Many English-speaking readers of the Roman de la rose, the famous dream allegory of the thirteenth century, have come to rely on Charles Dahlberg's elegant and precise translation of the Old French text. His line-by-line rendering in contemporary English is available again, this time in a third edition with an updated critical apparatus. Readers at all levels can continue to deepen their understanding of this rich tale about the Lover and his quest--against the admonishments of Reason and the obstacles set by Jealousy and Resistance--to pluck the fair Rose in the Enchanted Garden. The original introduction by Dahlberg remains an excellent overview of the work, covering such topics as the iconographic significance of the imagery and the use of irony in developing the central theme of love. His new preface reviews selected scholarship through 1990, which examines, for example, the sources and influences of the work, the two authors, the nature of the allegorical narrative as a genre, the use of first person, and the poem's early reception. The new bibliographic material incorporates that of the earlier editions. The sixty-four miniature illustrations from thirteenth-and fifteenth-century manuscripts are retained, as are the notes keyed to the Langlois edition, on which the translation is based.

With her repulsive face and head full of living, venomous snakes, Medusa is petrifying—quite literally, since looking directly at her turned people to stone. Ever since Perseus cut off her head and presented it to Athena, she has been a woman of many forms: a dangerous female monster that had to be destroyed, an erotic power that could annihilate men, and, thanks to Freud, a woman whose hair was a nest of terrifying penises that signaled castration. She has been immortalized by artists from Leonardo da Vinci to Salvador Dalí and was the emblem of the Jacobins after the French Revolution. Today, she’s viewed by feminists as a noble victim of patriarchy and used by Versace in the designer’s logo for men’s underwear, haute couture, and exotic dinnerware. She even gives her name to a sushi roll on a Disney resort menu. Why does Medusa continue to have this power to transfix us? David Leeming seeks to answer this question in Medusa, a biography of the mythical creature. Searching for the origins of Medusa’s myth in cultures that predate ancient Greece, Leeming explores how and why the mythical figure of the gorgon has become one of the most important and enduring ideas in human history. From an oil painting by Caravaggio to Clash of the Titans and Dungeons and Dragons, he delves into the many depictions of Medusa, ultimately revealing that her story is a cultural dream that continues to change and develop with each new era. Asking what the evolution of the Medusa myth discloses about our culture and ourselves, this book paints an illuminating portrait of a woman who has never ceased to enthrall.

'What will survive of us is love.' In this new anthology poets from across the ages lead us on a journey of love in its many forms. From Shakespeare to Rossetti, Keats to Auden, Byron to Browning an beyond, as well as a host of contemporary voices including Wendy Cope, Simon Armitage and Carol Ann Duffy, this new gathering of timeless love poems speaks to the heart about this most universal of themes. Whether in marriage or heartbreak, friendship or infatuation, whether in pursuit of the unattainable ideal or else settling down together for life, whether in love or out of it, you will find poems here to touch the heart. A vital assembly of our most treasured and enduring love poems.

The 'H. L. Mencken - Premium Collection' stands as a monumental anthology that showcases the rich tapestry of early 20th-century American literature and criticism. Within its pages, readers are introduced to a diverse range of stylistic mastery and thematic exploration, epitomized by the distinct voices of George Jean Nathan and H. L. Mencken themselves. This collection offers a comprehensive look at the American cultural landscape during a transformative era, presenting standout pieces that challenge, entertain, and provoke thought. Their works serve as a testament to the vibrancy of literary and journalistic craftsmanship, illuminating the period's complexities and nuances. George Jean Nathan and H. L. Mencken, both titan figures in American literature and journalism, bring together a fusion of critical essays, satires, and reviews that reflect their unparalleled wit and insight. Their collaborations and individual contributions mark a significant era in American letters, aligning with movements such as the Progressive Era's push for social and political reform. Through their critical lenses, this collection not only celebrates their literary genius but also underscores their influence on thought and culture, highlighting their commitment to intellectual rigor and the candid examination of society. 'The H. L. Mencken - Premium Collection' offers readers an exceptional opportunity to immerse themselves in the works of two of America's most formidable writers and critics. It is an indispensable volume for those who wish to delve deeper into the heart of American cultural criticism and the art of eloquent, fearless writing. This anthology is not just a celebration of Nathan and Mencken's legacy; it is an invitation to explore a pivotal period in literature through the eyes of its most perceptive observers. It is a must-read for scholars, students, and anyone with a keen interest in the evolution of American thought and prose.

Hot and single hotel heir, Cole Belmont, wants more than anything to honor his dying father’s last wish to see him settle down with the love of his life. But love will never be on the agenda for him again since his ex-fiancée, Hope Morgan, walked out of his life and fled Belmont three years ago—without so much as a reason why, along with any dreams Cole had of true love and happily ever after. But when Hope mysteriously returns, his whole world is turned upside down again. Can Cole ever forgive her? Hope Morgan has messed up in her life—really bad. She’s fleeing from her past. A dark secret threatens to ruin her chances for a future of happiness with any man, but it is Cole Belmont she really wants. Hope returns to Belmont with her young daughter, but she still can’t come clean about what she did many years earlier…lives could be ruined—including Cole’s. Is it true that “all you need is love”? Can love keep Cole and Hope together and protect her from her dark past?