Michael Williams

What was distinctive about Christian biography in late antiquity? In this book, Dr Williams examines a range of biographies of prominent Christians written in the fourth and fifth centuries, and suggests that they share a purpose and function which sets them apart from their non-Christian equivalents. This was an age in which the lives of saints first emerged as a literary phenomenon, and a broad perspective on this developing genre is complemented by close readings of more problematic works such as Eusebius of Caesarea's Life of Constantine and the Confessions of Augustine of Hippo. In including such idiosyncratic examples, the aim is to provide a definition of Christian biography which extends beyond mere hagiography, and which expresses an understanding of the world and the place of individuals within it. It was a world in which lives might be authored by Christians, but could be authorised only by God.

'A trip back in time' DAILY TELEGRAPHA love of railways, a love of history, a love of nostalgia.______________________________Get ready to board the slow train to another era, to a time when travel meant more than hurrying from one place to the next. On the Slow Train will reconnect you with that long-missed need for escape, and reminds us to lift our heads from the daily grind and remember that there are still places in Britain where we can take the time to stop and stare. This book is a paean to another age: before milk churns, train porters and cats on seats were replaced by security announcements and Burger King wrappers. These 12 spectacular journeys will help free us from what Baudelaire denounced as 'the horrible burden of time.'___________________________________'Captivating' SUNDAY EXPRESS'Deep in our soul, the railways represent an idyll that we love' INDEPENDENT'A magical world, barely changed since the golden age of rail' DAILY MAIL'Superb' RAILYWAY MAGAZINE'Memory lane . . . An intriguing social snapshot' HERITAGE RAILWAY

This is a detailed study of how the Somerset Levels, originally a large tract of marsh, were drained and reclaimed to becomes one of the most agriculturally productive areas of south-west England. The story of the draining of this region brings to light significant comparisons and contrasts with other reclaimed lowlands and extends our knowledge of one of the processes by which the British landscape has changed. This is an important book, which brings together information on an area that has until now received very little attention; it also shows just how early massive reclamation began. It will be of interest to both geographers and historians.

Discover the hymns that influenced US presidents. ""Presidential Praise: Our Presidents and Their Hymns"" offers the most comprehensive coverage ever written of the influence of hymns on the lives and administrations of America's presidents. Each chapter begins with Michael Williams' concise presentation of each president's path to the White House and his accomplishments and failures as president. D. Edward Spann then introduces how each president regarded music, whether or not he was musical, and music in the White House during each president's administration. These hymns may be related to developments in the life of the president, including his spiritual journey, major decisions he had to make as president, or even his selection of the inaugural Scripture. Spann then tells the story of how the hymn was written, both the words and the music. Presenting this scholarly material in an inspiring manner is part of the delight of the book. In doing so, the book covers a panorama of hymnody from 1614 to the 1980s. After an interpretation of the words, it is demonstrated why the chosen hymns were meaningful to each president. The format of each chapter reveals this special emphasis that can't be found elsewhere.

What was distinctive about Christian biography in late antiquity? In this book, Dr Williams examines a range of biographies of prominent Christians written in the fourth and fifth centuries, and suggests that they share a purpose and function which sets them apart from their non-Christian equivalents. This was an age in which the lives of saints first emerged as a literary phenomenon, and a broad perspective on this developing genre is complemented by close readings of more problematic works such as Eusebius of Caesarea's Life of Constantine and the Confessions of Augustine of Hippo. In including such idiosyncratic examples, the aim is to provide a definition of Christian biography which extends beyond mere hagiography, and which expresses an understanding of the world and the place of individuals within it. It was a world in which lives might be authored by Christians, but could be authorised only by God.

A Dictionary of Law Enforcement is the only dictionary available with a primary focus on UK law enforcement terms. Succinct and practical in its approach, it contains over 3,400 entries covering ever aspect of this diverse field, including terms related to law, pathology, forensic medicine, accountancy, insurance, shipping, commerce and trade, criminology, and psychology. Entries are supported by a wealth of practical information, including (where appropriate) citations and references to statutes and legislation. In addition to the definitions, the dictionary also contains five useful appendices: Abbreviations and Acronyms, Recordable Offences, Disclosure Code, Disclosure Guidelines and Disclosure Protocol.. Written by two former police officers, both now lecturers in law and criminal investigation, the dictionary fills a significant gap in the law market and will be invaluable to police officers and trainee officers, students and lecturers of criminology, criminal justice, and police studies, and other professionals needing clear definitions of law enforcement terms.

This book examines the role of culture in contemporary security policies, providing a critical overview of the ways in which culture has been theorized in security studies. Developing a theoretical framework that stresses the relationship between culture, power, security and strategy, the volume argues that cultural practices have been central to transformations in European and US security policy in the wake of the Cold War – including the evolution of NATO and the expansion of the EU. Michael C. Williams maintains that cultural practices continue to play powerful roles in international politics today, where they are essential to grasping the ascendance of neoconservatism in US foreign policy. Investigating the rise in popularity of culture and constructivism in security studies in relation to the structure and exercise of power in post-Cold War security relations, the book contends that this poses significant challenges for considering the connection between analytic and political practices, and the relationship between scholarship and power in the construction of security relations. Culture and Security will be of interest to students and researchers in the fields of international relations, security studies and European politics.

This book examines the role of culture in contemporary security policies, providing a critical overview of the ways in which culture has been theorized in security studies. Developing a theoretical framework that stresses the relationship between culture, power, security and strategy, the volume argues that cultural practices have been central to transformations in European and US security policy in the wake of the Cold War – including the evolution of NATO and the expansion of the EU. Michael C. Williams maintains that cultural practices continue to play powerful roles in international politics today, where they are essential to grasping the ascendance of neoconservatism in US foreign policy. Investigating the rise in popularity of culture and constructivism in security studies in relation to the structure and exercise of power in post-Cold War security relations, the book contends that this poses significant challenges for considering the connection between analytic and political practices, and the relationship between scholarship and power in the construction of security relations. Culture and Security will be of interest to students and researchers in the fields of international relations, security studies and European politics.

Delight in each passing moment with author Michael Williams, as he celebrates the trials, triumphs and discoveries of living through his poetry. In the Light of Day is a remarkable collection of memories, messages, conversations and experiences that chronicle life lessons from childhood to adulthood from a father to his children. The verses of In the Light of Day are more than a father's advice to his sons; they are a man's hopeful glimpse into a future of promise for all children. It is truly a tribute to the strength of the human spirit, and a reminder to every reader that dreams are meant to be realized, futures are meant to be built and that anything can be accomplished if you believe. In the Light of Day is one of the few books written from a father's perspective to his children, providing a unique view that has yet to be thoroughly explored in the genre of poetry. The universality of this wonderful collection of poems lends itself to readers young and old, at any stage in their life, and most importantly, reminds us all that "It is a miracle that love only remembers what remains in the light of day".

Published in 2002, "Deforesting the Earth" was a landmark study of the history and geography of deforestation. Now available as an abridgement, this edition retains the breadth of the original while rendering its arguments accessible to a general readership. Deforestation - the thinning, changing, and wholesale clearing of forests for fuel, shelter, and agriculture - is among the most important ways humans have transformed the environment. Surveying ten thousand years to trace human-induced deforestation's effect on economies, societies, and landscapes around the world, "Deforesting the Earth" is the pre-eminent history of this process and its consequences. Beginning with the return of the forests after the ice age to Europe, North America, and the tropics, Michael Williams traces the impact of human-set fires for gathering and hunting, land clearing for agriculture, and other activities from the Paleolithic age through the classical world and the medieval period. He then focuses on forest clearing both within Europe and by European imperialists and industrialists abroad, from the 1500s to the early 1900s, in such places as the New World, India, and Latin America, and considers indigenous clearing in India, China, and Japan. Finally, he covers the current alarming escalation of deforestation, with our ever-increasing human population placing a potentially unsupportable burden on the world's forests.

What is epistemology or 'the theory of knowledge'? What is it really about? Why does it matter? What makes theorising about knowledge 'philosophical'? Why do some philosophers argue that epistemology - perhaps even philosophy itself - is dead? In this exciting and original introduction, Michael Williams shows how epistemological theorizing is sensitive to a range of questions about the nature, limits, methods, and value of knowing. He pays special attention to the challenge of philosophical scepticism: does our 'knowledge' rest on brute assumptions? Does the rational outlook undermine itself? Williams explains and criticises all the main contemporary philopsophical perspectives on human knowledge, such as foundationalism, the coherence theory, and 'naturalistic' theories. As an alternative to all of them, he defends his distinctive contextualist approach. While accessible to the undergraduate and general reader, this book contains Williams' own original ideas and is essential reading for all philosophers concerned with the theory of knowledge.

Find out how any investor can use options to lock in fast trading profits - and decrease portfolio risk. Options are today's most complex, versatile investment tool. Ignored by investors who see them as an aggressive, no-limits trading gambit - which they definitely can be - options can, in addition, provide conservative investors with risk-hedging qualities available nowhere else. One thing is certain: all investors who trade options, regardless of their goals and strategies, quickly learn that the leverage provided by options opens the door to a world of innovative, profitable trading possibilities." Fundamentals of the Options Market" is a step-by-step guidebook for gaining increased trading profits - while protecting against market downturns - by using listed stock options, index options, and LEAPS. Plain-English analyses and explanations combine with quizzes, checklists, charts, graphs, and more to reveal: how to open an options account, map out your strategy, and place your first trade; trading tools - from synthetics to Greeks - for protecting positions and exploiting any market; and, tips of the trade - how to remain focused, keep control of risks, and manage your options position. From hands-on basics to advanced technical skills, "Fundamentals of the Stock Market" will provide everything you need to profit from options in today's volatile markets. Let this hands-on book - along with its companion fundamentals of investing guides - help you build the skills and confidence for options trading success ...before you risk money in the no-room-for-error waters of real-time trading! Hone your trading skills with McGraw-Hill's "Fundamentals of Investing" series! Other titles include: "Fundamentals of the Stock Market" by O'Neill Wyss "Fundamentals of the Futures Market" by Donna Kline "Fundamentals of the Bond Market" by Esme Faerber.