Bøger udgivet af Pantianos Classics

What does the Bible say about immortality and the afterlife? In this study, we discover the origins and development of religious beliefs in life after death, and the existence of beings from realms beyond.In mounting this comprehensive and scholarly study of the Old Testament, W. O. E. Oesterley examines a variety of pertinent passages from the Biblical lore. By the time the Bible was written, demons and their ilk were already an established presence in ancient belief systems. Ancient Judaism included a variety of new demons, together with details on their habitat, behaviors and interaction with humans living on Earth. With demons synonymous with evil, angels were synonymous with good, enacting God's will that humans spend their mortality in virtue.What happens to humans after death has for millennia been an important spiritual question. The Bible contains a series of details on the traversal and immortality of the deceased's souls. In the ancient times ancestor worship was common, and these cults of the dead are acknowledged in the Old Testament. To compliment his narrative, the author also provides supplementary historical details of mourning and funerary customs, with a series of rituals said to ensure the soul's safe transit to the immortal realm.

One of the most pivotal myths of Hawaii, the tales of the deity Pele and her sister Hiiaka form a poetic saga of folklore that is compelling to read.Pele is the Hawaiian Goddess of volcanoes and fire, while Hi'iaka is her youngest sibling. The two possess a rivalry, and their adventures together and separately form the basis of the myths in this book. Much of the story is narrated through poems and songs; the ancient chants and hulas uniquely incorporate the emotional bonds and developments of the plot. The depiction of nature and the elements are evocative; lava flows and water heaves, creating beautiful contrasts and images in the tropical island setting.Nathaniel Bright Emerson was a doctor and author who was born in Waialua on Oahu in 1839. He was educated and spent his early career in the USA, but in 1878 relocated back to Hawaii. He was immensely interested in Hawaiian folklore, spending years researching and compiling the stories passed down in the oral tradition. Late in life he published examples of as-yet unwritten folk tales and legends, before finally turning to Pele and Hiiaka. This edition includes a handful of illustrations, that readers may envisage the lively and supernatural events.

This biography of the pioneering English evangelical Charles Simeon takes us through his greatest adventures and accomplishments in the name of the Lord.Converting to Christianity when taking communion at the age of twenty, Charles Simeon went on to become a clergyman notable for his evocative speech and understanding of the word of God. He was among the first Christian missionaries who travelled to India; arriving in Calcutta in 1787 and later working with the East India Company chaplaincy service. He followed this pioneering approach with frequent speaking tours, spreading the gospel to churches in Britain and abroad. Simeon worked as vicar in Cambridge; at times rebuffed by the locals, he eventually gained their respect and became popular in the community.Striking for its well-researched detail, this memoir contains original correspondences written by or to Charles Simeon. These offer a glimpse into his personal and professional life, and how the Church of England was organized more than 200 years ago. Finally we hear of Simeon's later years, his failing health and the enormous funeral service in which tributes to his depth of religious and Biblical knowledge and personality were abundant.

This history offers an insight into the generations of the Mosher family, who emigrated from Manchester, England to colonial-era North America.Charting the lives of some ten generations of Moshers, this work was first published in 1891. It covers roughly two hundred years' of family history, and recalls the names, professions and other notable details of various ancestors. Interesting events involving those with the Mosher surname, and the role the Moshers played in the social and economic life of their time, are detailed. As such, this family history offers glimpses into the rural, farming culture of pre-industrial America.It is demonstrated that Moshers gradually migrated far and wide through North America. Some joined the westward expansion and settled on the west coast, others developed an affinity for Canada and remained there. Some joined the bustling urban life in cities such as New York, whilst others remained committed to country living, working in agriculture, ranching or other rural pursuits.In all, this is a valuable record of family research, made for later generations of Mosher as well as for those with an interest in genealogy.

Trade unionist and Marxist politician William Z. Foster explains the organization and failure of the steel strike in 1919, an action which saw much of America's metal industry grind to a halt.The metal industries had, owing to great leaps in technological advancement, shed many jobs during the early 20th century. This precarious situation, plus the fact that unions had been curbed after a number of violent actions in the 1890s, led to the situation of laborers becoming unbearable. Shortly after Armistice Day marked the end of World War I, a surge of discontentment was accompanied by organization of labor and strike action.Although successful for a number of weeks, to the point where President Woodrow Wilson had to intervene and placate the workers on strike, the owners of the mills mounted an effective campaign which eroded public support for the strikers. Police brutality against striking steelworkers was recorded, with several such incidents being unprovoked. The Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers was unable to counter this opposition, and in January of 1920 the strike collapsed.Foster offers a clear and frank narration of the strike from the perspective of a man strongly in favor of the laborers. In the wake of the 1919 strike, continuing advances in steelmaking obsoleted the need for labor in the creation of raw steel; in the 1920s and 1930s quantities of steel produced rose, while the numbers of workers in the industry continued to plummet.

The Japanese Buddhist priest and author Nichiren is one of the most significant spiritual figures of his time, elevating the status and sophistication of Buddhism in Japan.Through his writings and records of the era, we learn of Nichiren's deeply-held conviction that he was a reincarnated Bodhisattva sent by Buddha to further establish the religion in Japan. Nishiren's efforts led to his being the namesake for Japan's branch of the Mahayana school of Buddhists. He established methods of religious education, the zenith of which were a number of teachings unique to the faith. Nichiren also corresponded with followers, offering condolences, advice and wisdom to those who sought counsel.All of these deeds are recorded in this well-informed biography, which describes how Nichiren lived through a tumultuous time in Japanese history. Persecutions by non-believers, the invasion of the Mongols, plus periods spent in exile, made Nichiren's life difficult. Despite such obstacles he managed to found his school of Buddhism, introduce comprehensive doctrines for the temple, and convert a great many Japanese to the faith before dying at the age of sixty. Later judged to be an exceptional figure, he received posthumous honors from Japanese Emperors, and his teachings remain popularly studied by students and adherents to Buddhism in modern Japan.

The terrifying reign of Leopold II, King of Belgium, was marked by atrocities in the Congo - murder, enslavement and violence was used in pursuit of raw rubber.Following advances in industry, rubber became a valuable commodity - at first, the Congolese thought this new trade would bring prosperity to their country. Instead, what ensued was murderous and exploitative barbarity of a scale never seen in Africa. Between 1890 and 1910, the Belgian forces occupying the Congo in Africa perpetrated horrific atrocities against the indigenous population.King Leopold II had brought Congo directly under his control. He permitted his soldiers to commit mass murder and enslavement, rapes, mass amputations, beatings and degradation of the population. Millions of Congolese died in the midst of this atrocious misrule. Belgium however profited enormously, and Leopold II spent some of his revenues from rubber sales on grandiose public building projects.Edmund Dene Morel was a British politician and campaigner who worked for years investigating and publicizing the brutality of Belgian rule in the Congo. He was appalled when Britain stood idly by as Leopold II's tyranny ensued. Morel first published this book in 1906, while this reprint is derived from an updated edition of 1919; by this time the king had died, having finally been forced to surrender his control of the colony to the government of Belgium.

Annie Besant brings readers on a journey through the planes of existence, explaining the interplay of the physical reality we perceive and the spiritual planes beyond our perception.By quoting ancient documents of Buddhism and Taoism, Besant describes the composition and processes of the mysterious worlds beyond what we see and hear in everyday life. The divine wisdom of Theosophy includes doctrines from multiple ancient religions, such as those of Egypt, India, Tibet and Eastern Asia. In the eyes of the theosophist, each of these contributes truths to the phenomena of the physical, astral and mental planes which are explored by Besant.Philosophical concepts of the Self, the soul, the afterlife, and reincarnation receive attention in the later stages of this book, which also explains the links between the planes and concepts such as the Buddha realms and Nirvana. Besant keenly summarizes and describes the major facets of theosophy, whilst praising the movement's founder H. P. Blavatsky.Throughout this text, Besant's gifts for explanation and descriptive writing demystify spiritual mysteries and ideas that would otherwise be hard to comprehend. For years a leading proponent of the theosophic movement, Annie Besant published several books and delivered lectures in the early 20th century.

The story of businessman and engineer George Westinghouse is fascinating; his inventions revolutionized rail transport, and his pioneering distribution of electrical power changed life for Americans forever.Brought up in the small town of Central Bridge in upstate New York, Westinghouse showed talent from a young age, learning much of his father's mechanical knowhow. Filing his first patent at the tender age of 19, it was through his gifts in engineering and knack for business that Westinghouse rose to become one of the biggest names in cutting-edge American invention and technology. Though he built a variety of induction motors, steam and gas engines, it was his mechanical air braking system for trains that endured - its descendants are still used in modern locomotives worldwide.In maturity, Westinghouse competed with Thomas Edison for the electrical market; the staggering possibilities of delivering electricity to buildings meant the two fought intensely for contracts to roll out electrification, culminating in the World's Fair of 1893. There, George Westinghouse convincingly demonstrated how alternating current (AC) could deliver power at great scale to homes and businesses consistently, safely and efficiently.All these events and more comprise Henry G. Prout's biography, which delves into the schematics of Westinghouse's inventions, the resulting enterprises and the nature of the man himself.

This vibrant and illustrated selection of Croatian myths and heroic folk tales offers stunning glimpses into a centuries-old culture.The familiar themes of the fairy tale - the gallant hero, fearsome beast, and damsel-in-distress - were popular with the storytellers of Croatia of old. What makes these stories so interesting is the local variations of familiar narratives; the maritime culture of Croatia is reflected in the story of Fisherman Plunk, whose poverty motivates him to seek adventure. Many of the mystical creatures described are peculiar to the Croatian culture, with dialogue between humans and creatures of the wilderness plus poetic verses giving each story a distinctive tone.Croatia's folklore is understood to be a local variation on the wider grouping of Slavic myths. Exotic and unfamiliar to Western readers, the stories are made vivid by the illustrations of Vladimir Kirin, whose unique style brings the creatures and scenes of the stories alive. The translator F. S. Copeland sought to preserve the accuracy and uniqueness of Croatia's folklore, and appends at the conclusion a series of interpretive notes so readers can better understand the stories and the names of the characters.

C. Wright Mills' incisive analysis of the American white-collar worker is a classic of sociology, the author's ideas and terms making a lasting effect on sociological enquiry and popular consciousness.

Medieval times for the military and for citizens, for wealthy or poor, for the farm worker and the intellectual, stand in deep contrast to modern times - this detailed and illustrated history delves into major facets of life in the Middle Ages.We hear how knights spent years in training as pages and squires, and how jousting tourneys between knights on horseback were popular entertainment. The architectural design of castles required advances in siege warfare; wars raged during most of the era. Yet these mighty structures in peaceable times served not merely a military purpose - the courts and feasts of kings and nobles, and the music and arts of Medieval times, commonly ensued in a castle setting. The economic system was called feudalism; whereby peasants worked a Lord's land, and swore an oath of fealty to his service.Some 110 illustrations accompany the explanations of life; plans of castles, drawings of town life, of armored knights and social gatherings. These fine sketches breathe further life into the author's narration, and their style is influenced by Medieval paintings and tapestries. The monastic origins of formal education and scientific culture, and events in the busy towns and cities, are described with accuracy and example. Eva March Tappan's abundant experiences as historian, author and teacher are evidenced by the high quality of her writing.

Ancient Rome is renowned for its distinctive calendar and frequent festivals dedicated to various Gods; classical scholar W. Warde Fowler discusses each event, and its role in Roman religious and cultural life.The modern, twelve-month calendar was built upon the foundations set by the Romans. Several of the months retain the names invented in Roman antiquity, and the meaning of several months in the context of seasonal weather and yearly holidays remain. While timekeeping has evolved to better suit the revolutions of the Earth, the framework established by the ancient Romans remains. Appended at the conclusion of the preface are charts of Rome's calendar, showing the individual days and events.Taking us through the Roman year, Fowler demonstrates how ancient Rome placed great significance upon their Gods. Festivals were of enormous importance in community life; gatherings and celebrations enforced the beliefs in the Roman Gods and cemented aspects of its traditions and culture. How traces of these ancient traditions endured through later periods of history is discussed. Additionally, the author mentions how in times of crisis Rome's festivals would host a return to primitive rituals as the fearful citizenry sought to ward off misfortune and ill-omens through animal sacrifice and other archaic rites.

Acclaimed educator and minister Arno C. Gaebelein's commentary on the Book of Revelation is detailed and engaging, discussing the prophetic and symbolic elements of the text.Narrating from his dispensationalist perspective, Gaebelein discusses sequentially the chapters of Revelation. He investigates the link between Revelation and the Old Testament, in particular the Seventy-Week prophecies of Daniel. The book's repeated allusion to the number seven characterize the later chapters, with visitations of seven angels with seven corresponding judgments upon mankind investigated. Using his ample experience with the Bible, Gaebelein reveals a series of details and connections, with scripture references included throughout his investigation.While some Bible commentaries are difficult to read and steeped in scholarly language, Arno C. Gaebelein had the everyday Christian in mind when writing this book. As a Methodist minister with plentiful experience talking and explaining religious doctrines and ideas to believers, the author was familiar and experienced with delivering knowledge. Just as Gaebelein strives to demonstrate the harmony between the various Bible prophecies, so too does he aim for constant clarity in explanation.

In the 1950s, anthropologist Colin Turnbull lived among the pygmies of the Congo river for three years - this is his account of life among the tribespeople.

Intelligence agency veteran and journalist Edward Hunter shares the experiences of men he interviewed who were subject to brainwashing as prisoners in totalitarian communist societies.A shocking yet informative expose of the history and techniques of brainwashing by communist military and security services, this book commences by delving into the origins of the practice. Ivan Pavlov, a vaunted scientist in the Soviet Union, was an unwitting aide to the process - his experiments on animals, and the discoveries he made therein, would form the basis of the incarceration and interrogation methods used in multiple communist states. The object of such procedures was to break down a person's ego, and rebuild it in the form of an unwavering supporter to communist ideology.Chapter by chapter, we are given a detailed guide to the physical and mental manipulations which comprise brainwashing. Supporting this information are multiple interviews and accounts of prisoners who lived to tell of their ordeals. Some of these men are intellectuals, persecuted for their mental prowess, while others are captured soldiers. Many retained their sanity by discovering ways to subvert the process - the harsh interviews, replete with threats, were rebuffed. In short, the playbook of the brainwasher is exposed as having exploitable flaws and weaknesses.Although the subject is by nature grim and dark, Edward Hunter's narration is interspersed with humorous narratives. The experiences of British and American POWs during the Korean War are humorous; to the bafflement of their guards, men would feign insanity and pretend to be hallucinating, be it through having an illusory girlfriend or riding a non-existent bicycle. The sense of camaraderie did much to strengthen the resolve of these soldiers, in spite of the adverse conditions of their camp.

Minister, teacher and author James Stewart reveals how Paul the Apostle developed the Christian religion in the 1st century AD, shedding light on the emergence of early Christianity.Informed by the author's scholarship, this superb book is based off a series of well-received lectures which the author delivered at the University of Edinburgh. The text is annotated at length, with incidences of the Bible's Greek and references to various sources from previous centuries. The flowing narration of Paul's progression from follower to great herald of Christianity, and the evolution of early Christian doctrines, is complimented in equal measure by the author's gifts for sermon writing and scholarship.Given that he is addressing events that took place millennia ago, Stewart takes care not to stray to rigidity or supposition: it is simply a fact that the history and records of the time have their limitations. The chief sources, for their authority, consist of the New Testament, including the Gospel of Jesus. An honesty underpins the text, which treats the moral and historical elements of Christianity with utmost respect. How the character and events of Christ's life came to be described, and Paul's role in the development of the Christian faith, is told with accuracy.In all, we find here an engrossing, well-written and convincing narrative of St. Paul, which explains and clarifies his role and importance in the formation of Christianity.