Winner of the 2019 Minnesota Book Award for Minnesota Nonfiction The stirring story of the reform movement that laid the groundwork for a modern mental health system in Minnesota In 1940 Engla Schey, the daughter of Norwegian immigrants, took a job as a low-paid attendant at Anoka State Hospital, one of Minnesota’s seven asylums. She would work among people who were locked away under the shameful label “insane,” called inmates—and numbered more than 12,000 throughout the state. She acquired the knowledge and passion that would lead to “The Crusade for Forgotten Souls,” a campaign to reform the deplorable condition of mental institutions in Minnesota. This book chronicles that remarkable undertaking inspired and carried forward by ordinary people under the political leadership of Luther Youngdahl, a Swedish Republican who was the state’s governor from 1946 to 1951. Susan Bartlett Foote tells the story of those who made the crusade a success: Engla Schey, the catalyst; Reverend Arthur Foote, a modest visionary who guided Unitarians to constructive advocacy; Genevieve Steefel, an inveterate patient activist; and Geri Hoffner, an intrepid reporter whose twelve-part series for the Minneapolis Tribune galvanized the public. These reformers overcame barriers of class, ethnicity, and gender to stand behind the governor, who, at a turbulent moment in Minnesota politics, challenged his own party’s resistance to reform. The Crusade for Forgotten Souls recounts how these efforts broke the stigma of shame and silence surrounding mental illness, publicized the painful truth about the state’s asylums, built support among citizens, and resulted in the first legislative steps toward a modern mental health system that catapulted Minnesota to national leadership and empowered families of the mentally ill and disabled. Though their vision met resistance, the accomplishments of these early advocates for compassionate care of the mentally ill hold many lessons that resonate to this day, as this book makes compellingly clear.

Esteemed photographer David Maisel has created a somber and beautiful series of images depicting canisters containing the cremated remains of the unclaimed dead from an Oregon psychiatric hospital. Dating back as far as the nineteenth century, these canisters have undergone chemical reactions, causing extravagant blooms of brilliant white, green, and blue corrosion, revealing unexpected beauty in the most unlikely of places. This stately volume is both a quietly astonishing body of fine art from a preeminent contemporary photographer, and an exceptionally poignant monument to the unknown deceased.

The author has recorded the inscriptions on all 8000 graves in the HK Cemetery. These by the way will be available in due course as an on-line database through the Hong Kong Memory project. She has selected, from the graves she has recorded, a wide range of people whose lives shed light on the nature of society in Hong Kong. Inevitably as this was the 'Colonial' cemetery, they are predominantly Europeans, although there are numerous Chinese and a surprising number of Japanese too. She has then sought out information on these people from contemporary newspapers, land records, court records etc to provide a rich description of life in Hong Kong during the first 100 years approximately from its colonization and a wonderful series of anecdotes. Patricia Limhas lived in Hong Kong for more than thirty years and is married to a Chinese. She studied at Cambridge University and had a long and happy career teaching English, History and Latin in various schools and bringing up a family of three daughters. On her retirement from teaching she decided to try to bring the often hard to find heritage of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories to the attention of a wider public by publishing two books of walks. This book followed on from the second book. When gathering material for a walk round the cemeteries of Happy Valley, the old, silent, granite monuments and headstones sparked a keen interest in the lives of the forgotten people who lay buried in Hong Kong Cemetery. "Patricia Lim turns a tour of the Cemetery into a tantalizing historical journey, rediscovering the many individuals whose lives - even the most fleeting and obscure - reflect significant developments and provide a nuanced understanding of Hong Kong's past. A solid database and a riveting good read - a winning combination!" -- Elizabeth Sinn, University of Hong Kong

In the vast kingdom of Mount Olympus, where the gods reigned with power and splendor, a child was born. His name was Hades and he was destined for a life no one could imagine. From the beginning, Hades was neglected by his parents, Kronos and Rhea. While his siblings, Zeus and Poseidon, reveled in their parents' affection, Hades was left to his own devices. No one understood the darkness that resided within Hades, the deep desire for a connection that was denied him. As he grew up, he found solace in the shadows, seeking solace in the dark corners of the world. But Hades wasn't just hiding in the darkness. He desired power, a force that would make others tremble. And so he set his sights on the realm of the dead, a place where he could reign supreme. Driven by his ambition, Hades immersed himself in ancient texts and acquired forbidden knowledge. He learned the secrets of death and became the ruler of the underworld, ruling over a kingdom filled with lost souls. Yet, despite his new power, Hades remained afflicted by the loneliness that had tormented him since his childhood. He longed for companionship, for someone who could understand the depths of his soul. One day, while traveling the mortal world, Hades came across a grieving girl named Persephone. Her beauty captivated him and he knew she was the one he had always been looking for. Their meeting was not without consequences, because Hades, overwhelmed by his desire, decided to make Persephone his queen of the underworld. He kidnapped her, to the great dismay of his mother, Demeter, goddess of the harvest. But this is only the beginning of the story of Hades. His journey from neglected child to lord of the dead is only unfolding. The road ahead is strewn with pitfalls, strewn with challenges and unexpected revelations. As Hades navigates the complex world of gods and mortals, he will discover forgotten secrets and face unimaginable trials. Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the story of Hades is far from over. One day, while Hades was wandering the vast halls of the Underworld, a mysterious figure caught his attention. It was a young girl, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Hades, always attracted to those who ventured into his domain, approached her cautiously. "Who are you?" » he asked in his deep, resonant voice. The girl trembled but managed to find her voice. "I...I'm Echo," she replied, her words barely audible. Hades frowned, not recognizing his name. Echo shook her head, her voice growing louder. “No, Lord Hades. I came for help.” Hades leaned in, intrigued by her courage. Echo took a deep breath. “My voice, my Lord. It was stolen from me by an evil nymph named Narcissus. I cannot speak, only repeat the words of others. Hades' eyes widened in understanding. He had heard stories about Narcissus, the nymph known for her beauty and cruel heart. His punishment had silenced Echo forever. Empathy awoke in Hades, a feeling he had rarely felt. “I see,” he said softly. “And how do you want me to help you?” Echo looked up at him, pleading with his gaze. “Please, My Lord, use your power over the dead to reclaim my stolen voice. Without that, I am just a simple echo. Hades hesitated for a moment, considering the request. The Underworld was his realm and he had never used his powers for anything other than his own desires. But something in Echo's plea touched a long-forgotten part of his soul. “Very well,” Hades decided, surprising himself with his own generosity. “I will help you get back what is rightfully yours.” A glimmer of hope shone in Echo's eyes as she watched Hades summon his dark minions. They slipped through the cold, dark corridors, searching for the elusive nymph. Days turned into weeks as Hades and Echo tirelessly searched for Narcissus and his stolen treasures. They encountered countless challenges, but their determination never wavered. Finally, one full moon night, they found themselves in front of Narcissus, hypnotized by his own reflection in a pool of water. Hades, fueled by a new sense of justice, demanded that she return Echo's voice. Narcisse sneered, his voice brimming with arrogance. “Why should I give up such a precious prize? It is only a simple echo, without consequences. Hades' eyes flashed with fury. With a wave of his hand, he cast a spell on Narcissus, trapping her in her own reflection for eternity. Turning to Echo, Hades reached out and gently placed his hand on her throat. At that moment, a surge of power coursed through him, restoring his stolen voice. Echo gasped, feeling her vocal cords come back to life. Speechless with joy, Echo threw her arms around Hades in a grateful embrace. In that embrace, something changed within Hades, a feeling he had never felt before – the warmth of true connection. As they stood there, Hades and Echo realized that this unexpected encounter had changed them both. For Hades, this meant discovering the power of compassion, and for Echo, it meant finding her voice and a new sense of purpose. Little did they know that their paths would continue to intertwine, leading to unforeseen consequences and an unbreakable bond in the realm of the dead. In the vast darkness of the Underworld, Hades and Echo wandered the shadowed halls. Echo's voice, once stolen and silenced, now filled the air with its soft but enchanting tones. Hades found comfort in her presence and enjoyed the company he craved. As they walked, Echo shared bits of her past. She revealed that she was once a nymph, blessed with a voice capable of captivating any mortal or deity. However, her heart had been stolen by Narcisse, a vain and self-centered young man who only cared about his reflection. In her desperation to win his affection, she found herself entangled in a curse that silenced her voice, leaving her unable to express her true feelings. Hades, hearing Echo's story, felt a pang in his heart. He knew all too well the pain of loneliness and the pain of unrequited love. Despite his newfound power, there was still a void within him that needed to be filled. Determined to help Echo, Hades suggested they venture into the realm of the living. Thanks to his domination over the dead, he possessed the ability to cross the threshold that separated the worlds. Echo hesitated, unsure of what the living world had in store for her, but her curiosity eventually won out over her fear. Together they entered the land of the living, emerging into a meadow bathed in golden sunlight. Echo, accustomed to the shadows of the Underworld, shielded her eyes from the brightness, marveling at the beauty that surrounded her. As they walked through the vibrant landscape, Hades noticed Echo's reflection in a pond. It was as if her beauty and grace had been captured in that fleeting moment. A smile touched his lips, realizing the irony of his curse. Echo could no longer hear her own voice, but now she could see her true essence reflected back at her. Caught up in the moment, Hades found himself equally fascinated by Echo's reflection. Something stirred inside him, a feeling he couldn't explain. It was as if Echo sparked a warmth in his heart, a warmth he had long forgotten existed. But their peaceful interlude was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Demeter, Persephone's mother. Demeter's eyes widened in fury upon seeing Hades. She accused him of kidnapping Persephone, without realizing the choice her daughter had voluntarily made. Hades tried to explain, but his words fell on deaf ears. In her anger, Demeter invoked her powers, causing the meadow to wither and die. The once vibrant flowers withered under his wrath. Hades and Echo retreated to the Underworld, seeking refuge from the chaotic scene. Once back in the shadows, Hades realized the consequences of their brief journey to the realm of the living. As the questions swirled through his mind, Hades realized that their paths had intertwined in ways he could not yet understand. The underworld, once a place of solitude, had begun to blossom with the possibility of change. Little did he know that their fateful meeting would attract the attention of other gods and goddesses, setting off a series of events that would test Hades' new power and Echo's journey to self-discovery. Thus, as the realm of the dead continued its eternal existence, Hades and Echo prepared for the trials that awaited them, unaware of the fate that awaited their intertwined destinies. As Hades and Echo continued their journey through the winding paths of the Underworld, a feeling of anticipation hung in the air. A whisper of change lingered in the shadows, as if the realm of the dead itself longed for something different. Hades could feel the weight of responsibility growing on his shoulders, his new connection with Echo pushing him to consider the welfare of the souls under his rule. Their encounters with the shadows had exposed him to their forgotten stories, their broken dreams, and their unfulfilled desires. He could no longer remain indifferent to their fate, for his heart had been inflamed by the warmth of Echo's presence. Together, they ventured deeper into the depths of the Underworld, their footsteps echoing on the cold stone floor. Hades wondered if this journey would lead them to the answers they sought, to the secrets and revelations that would forever alter the course of their lives. As they reached the heart of the Underworld, a place where darkness converged and souls lingered in eternal turmoil, a faint light pierced the darkness. Intrigued, Hades guided Echo towards the source, his hand wrapping protectively around hers. The light emanated from a hidden chamber, hidden by layers of obsidian and guarded by strange whispers. With apprehension, Hades pushed open the heavy doors, Before them stood a great tapestry, intricately woven with dark threads and vibrant shades of light. It represented the stories of the forgotten, the lost souls who had long since passed into the realm of the dead. Whispers, like ethereal winds, echoed through the chamber, prompting Hades and Echo to delve deeper into the mysteries of the tapestry. With every step they took, stories unfolded before their eyes, revealing the triumphs and tragedies that had befallen the souls under Hades' tutelage. Hades ran his fingers over the tapestry, feeling the emotions of the souls resonate through the fabric. The magnitude of their pain and desire overwhelmed him, while the weight of their unfulfilled lives weighed on his shoulders. Echo, her voice restored but still haunted by the silence she endured, looked at the tapestry with eyes full of empathy. She understood their aspirations, their desire to be remembered and recognized, because she had also been silenced and forgotten. Together, Hades and Echo stood on the brink of change, realizing that their bond extended beyond their own personal journeys. They held the power to bring comfort and redemption to the souls who walked these shadows, to mend the broken tapestry of their lives. As they looked up, determination etched on their faces, Hades and Echo vowed to shine a light on the darkness, unearth the forgotten souls, and rewrite their stories in a way that would bring them peace. Little did they know that their quest for change would extend far beyond the underworld, encompassing the realm of the living and questioning the very foundations of Mount Olympus itself. The forces of destiny had been set in motion, and Hades and Echo were the catalysts for a rebellion that neither of them could fully understand. With the weight of their destiny upon them, they took one final step forward, ready to face the unknown and forge a future that would forever change the balance between life and death. Hades and Echo stood in awe, staring at the intricate tapestry before them. The woven threads represented forgotten souls, their faces etched with sorrow and longing. It was a haunting reminder of the pain that had been ignored for too long. A glint of determination ignited in Hades' eyes as he realized the weight of responsibility that rested on his shoulders. He knew he couldn't close his eyes anymore. Taking Echo's hand in his, he made a silent wish, a wish to bring comfort and redemption to these lost souls. Together, they embarked on a mission to find every forgotten soul, uncover their stories, and grant them the peace they deserved. In the depths of the Underworld, where restless spirits roamed, Hades and Echo searched for the first of the forgotten souls. They approached a disoriented shadow, its ethereal form barely visible in the dim light. Hades' heart sank at the sight of the lost soul, his eyes filled with emptiness. With a light touch of his hand, Hades summoned his powers, allowing him to see the soul's past. The mind's memories unfolded, revealing a life once filled with love and laughter, but consumed by tragedy and despair. Echo's voice rang out, weaving a melody that brought comfort to the forgotten soul, as they listened, without judgment, to her tale of woe. Moved by the spirit's story, Hades and Echo promised to bring him comfort and redemption. They vowed to bring forgotten souls back to the realm of the living, giving them a chance to heal their torn hearts. As they continued their journey through the Underworld, Hades and Echo encountered other lost souls, each with their own story of heartbreak and regret. They listened, comforted and offered a glimmer of hope in the midst of the darkness. With each forgotten soul redeemed, the atmosphere of the Underworld began to change. The once desolate realm was now filled with whispers of gratitude and newfound light. The shadows danced with renewed vigor, as if celebrating the possibility of redemption. News of Hades and Echo's mission spread throughout the underworld, reaching the ears of the most miserable souls. A spark of hope ignited within them, fueling their desire for a second chance: a chance to rewrite their history and find peace. News of their deeds also reached the farthest corners of Mount Olympus, where the gods and goddesses watched them with intrigued curiosity. Some doubted Hades' intentions, questioning his sudden transformation from a lonely lord to a compassionate guardian of the forgotten.

The glittering tradition of sword-and-sorcery sweeps into the sands of ancient Arabia with the heart-stopping speed of a whirling dervish in this thrilling debut novel from new talent Howard Andrew Jones In 8th century Baghdad, a stranger pleads with the vizier to safeguard the bejeweled tablet he carries, but he is murdered before he can explain. Charged with solving the puzzle, the scholar Dabir soon realizes that the tablet may unlock secrets hidden within the lost city of Ubar, the Atlantis of the sands. When the tablet is stolen from his care, Dabir and Captain Asim are sent after it, and into a life and death chase through the ancient Middle East. Stopping the thieves—a cunning Greek spy and a fire wizard of the Magi—requires a desperate journey into the desert, but first Dabir and Asim must find the lost ruins of Ubar and contend with a mythic, sorcerous being that has traded wisdom for the souls of men since the dawn of time. But against all these hazards there is one more that may be too great even for Dabir to overcome... Advance Praise for THE DESERT OF SOULS: "The Desert of Souls is filled with adventure, magic, compelling characters and twists that are twisty. This is seriously cool stuff." -- Steven Brust, New York Times bestselling author of the Vlad Taltos series "A grand and wonderful adventure filled with exotic magic and colorful places — like a cross between Sinbad and Indiana Jones." -- Kevin J. Anderson, New York Times bestselling author of The Map of All Things "Like the genie of the lamp, Howard Jones has granted this reader's wish for a fresh, exciting take on the venerable genre of sword-and-sorcery!" -- Richard A. Knaak, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Legends of the Dragonrealm "Howard Andrew Jones spins an exciting and suspenseful tale in his historical fantasy debut. A rich, detailed tapestry -- part Arthur Conan Doyle, part Robert E. Howard, and part Omar Khayyam, woven in the magical thread of One Thousand And One Nights." -- E.E. Knight, Author of the bestselling Vampire Earth "An entertaining and enjoyable journey into a world of djinns and magic far darker than expected, yet one that ends with hope, both for the characters... and that there will be yet another book." -- L. E. Modesitt, Jr, author of the Recluse Saga, the Imager Portfolio, and the Corean Chronicles "A modern iteration of old school storytelling. Highly recommended to anyone in search of a fun run through strange lands and times." -- Glen Cook, author of The Black Company Series "Howard Jones wields magic like a subtle blade and action like a mighty cleaver in his scimitars and sorcery tale, weaving together Arabian myth, history, and some honest-to-gosh surprises to create a unique story that you'll not soon forget." -- Monte Cook, author of The Dungeon Masters Guide, 3rd Edition "A rousing tale of swords against sorcery. Howard Jones writes with wit and flair. His world is involving, authentic and skilfully evoked. The best fantasy novel I have read all year." -- William King, Author of the Space Wolf trilogy and creator of Gotrek and Felix "A whirlwind tale of deserts, djinn and doors to other worlds, told in a voice perfectly pitched for the style and setting." -- Nathan Long, author of Bloodborn and Shamanslayer "An Arabian Nights adventure as written by Robert E Howard. It is exciting, inventive, and most of all fun." -- Dave Drake, author of The Legion of Fire

One day, Mama Ngonsu told her son: "Normally, a child grew up and stayed around to help his parents. The world has changed, and things are no longer as they used to be. Things must not be normal all the time, otherwise life would not be life." When Emmanuel Kwanga gets a University scholarship, he travels from the lake and hills of Abehema to the Great City. Everyone in the village has invested in him their hopes for the good life. When the life they've imagined is cut short by the University guillotine, Emmanuel Kwanga must struggle to make sense of what the good life means - for himself and for Abehema - in a world where things are no longer as they used to be. This novel is about coming of age and coming to terms in Mimboland. It is also about the fragility of life and the strength of the human spirit. The filth and screaming splendor of the city and the perplexed tranquility of the village are juxtaposed, as the tension and conviviality between tradition and modernity are lived and explored. Roads and drivers, dreams and public transport link different geographies. Faltering along or speeding away, these spaces of risk, frustration and solidarity are filled with popular songs as vehicles for understanding events and relationships. With every crossing of the Pont de Maturit the story flows, and its mysteries surge. In this novel, the worlds of the living and the dead intermingle, as do the natural and the supernatural, the visible and the invisible.

I thought that you as reader would enjoy this writing on the great dignity of the human soul. This book offers a sharp contrast to the main topics on which I tend to post and was written and compiled from my heart. I have often posted articles on extremely manned starship technologies, and as a physicist, I will continue to do such. However, I offer this rather long article as a sharing of my personal belief in the transcendent dignity of every human person and by corollary that of any of our ETI brothers and sisters. With modern technological capabilities to monitor the various emotional and mental states of test subjects and the ability to measure and experimentally probe the electric and magnetic fields generated within the human body, we sometimes are tempted to view the human soul as some form of corruptible energy field. We long for a rekindling of a sense of mystery regarding the ephemeral reality of the human soul. This book is motivated as an attempt to restore a sense of mystery in the minds and hearts of any and all persons who will read this post regarding that aspect of our human nature that seems to be beyond validation by modern science, technology, and medicine and which seems to defy certain and precise explanation by philosophers, theologians, and clergyman alike.

The story revolves around a conflicted protagonist who is caught between life and death, tasked with a mysterious purpose related to guiding souls or executing divine judgment. As an "Angel of Death," they are torn between their humanity and the supernatural duties imposed upon them by a higher power. The plot explores themes of redemption, justice, sacrifice, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. The protagonist navigates both the mortal world and the realms beyond, uncovering dark secrets about themselves, Heaven, and Hell. The story builds toward an epic confrontation that blurs the line between divine justice and personal vengeance.

"In every system...except that of the Bible, the doctrine of a purgatory after death, and prayers for the dead, has always been found to occupy a place. Go wherever we may, in ancient or modern times, we shall find that paganism leaves hope after death for sinners..." According to the Roman Catholic Catechism, issued with episcopal authority on the occasion of the 4th Plenary Council in 1937, purgatory is "...a place or state of punishment in the next life where some souls have to suffer for a time, because they are not yet fit to go to heaven." The Roman Catholic Church teaches that purgatorial sufferings vary greatly in intensity according to the degree of sinfulness on the part of the sinner. For some the torment will be light and mild, lasting perhaps a few hours. For others, however, the pain is no less than that of hell and can last for several thousand years.