First published in 2007. The political history of late imperial/early modern China and the relationship between China's traditional political culture and the rapidly changing political environment of China today, are examined through this study of the iconic figure of Yang Jisheng. Born in 1516, Yang had a brief and traumatic career as a junior official in the middle Ming dynasty, before being executed in 1555 for criticising the politics of the imperial state. After his death, Yang was held up as a martyr to Confucian political morality. Over the ensuing 450 years, a variety of constituencies within China have appropriated and deployed Yang's memory in different ways to promote their own political agendas. In recent years, as China has sought to come to grips with the ideological decline of socialism and the need for a new foundation for public morality, there has been a revival of interest in figures like Yang Jisheng. A series of events including the rebuilding of his ancestral shrine, the rededication of a school he founded, and the republication of his writings, show how his legacy is once again being taken up by actors on the contemporary political scene. This is an important study of the power of political myth in China, past and present.

With her newfound faith, Catherine Dougall hopes to take the remnants of her threadbare life and make something beautiful, even if society shuns every choice she makes. Dr. David Ross must save his war hospital from ruin, but when his notorious aunt makes an offer he can't refuse, he must choose between his surprising affection for a reformed flirt or his dreams. From the beautiful Derbyshire countryside to the trenches of World War One, Catherine and David must learn to trust in a God who never forgets his children and fashions beauty out of the most broken things.

If you are interested in pepper--its provenance, history, taste, and uses—then this is a book for you. J.E. Barth recounts the fascinating history of pepper from ancient times through the present and traces the challenges at each step of the pepper supply chain as it make its way from the growers to the kitchens and dining tables around the world. He covers quality assessment, storage, processing, taste and uses of pepper, including its cosmetic and pharmacological applications. A selection of recipes is included to provide a flavourful backdrop to this tasty guide to the world’s most popular spice.

"Beast is the tale of Christopher - called Beast; born with a facial deformity so severe that he has kept to himself. Excelling in the special forces of The Marines, Beast leads a solitary life. Ashleigh is a 'fluffy girl' used to having a handsome man by her side - even if she has to keep him in money and finery in order to assure that he stays interested. Ashleigh knows that she is beautiful, despite her added pounds but when her treacherous boyfriend marries another woman right under her nose she decides to make a change inside and out! Beast will define that beauty is not what is on the outside but within - and the question will be; who is the Beauty and who is the Beast?"--Author's website

Can their hearts overcome the darkness of the mountains? To escape a forced marriage, Cora Taylor travels from England to the Blue Ridge Mountains in search of her brother, who is working as a teacher in a mission school. She hopes to find a place where her nursing skills and independent ideas will be accepted and appreciated, but nothing prepares her for the wild mixture of isolation, community, brokenness, and hope within these mountains…or in the person of Jeb McAdams. Returning from the devastation of World War 1 emotionally damaged, Jeb McAdams struggles against the rampant mountain alcoholism to soothe his nightmares. It’s easy to hide within the mountains, or it was, before Cora Taylor arrived. Now, she seems to show up at every turn, bringing her modern ideas, curiosity, and beautiful eyes with her. Bound by their shared war history, the pair develop an unlikely friendship, which unexpectedly hints to something more. But when Cora’s desire to help the women of the mountains crosses an unspoken line, will Jeb be able to protect this feisty flatlander from the wrath of the mountain men or will he end up losing much more than his heart?

The Dictionary of Food is the indispensable companion for everyone who loves reading about food, or cooking it. We live in a globalised world, and our tastes in food have widened dramatically in recent years. The Dictionary of Food reflects this huge cultural shift. With concise descriptions of dishes, ingredients, equipment, and techniques, it brings the world's cuisines, familiar and less familiar, within our grasp. '... so interesting that it only stayed on my desk very briefly before it was taken away... invaluable in anyone's kitchen and particularly useful for professional chefs.' - Caroline Waldegrave, Leiths School of Food and Wine