What would happen if the interpretation of Song of Solomon were to move beyond the layered traditions of rabbinic Judaism, the theological concerns of Christian communities, or even the Enlightenment ideals of a rigorously objective secular hermeneutic? This new reading by Janet Tyson provides a fascinating answer to that question. –Timothy Paul Erdel, Bethel University The Song of Solomon is an intimate, eyewitness account of the stormy marriage between the last King of Babylon, Nabonidus, and the Egyptian princess Nitocris II. It details the couple’s seven-year stay in Tayma, Arabia, during which time the king formulated his plan to reinstate a long-defunct female priesthood at Ur, in honour of the lunar deity, Sîn. The Song was written by a female scribe, during the exodus from Babylon in c.538 BCE; she is potentially recorded elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible. Her ‘song of praise’ tells of magic, blood rites, jealousy and rivalry, contraception, miscarriage, lies and curses. It bears all the signs of an act of vengeance, for it preserves the bitter resentment of a woman who lived in the shadow of the king’s most exotic wife. Topics of interest include: * A consistent pattern of applied Ishtar/Hathor mythology * Potential insight into the function of the God’s Hand * The use of Jewish gematria * Clear allusions to the esoteric rite known today as the Elixir Rubeus * Internal chronology that mirrors the reign of Nabonidus, including a lunar eclipse * Profound parallels between Nabonidus and King Solomon * Strong connections between Herodotus and the Song’s narrative * Potential identification of the Song’s author and date of composition * Other ancient legends revealing this same interpretation

In The Vine Remembers, the vignerons—growers and workers of the vine—tell their own stories. Based on interviews with workers and small vineyard owners, the book presents the memories of vignerons from six major wine-producing areas of France: the Bordelais, Burgundy, the Beaujolais, Champagne, Languedoc, and Roussillon. Recollections range from changing living conditions to the position of women and nature of family life in viticultural society, the changing work process and the labor struggles of vineyard workers, and the changing technology of wine-making.

"Everyone knows about Noah, Moses, and Paul. But what about Hagar, Michal, and Priscilla, all women who had a direct influence in the story of God's people? The Bible is full of fascinating, powerful, and faithful women, as well as lessons that have unique meaning for women today." "In The Women's Study Bible, respected Bible scholars draw out these often overlooked stories and reveal the lives of women at the time and share lessons for women of today. Separate sidebars cover topics such as midwifery, women disciples, and female images of God. The Women's Study Bible doesn't shy away from the difficult issues, but helps readers to understand them better in both their original context and the modern world." "The New Living Translation of the Bible uses inclusive language for humanity and where it is clear that both male and female are meant to be included." --Book Jacket.

The Vine is not an apologetic. It is not a self-help book, nor is it about saving others. It may be a declaration an amalgamation of thoughts knit together with the motif of a vine a theological algorithm leading to the Churchs destiny as the Bride of Christ. The major premise of The Vine is that of Gods overarching plan and purpose for the church, the Bride of Christ. It follows a minor motif of the nature and husbandry of a grapevine. The Vine explores Gods covenants, dispensations, and revelations, upon which the life of the faith-vine dependsa novel approach to the beginning, growth, and destiny of the church. Combining the two premises leads to a fulfilling conclusion.

Challenging the received orthodoxies of social anthropology, Ifi Amadiume argues that in precolonial society, sex and gender did not necessarily coincide. Examining the structures that enabled women to achieve power, she shows that roles were neither rigidly masculinized nor feminized. Economic changes in colonial times undermined women’s status and reduced their political role and Dr Amadiume maintains, patriarchal tendencies introduced by colonialism persist today, to the detriment of women. Critical of the chauvinist stereotypes established by colonial anthropology, the author stresses the importance of recognizing women’s economic activities as as essential basis of their power. She is also critical of those western feminists who, when relating to African women, tend to accept the same outmoded projections.

As a young child in Naples, Italy, Sergio Esposito sat at his kitchen table observing the daily ritual of his large, loud family bonding over fresh local dishes and simple country wines. While devouring the rich bufala mozzarella, still sopping with milk and salt, and the platters of fresh prosciutto, sliced so thin he could see through it, he absorbed the profound relationship of food, wine, and family in Italian culture. Growing up in Albany, New York, after emigrating there with his family, he always sat next to his uncle Aldo and sipped from his wineglass during their customary hours-long extended family feasts. Thus, from a very early age, Esposito came to associate wine with the warmth of family, the tastes of his mother’s cooking—and, above all, memories of his former life in Italy. When he was in his twenties, he headed for New York and undertook a career in wine, beginning a journey that would culminate in his founding of Italian Wine Merchants, now the leading Italian wine source in America. His career offered him the opportunity to make frequent trips back to Italy to find wine for his clients, to learn the traditions of Italian winemaking, and, in so doing, to rediscover the Italian way of life he’d left behind. Passion on the Vine is Esposito’s intimate and evocative memoir of his colorful family life in Italy, his abrupt transition to life in America, and of his travels into the heart of Italy—its wine country—and the lives of those who inhabit it. The result is a remarkably engaging and entertaining wine/travel narrative replete with vivid portraits of seductive places—the world-famous cellars of Piedmont, the sweeping estates of Tuscany, the lush fields of Campania, the chilly hills of Friuli, the windy beaches of Le Marche; and of memorable people, diverse and vibrant wine artisans—from a disco-dancing vintner who bases his farming on the rhythm of the moon to an obsessive prince who destroys his vineyards before his death so that his grapes will never be used incorrectly. Esposito’s luscious accounts of the wonderful food and wine that are so much a part of Italian life, and his poignant and often hilarious stories of his relationships with his family and Italian friends, make Passion on the Vine an utterly unique and enchanting work about Italy and its eternally seductive lifestyle.

“This splendid reference describes every woman in Jewish and Christian scripture . . . monumental” (Library Journal). In recent decades, many biblical scholars have studied the holy text with a new focus on gender. Women in Scripture is a groundbreaking work that provides Jews, Christians, or anyone fascinated by a body of literature that has exerted a singular influence on Western civilization a thorough look at every woman and group of women mentioned in the Bible, whether named or unnamed, well known or heretofore not known at all. They are remarkably varied—from prophets to prostitutes, military heroines to musicians, deacons to dancers, widows to wet nurses, rulers to slaves. There are familiar faces, such as Eve, Judith, and Mary, seen anew with the full benefit of the most up-to-date results of biblical scholarship. But the most innovative aspect of this book is the section devoted to the many females who in the scriptures do not even have names. Combining rigorous research with engaging prose, these articles on women in the Hebrew Bible, the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books, and the New Testament will inform, delight, and challenge readers interested in the Bible, scholars and laypeople alike. Together, these collected histories create a volume that takes the study of women in the Bible to a new level.

THE HISTORY OF WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE - Complete 6 Volumes (Illustrated) stands as a monumental anthology in the cannon of American feminist literature, chronicling one of the most pivotal movements in the history of democracy. The collection masterfully combines an array of literary styles, from impassioned speeches and rigorous debates to intimate letters and detailed biographies, capturing the multifaceted journey towards women's suffrage. Its pages host an impressive array of perspectives, offering readers an in-depth look into the movement's complexity and the diverse strategies employed to secure women's voting rights. The significance of the anthology is further amplified by landmark pieces that have shaped and inspired generations of feminist thought. The contributing authors, Harriot Stanton Blatch, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Matilda Gage, and Ida H. Harper, are titans in the history of the American feminist movement. Each brought their unique backgrounds, beliefs, and strategies to the suffrage battle, encapsulating the movement's ideological diversity. Their collective work aligns with various historical, cultural, and literary movements, from abolitionism to the Progressive Era's reforms, illustrating how the suffrage movement was interwoven with broader social changes. This anthology not only highlights their monumental contributions but also situates the suffrage movement within a wider context of American history and feminist theory. This collection offers readers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the breadth and depth of the women's suffrage movement through the eyes of its most influential leaders. It is an essential read for anyone looking to understand the complexities of social reform movements, the evolution of feminist thought, and the persistent struggle for equality. By delving into these six illustrated volumes, readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of the suffrage movement's challenges, triumphs, and enduring legacy. The collection encourages a deep engagement with the texts, fostering an appreciation for the detailed strategy, relentless advocacy, and collective action that culminated in one of the 20th century's most significant victories for human rights.