Thomas Kelah Wharton's travel diaries provide an intimate glimpse into the society of early nineteenth-century America. As a young immigrant from England, the eldest son of a wealthy merchant who fell on hard times, Wharton (1814–1862) navigated the complex world of New York and the Hudson River Valley in the early 1830s and his diaries reveal a vibrant cultural and social scene. Wharton's details of encounters with the Hudson River School painter Thomas Cole; the author Washington Irving; Sylvanus Thayer, superintendent of the US Military Academy at West Point; the Greek Revival architect Martin E. Thompson, and many others enliven his story. Skipping two decades to 1853, Wharton—now an established professional living in New Orleans—brought his young family from New Orleans to Boston. The trip to and from Boston illuminates the joys and hazards of traveling aboard steamboats and trains, and touches on the tensions growing between North and South. The diary entries show an inquisitive, observant mind at work. A gifted pen-and-ink artist, the inclusion of Wharton's faithful drawings provide rare and wonderful views of an America from a very unique and personal perspective.

The narratives within this collection do not shy away from addressing the environmental perils faced by these rivers. Rather, they serve as a call to action, urging readers to contemplate the impact of their choices on these natural wonders and the communities that depend on them. Through these tales, we confront the realities of a changing planet and the imperative of responsible stewardship. "Our Majestic Rivers: Nature’s Lifelines" is an invitation to reflection—a journey into the heart of landscapes, cultures, and the human spirit. As readers navigate these narratives, they are encouraged to ponder the symbiotic relationship between humanity and the rivers that have been witness to our triumphs and tribulation

Rivers are not mere geographical features; they are conduits of history, carriers of culture, and architects of ecosystems. From the towering peaks of the Himalayas to the sprawling deltas of the Amazon, each river has carved its narrative, etching indelible stories into the geographies it traverses. As we embark on this literary exploration, let us navigate the currents of time, immersing ourselves in the narratives that have unfolded along the banks of the great rivers of our world. The tales woven into the fabric of this collection span the continents, from the ancient cradle of Mesopotamia, where the Tigris and Euphrates once whispered to Sumerian poets, to the expansive waterways of the Amazon, where the rainforest hums with the secrets of the mighty river. We delve into the mythologies of the Ganges, sacred and revered, carrying the spiritual aspirations of millions within its gentle ripples. The Nile, with its storied past, whispers echoes of pharaohs and pyramids, a testament to the ingenuity of ancient civilizations.

The tales woven into the fabric of this collection span the continents, from the ancient cradle of Mesopotamia, where the Tigris and Euphrates once whispered to Sumerian poets, to the expansive waterways of the Amazon, where the rainforest hums with the secrets of the mighty river. We delve into the mythologies of the Ganges, sacred and revered, carrying the spiritual aspirations of millions within its gentle ripples. The Nile, with its storied past, whispers echoes of pharaohs and pyramids, a testament to the ingenuity of ancient civilizations. In the heart of North America, the Mississippi River tells tales of exploration, trade, and the clash of cultures. Further west, the Columbia River winds through the rugged landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, a witness to the struggles and triumphs of indigenous peoples and pioneers alike. Across the Atlantic, the Thames bears witness to the ebb and flow of London's history, from Shakespearean theaters to modern financial districts.

The rivers within these stories are not confined by national boundaries or limited to a single cultural lens. They traverse diverse landscapes, carrying with them the collective wisdom of humanity. This collection seeks to embrace this diversity, offering narratives that reflect the multiplicity of voices along the riverbanks. From the sacred narratives of the Ganges to the industrial echoes of the Rhine, each story contributes to the symphony of human experience. As we immerse ourselves in this mosaic of voices, we gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness that defines our world. Amid the stories told, there are narratives left untold—the voices silenced by history, the ecosystems imperiled by neglect, and the communities marginalized by systemic inequities. This collection is a testament to the ongoing journey of inclusivity, recognizing that the river of human experience is vast and ever-evolving. It is an acknowledgment of the unseen narratives that shape our world and a commitment to amplifying voices that deserve to be heard. "Our Majestic Rivers: Nature’s Lifelines" is an invitation to embark on a literary voyage—one that mirrors the eternal journey of rivers. As we navigate these narratives, we become travelers along the currents of time, carried by the stories that have shaped the landscapes we call home. In the ripples of these tales, we discover the reflection of our shared humanity and the profound impact we have on the rivers that sustain us.

More scholarly works on the history of American philosophy have been completed in Russian than in any other language outside of our own; yet most of that body of work has not been translated or studied comprehensively. Consequently, Soviet-era efforts to understand American thought have remained almost entirely unknown to Western scholars. In his pioneering new book Interpreting America John Ryder makes available for the first time to English-speaking readers Russian views of the full range of American philosophical thought: from seventeenth-century Puritanism through the colonial and revolutionary periods, nineteenth- century idealism, pragmatism, naturalism, and other twentieth-century movements and figures. Using his own accurate translations, he clearly reconstructs a chain of core ideas, emphasizes the most essential concepts of each writer's work, and gives a multidimensional reconstruction of the arguments of each author. By taking mainstream Soviet philosophical commentators like Baskin, Bogomolov, Karimsky, Melvil, Pokrovsky, Sidorov, and Yulina seriously and letting them speak for themselves, Ryder shows not only what Soviet philosophers and scholars thought of American philosophy (and why they were so interested in the first place) but also the nuances of the internal disagreements among Soviet thinkers about what American philosophers were saying. He also reveals a strong continuity between contemporary, post-Soviet Russian philosophy and earlier Soviet work. Perhaps no other book has ever explored in such a systematic manner the ways in which one philosophical system has regarded another. Ryder's revealing study of how others have viewed us helps to clarify the depth, richness, and complexity of our own American philosophical heritage.

Insiders' Guide to North Carolina's Outer Banks is the essential source for in-depth travel and relocation information. Written by a local (and true insider), it offers a personal and practical perspective of this beautiful coastal land and its surrounding environs. Published annually, this guide is fully revised and updated and features a new interior layout and a new cover treatment.

In this fascinating new book, Affrica Taylor encourages an exciting paradigmatic shift in the ways in which childhood and nature are conceived and pedagogically deployed, and invites readers to critically reassess the naturalist childhood discourses that are rife within popular culture and early years education. Through adopting a common worlds framework, Reconfiguring the Natures of Childhood generates a number of complex and inclusive ways of seeing and representing the early years. It recasts childhood as: messy and implicated rather than pure and innocent; situated and differentiated rather than decontextualized and universal; entangled within real world relations rather than protected in a separate space. Throughout the book, the author follows an intelligent and innovative line of thought which challenges many pre-existing ideas about childhood. Drawing upon cross-disciplinary perspectives, and with international relevance, this book makes an important contribution to the field of childhood studies and early childhood education, and will be a valuable resource for scholars, postgraduate students and higher education teachers.