This superb new volume is addressed to everyone interested in hope, regardless of their religious or philosophical beliefs. Glenn Tinder, one of our most astute and creative thinkers, probes the failure of modern, secular hope and shows, with great sensitivity and openness, why the tenets of Christian faith offer a true and meaningful source for hope amid the widespread distress, confusion, and despondency of contemporary life. From The Critics Jean Bethke Elshtain Glenn Tinder argues compellingly that modern despondency flows from a collapse of unreasonable optimism about our individual and collective prospects. By contrast to despondency and brittle optimism, Tinder calls for a renewal of hope. Framed by Christian belief, Tinder's elegant essay reaches out to appeal to all men and women troubled by our current condition. A beautifully written and touching work. Michael Novak Tinder's weighty essay on the nature, spirituality, and politics of hope offers an illuminating perspective on a central pillar of civilization. Mary Ann Glendon "A pristine intellectual and spiritual achievement by one of the most penetrating thinkers. of our day" Richard John Neuhaus "With this essay Tinder once again vindicated his reputation as one of the most incisive thinkers and graceful writers working today. His is a most powerful argument that only a hope that has come to terms with all the reasons for despair can sustain us into a future that we do not and cannot control. Tinder's wisdom is in knowing that attention to first things requires facing up to last things."

In this book, Bryant Simon brings to life the politics of white South Carolina millhands during the first half of the twentieth century. His revealing and moving account explores how this group of southern laborers thought about and participated in politics and public power. Taking a broad view of politics, Simon looks at laborers as they engaged in political activity in many venues--at the polling station, on front porches, and on the shop floor--and examines their political involvement at the local, state, and national levels. He describes the campaign styles and rhetoric of such politicians as Coleman Blease and Olin Johnston (himself a former millhand), who eagerly sought the workers' votes. He draws a detailed picture of mill workers casting ballots, carrying placards, marching on the state capital, writing to lawmakers, and picketing factories. These millhands' politics reflected their public and private thoughts about whiteness and blackness, war and the New Deal, democracy and justice, gender and sexuality, class relations and consumption. Ultimately, the people depicted here are neither romanticized nor dismissed as the stereotypically racist and uneducated "rednecks" found in many accounts of southern politics. Southern workers understood the political and social forces that shaped their lives, argues Simon, and they developed complex political strategies to deal with those forces.

Babies, family, and friends will delight in these fun and washable themed novelty books. Easily made in a day, fabric picture books take advantage of fabric motifs, conversational prints, and I Spy fabrics.* Make a floral applique gift book for a gardener. *Make a foundation-pieced bird book for a friend. *Use photo transfer techniques and stitch up a family photo memory book.

A new edition of the best-selling fabric guide includes all-new updated information on the selection of the best fabrics for a variety of projects and how to make the most of them, including new tips and more than three hundred color photographs.

From Paleolithic flax to 3D knitting, explore the global history of textiles and the world they weave together in this enthralling and educational guide. The story of humanity is the story of textiles -- as old as civilization itself. Since the first thread was spun, the need for textiles has driven technology, business, politics, and culture. In The Fabric of Civilization, Virginia Postrel synthesizes groundbreaking research from archaeology, economics, and science to reveal a surprising history. From Minoans exporting wool colored with precious purple dye to Egypt, to Romans arrayed in costly Chinese silk, the cloth trade paved the crossroads of the ancient world. Textiles funded the Renaissance and the Mughal Empire; they gave us banks and bookkeeping, Michelangelo's David and the Taj Mahal. The cloth business spread the alphabet and arithmetic, propelled chemical research, and taught people to think in binary code. Assiduously researched and deftly narrated, The Fabric of Civilization tells the story of the world's most influential commodity.

20 fresh patterns to sew a variety of fun and functional projects with oilcloth Sewing with Oilcloth covers sewing with the family of specialty fabrics collectively known as oilcloth. You'll get easy-to-follow instructions, special tips and tricks needed to get the most out of these fabrics, the unique applications of each, and how to treat and care for the finished pieces. From home goods to accessories, from baby gear to outdoor decor, you'll find oilcloth sewing projects that unlock the potential of both traditional choices and new designer prints. You'll follow along helpful, trouble-free instructions to sew oilcloth projects like a simple tablecloth, garden apron, farmer's market tote, baby bib, and so much more. Includes patterns for making 20 fun and functional projects to sew with oilcloth Offers valuable instruction and a clean, appealing design Features beautiful and polished full-color photographs of all projects Whether you're a seasoned stitcher or just starting out in the exciting world of sewing with oilcloth, this one-of-a-kind book gives you everything you need to easily get the most out of this specialty fabric.

Fter facing heart-breaking betrayals and jaw-dropping revelations in Akoris, Roh must steel herself once more and continue her quest to win the Cyren throne. But with poison lingering in her body and a new, unpredictable companion at her side, the trek to the mysterious territory of Csilla becomes all the more perilous. Dangerous schemes are afoot - ones that threaten not only the homeland Roh intends to rule, but all of cyrenkind. As her journey stretches across the realm, Roh must navigate the dark web of her own ambition and master her newfound magic. Will she triumph against the trials ahead - or sow the seeds of her own destruction?

Transform fabric into exquisite art bowls Delve into the world of quilts, fabrics, and bowl making! Take quilt blocks and bring them into the three dimensional space as tasteful, modern bowls. Kirsten Fisher shares her unique artistic vision and instructions on how you can take any piece of fabric and reinvent it using the design of your choice. Perfect to forever display a favorite fabric or quilt block, or provide a thoughtful gift to loved ones. Learn step-by-step how to use fabric or quilt blocks to create modern, functional art bowls Show off your stitching artistry with endless decorative opportunities Great way to make use of scrap fabric, they also make great gifts!

Planning a sewing getaway? Heidi Staples of sewing blog Fabric Mutt presents everything needed to have a successful trip, including helpful packing and organizing tips. Each section of this fun, colorful book is organized with travel in mind, offering small, medium, and large projects to be achieved while on the perfect sewing retreat: --Daytrips: Small projects include a Bookmobile Sleeve, Road Trip Pillow, Snapshot Needlebook, Sewing Bee Pincushion, and Coffee Shop Coasters --Weekend Retreats: Bigger projects include a Patio Pillow, Beachcomber Pouch, Kitchenette Set, Scout's Honor Pouch, and a Color Book --Summer Vacations: Extended projects include a Big Bear Cabin Quilt and Palm Springs Bag Get ready to have a fabulous sewing retreat!

Jera Brandvig’s signature quilt-as-you-go method is back with brand new techniques and ideas! Create pretty projects using small, manageable pieces of fabric that can be made into different shapes and sizes from a creative and fresh perspective. The follow up to best-sellers Quilt-as-you-go Made Modern and Quilt-as-you-go Made Vintage, this book introduces how to quilt individual circles, hexagons, and easy 3D quilt blocks. Also, learn to add extra creative flair with embellishments such as lace and ribbon to your quilt. Once you’ve created your treasured masterpiece, enjoy learning Jera’s tips for how to tastefully display quilts as elegant home decor. Create beginner and precut-friendly quilts in multiple styles and sizes Learn various techniques such as making reversible quilts with folded circles or hexagons, making 3-dimensional flower blocks, and embellishing with ribbons and lace Includes special chapter showing Jera’s ideas for using quilts as home decor