a simple one. Bringing together his decades-long career spanning the globe as an earthquake and disaster engineer, detailed catastrophe case studies from extreme events like Japan’s Kobe earthquake and category 5 hurricanes in the American South, along with thoughtful and practical solutions, Bruneau provides a thorough examination of the structural challenges that face today’s (and tomorrow’s) world. How we cope with today’s threats is indicative of what the future holds. Contrary to popular forecasts, it is not all gloom and doom – but some of it definitely is.

Urban Disasters and Resilience in Asia presents the latest information on the intensity and frequency of disasters. Specifically, the fact that, in urban areas, more than 50% of the world's population is living on just 2% of the land surface, with most of these cities located in Asia and developing countries that have high vulnerability and intensification. The book offers an in-depth and multidisciplinary approach to reducing the impact of disasters by examining specific evidence from events in these areas that can be used to develop best practices and increase urban resilience worldwide. As urban resilience is largely a function of resilient and resourceful citizens, building cities which are more resilient internally and externally can lead to more productive economic returns. In an era of rapid urbanization and increasing disaster risks and vulnerabilities in Asian cities, Urban Disasters and Resilience in Asia is an invaluable tool for policy makers, researchers, and practitioners working in both public and private sectors. - Explores a broad range of aspects of disaster and urban resiliency, including environmental, economic, architectural, and engineering factors - Bridges the gap between urban resilience and rural areas and community building - Provides evidence-based data that can lead to improved disaster resiliency in urban Asia - Focuses on Asian cities, some of the most densely populated areas on the planet, where disasters are particularly devastating