OGMA BOOKS

"The Judas Brief" challenges the fundamental Gospel concept that at least some leading Jews played a key role in having Jesus executed. Gary Greenberg provides a detailed examination of all Gospel accounts of hostile interaction between Jesus and the Jews, with special attention to the Jewish and Roman trials of Jesus. He then compares these Gospel reports with the historical evidence and reaches some surprising and controversial conclusions, including that: there was never any organized Jewish hostility to Jesus; the only significant opposition came from Roman authorities and that Judas was a close ally of Jesus and represented him in negotiations with the High Priest; that the High Priest tried to protect Jesus and his followers from a Roman initiated massacre. Greenburg contends that Jesus willingly agreed to surrender himself to Pilate as a hostage to insure that his followers remained passive during the holiday; that Judas and Caiaphas had expected that Jesus would be released after the holiday and that Judas committed suicide in grief over the unexpected death of Jesus and the role he had played. "The Judas Brief" may well provide modern Christian scholars and exegetes with some of the tools necessary to challenge the anti-Semitic reactions that flow from the Gospel accounts of Jewish hostility to Jesus.

The saturation of the English-speaking world with Freudian psychoanalytic concepts was due largely to one brilliant analyst, Ernest Jones. As Freuds disciple, colleague, biographer, and empire builder, he led the international psychoanalytic movement and moved its vortex from Vienna to London, and its influence to Toronto, New York, and Boston. While negotiating the ferocious politics and rivalry of the movement, Jones also managed an imposing series of liaisons that included an heiress and her maid, analysands, and a Druid Bride. Jones, unlike Freud, never had to wonder what do women want? From Joness first encounter with Freuds writings as a medical student to the eve of World War II, when he orchestrated the masters escape to London a hairsbreadth away from the death camps, Maddox lays bare a dark and creative era, and a colorfully flawed but powerfully influential man.

In the tradition of Galileo's Daughter and Brunelleschi's Dome, this exciting story illuminates the captivating world of the late Renaissance in this case its plagues, remedies, and alchemy through the life of Leonardo Fioravanti, a brilliant, remarkably forward-thinking, and utterly unconventional doctor. Fioravanti's marvelous cures and talent for self-aggrandizement earned him the adoration of the people, the scorn of the medical establishment, and a reputation as one of the age's most colorful, combative figures. Written by Pulitzer-prize nominated historian William Eamon, The Professor of Secrets entices readers into a dangerous scientific underworld of sorcerers and surgeons. Meticulously researched and engagingly written, this gripping narrative will appeal to those interested in Renaissance history, the development of science, and the historical thrillers so popular today.

"This Land Is Your Land" is the most iconic folk song in American history, and is the masterwork of one of America's greatest artists, Woody Guthrie. Written in 1940 and first recorded in 1944, the song became an instant hit, and then a point of controversy, and finally a cross-generation anthem. It's been co-opted and rewritten in many other countries. Praised for its heartfelt lyrics and accompanying pride and spirit, no folk song has made such a lasting impression on American cultureor stirred as much controversy.The book will publish to coincide with "Woody at 100" a partnership between the Grammy Museum and the Guthrie Archives to stage numerous celebratory events throughout 2012 nationwide and beyond.This Land Is Your Land is a remarkably detailed account of the journey of America's most celebrated folk song. It also details Guthrie's legendary journey from Oklahoma across the Heartland to New York City, where he wrote many of his works including "This Land Is Your Land."With more than forty rare black-and-white photographs from the Woody Guthrie archives, a removable poster, plus original interviews with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Pete Seeger, John Mellencamp, and more, This Land Is Your Land delivers a revealing portrait of an American treasure.

Greg Slaters previous book, Comprehensively Clarice Cliff, was the definitive reference book on identifying the decorative patterns in Clarice Cliffs work. This new, compact and accessible volume by Slater is the first book on collecting Clarice Cliff that shows you how to maintain and enjoy a collection as well as being a guide to the individual pieces. An essential guide for all collectors and enthusiasts of Clarice Cliffs work, and much more than a concise reference to shapes and patterns, it also provides inspiration on how to create original and harmonious displays of a collection for any occasion and shows how themes based on colour, pattern, season or style, and the use of the ceramics in a lifestyle setting, were at the centre of Clarice Cliffs creative vision.

Gardens provide us with a way to enjoy our environment and to extend our homes outwards. This book displays the fundamentals for a larger variety of designs and tips for creating outdoor spaces. These will help you to create your own natural space at home in a simple and easy way. Functions of the Garden, Contemplation, leisure, vegetables, rock gardens, Japanese, cold climates. Tips for Garden Design Organising space, foutnains and pools, designing with plants and flowers. An Ecological Garden, Patios with vegetation, irrigation, climate control, natural shade, green roofs and walls. An Urban Garden, Terraces, courtyards, balconies, indoor gardens. Home Extensions, Bathing, cooking, outdoor rooms. Garden Decorating, Outdoor furniture, lighting, accessories.

Born into a Romany gypsy family in 1939, Eva Petulengro’s childhood seemed to her to be idyllic in every way. She would travel the country with her family in their painted caravan and spend evenings by the fire as they sang and told stories of their past. She didn’t go to school or visit a doctor when she was unwell. Instead her family would gather wild herbs to make traditional remedies, hunt game and rabbits, and while the men tended horses to make a living, the young girls would join the women in reading palms. But Eva’s perfect world would be turned upside down as the countryside became increasingly hostile to all travellers. Eva describes the wonderful characters in her family, from her grandfather ‘Naughty’ Petulengro to her four beautiful aunts who entranced everyone they met, as well as the fascinating people they came across on the road. Moving, evocative, romantic and funny, The Girl in the Painted Caravan vividly captures a way of life that has now, sadly, all but disappeared.

Colin Pressdee revisits the best places to eat, taste and buy local produce. In his journey he explores the rich diversity of foodstuffs available from the countryside, coastline and sea such as artisan cheeses from Pembrokeshire, mussels from Bangor, Welsh Black beef from mid Wales, and salmon from the River Wye. Food Wales - A Second Helping features producers, farmer's markets, shops and places to eat where local foods are available throughout Wales, the UK and online. The book includes an index of contact details for all those featured. Food Wales - A Second Helping is an excellent guide to the best food and dining Wales has to offer.

Richard Wagner (1813-1883) is one of the most influential - and also one of the most controversial - composers in the history of music. Over the course of his long career, he produced a stream of spellbinding works that challenged musical convention through their richness and tonal experimentation, ultimately paving the way for modernism. This book presents an in-depth but easy-to-read overview of Wagner's life, work and times. It considers a wide range of themes, including the composer's original sources of inspiration; his fetish for exotic silks; his relationship with his wife, Cosima, and with his mistress, Mathilde Wesendonck; the anti-semitism that is undeniably present in the operas; their proto-cinematic nature; and the turbulent legacy both of the Bayreuth Festival and of Wagnerism itself. Making use of the very latest scholarship - much of it undertaken by the author himself in connection with his editorship of The Wagner Journal - Millington reassesses received notions about Wagner and his work, demolishing ill-informed opinion in favour of proper critical understanding. It is a radical - and occasionally controversial - reappraisal of this most perplexing of composers. The volume's arrangement - unique among books on the composer -combines an accessible text, intriguing images and original documents, thus ensuring a consistently fresh approach. Bringing new insights to an endlessly fascinating subject, The Sorcerer of Bayreuth will charm anyone interested in music and in the wider cultural life of the 19th century and beyond.

"The Aztec World" is an illustrated survey of the Aztecs based on insightful research by a team of international experts from the United States and Mexico. In addition to traditional subjects like cosmology, religion, human sacrifice and political history, this book covers such contemporary concerns as the environment and agriculture, health and disease, women and social status and urbanism. It also discusses the effects of European conquests on Aztec culture and society, in addition to offering modern perspectives on their civilization.The text is accompanied by colourful illustrations and photos of artefacts from the best collections in Mexico, including those of the Templo Mayor Museum and the National Museum of Anthropology, both in Mexico City, as well as pieces from archaeological sites and virtual reconstructions of lost artwork. Was £12.99 NOW £9.75

Originally appearing as an excerpt in The New Yorker, this memoir by the author of The End of Alice and Jack relates how A.M. Homes' birth parents tracked her down 30 years after she was given up for adoption. The effect of Homes meeting her biological parents was strange and unexpected, and the story is at once hilarious, heartbreaking, and absurd. She writes about the shock of experiencing biological resemblance for the first time, and the oddness of having two mothers and fathers. Homes sheds light on how we all define our sense of self; and describes her own daughter, who has helped to mend her fractured life. "To my generation of writers, Homes is a kind of hero and The Mistress's Daughter is the latest example of her fearlessness and brilliance. It is a compelling, devastating and furiously good book written with an honesty few of us would risk."

From Cerys Matthews, radio 6 DJ, ex-singer of Brit Pop band Catatonia and one of Britain's best known music devotees, comes Hook, Line and Singer, a sing-a-long book for all the family, for any occasion After more than thirty years of singing, travelling and collecting songs, Cerys Matthews still finds there's no better way to spend time than singing along in good company. In Hook, Line and Singer she invites you to join her in a grand old singalong. From songs for young families through tunes for vintage-lovers, trips away, American favourites and songs for times of optimism, ending with celebration songs for Christmas and New Year, this is a book filled with Cerys's own memories and musical arrangements. A mix of the traditional and contemporary, Hook, Line and Singer presents music and lyrics clearly so the book can be sung as well as read, offering you the stories behind the songs, their ages and origins, and the reason for their inclusion. This is a life-affirming book of the most memorable, melancholy, silliest and easiest-to-sing songs that Cerys knows, designed to keep handy at home for those moments when only a song will do. Cerys Matthews is a singer, songwriter, author and broadcaster, hosting a popular weekly radio show on BBC6 Music and appearing on The Voice with Tom Jones. A collector of songs for over thirty years, she has also written and presented documentaries on subjects such as Blue Horizon (the iconic British blues label), Sacred Harp singing and Dylan Thomas. A columnist for the number one world music magazine Songlines, she is the author of children's stories Tales from the Deep and Gelert, A Man's Best Friend. She was lead singer and songwriter for the multi-million-selling band Catatonia, and duets with Sir Tom Jones on the perennial winter favourite, 'Baby, It's Cold Outside'.

A glorious, richly informative celebration of the traditional rituals that lie behind the calendar as we know it, including Celtic feast-days, Christian holy days, Indian festivals, and much more. Traces the eight divisions in the year's natural cycle, from the Winter Solstice (the shortest day) through to All Souls' Night - with fascinating coverage of folklore and legend. Explores the meanings of festivals and calendar traditions from around the globe -including ancient Persia, Egypt, Rome, and Greece; Pagan and Christian Europe; the Americas; the Far East; and modern secular occasions such as Mother's Day. The perfect book for all lovers of nature, the countryside, and rural traditions - as well as anyone intrigued by myth, symbolism, and ceremony.

Author of Brave New World and The Doors of Perception, and inventor of the term psychedelic, Aldous Huxley was a global trend-setter ahead of his time. In this new biography Dr Kieron O'Hara explores the life of this great visionary, charting his transformation from society satirist to Californian guru-mystic through an insightful analysis of his life's work. Combining thoughtful biography, easy-to-use reading notes, and an insightful exploration of Huxley's continuing legacy, Huxley: A Beginner's Guide is the definitive introduction to one of the twentieth century's most influential thinkers.

The success of John Coldstream's bestselling biography of Dirk Bogarde demonstrates that the interest in one of Britain's leading actors, memoirists and novelists does not diminish, even though it is a decade since his death. Bogarde was a secretive man, who destroyed many of his own papers and diaries. Fortunately, the recipients of his letters treasured them, enabling John Coldstream to bring together this fascinating collection of hitherto unpublished material. Bogarde wrote to each correspondent according to the nature of the friendship, but invariably he was frank, gossipy, funny and often malicious. The joy of writing, particularly as he grew older and chose to live in France, was never far away. The letters display the qualities familiar to those who knew the private Bogarde: acute observation, laser-like intelligence, impatience with the foolish, compassion for the needy, a relish for the witty metaphor, and a catastrophic disdain for correct spelling and punctuation. Above all, to read his letters is to hear him talk, and no coversation with Dirk Bogarde was dull. Recipients included the film director Joseph Losey, Bogarde's first publisher Norah Smallwood, the film critic Dilys Powell, and the novelist Penelope Mortimer.