Delving into three hundred years of Chinese literature, from the mid-sixteenth century to the mid-nineteenth, The Libertine’s Friend uncovers the complex and fascinating history of male homosexual and homosocial relations in the late imperial era. Drawing particularly on overlooked works of pornographic fiction, Giovanni Vitiello offers a frank exploration of the importance of same-sex love and eroticism to the evolution of masculinity in China. Vitiello’s story unfolds chronologically, beginning with the earliest sources on homoeroticism in pre-imperial China and concluding with a look at developments in the twentieth century. Along the way, he identifies a number of recurring characters—for example, the libertine scholar, the chivalric hero, and the lustful monk—and sheds light on a set of key issues, including the social and legal boundaries that regulated sex between men, the rise of male prostitution, and the aesthetics of male beauty. Drawing on this trove of material, Vitiello presents a historical outline of changing notions of male homosexuality in China, revealing the integral part that same-sex desire has played in its culture.

In the short time they existed, The Libertines accomplished the impossible: they kick-started the new British music renaissance. They erased the barrier with fans, they inspired thousands, they gave away entire albums of material free on the internet. Yet on the whole the media failed to grasp what the band really stood for, preferring live-fast-die-young-cliches and headlines screaming for Kate Moss to abandon 'Junkie Pete' Doherty. Award-winning journalist Anthony Thornton and celebrated photographer Roger Sargent witnessed the whole messy story of The Libertines, and have remained on good terms with the two battling creative geniuses of Pete Doherty and Carl Barat. THE LIBERTINES: BOUND TOGETHER documents their extraordinary highs and lows, and the fallout from the breakup. Anthony Thornton is the only journalist to have interviewed the band at every critical stage, and witnessed every major gig. Roger Sargent was their photographer of choice; responsible for the iconic second album photograph and artwork. This is the definitive representation of the band in words and pictures - a unique, beautifully produced record of the most important British band of this generation.

Abandoned by his cavalier father at a young age, William de Veres grew up knowing precious little happiness. But William has put the past firmly behind him and as a military hero and noted rake, he rises fast in the ranks of the hedonistic Restoration court. Though not before he is forced to seek shelter from a charming young Puritan woman… The civil wars have cost the once-high-spirited Elizabeth Walters her best friend and her father, leaving her unprotected and alone. She flees an unwanted marriage, seeking safe haven, but what she finds is something she never expected. When her kindness and her beauty bring her to the attention of William, and then the king, she will have a choice to make. After all, can a notorious libertine really be capable of love?