Stephen Cox

The complex and fascinating history of what it’s like “doing time” in the “Big House,” and its influence on the American imagination.“The Big House" is America’s idea of the prison—­a huge, tough, ostentatiously oppressive pile of rock, bristling with rules and punishments, overwhelming in size and the intent to intimidate. Stephen Cox tells the story of the American prison—its politics, its sex, its violence, its inability to control itself—and its idealization in American popular culture. This book investigates both the popular images of prison and the realities behind them­: problems of control and discipline, maintenance and reform, power and sexuality. It conveys an awareness of the limits of human and institutional power, and of the symbolic and iconic qualities the “Big House” has attained in America’s understanding of itself.

Christianity takes an astonishing variety of forms in America, from churches that cherish traditional modes of worship to evangelical churches and fellowships, Pentecostal churches, social-action churches, megachurches, and apocalyptic churches-congregations ministering to believers of diverse ethnicities, social classes, and sexual orientations. Nor is this diversity a recent phenomenon, despite many Americans’ nostalgia for an undeviating “faith of our fathers” in the days of yore. Rather, as Stephen Cox argues in this thought-provoking book, American Christianity is a revolution that is always happening, and always needs to happen. The old-time religion always has to be made new, and that is what Americans have been doing throughout their history. American Christianity is an engaging book, wide ranging and well informed, in touch with the living reality of America’s diverse traditions and with the surprising ways in which they have developed. Radical and unpredictable change, Cox argues, is one of the few dependable features of Christianity in America. He explores how both the Catholic Church and the mainline Protestant churches have evolved in ways that would make them seem alien to their adherents in past centuries. He traces the rise of uniquely American movements, from the Mormons to the Seventh-day Adventists and Jehovah’s Witnesses, and brings to life the vivid personalities-Aimee Semple McPherson, Billy Sunday, and many others-who have taken the gospel to the masses. He sheds new light on such issues as American Christians’ intense but constantly changing political involvements, their controversial revisions in the style and substance of worship, and their chronic expectation that God is about to intervene conclusively in human life. Asserting that “a church that doesn’t promise new beginnings can never prosper in America,“ Cox demonstrates that American Christianity must be seen not as a sociological phenomenon but as the ever-changing story of individual people seeking their own connections with God, constantly reinventing their religion, making it more volatile, more colorful, and more fascinating.

Stories about UFOs witnessed by military personnel during the 64-year “campaign of lies”, including specific military reactions to the UFO phenomena since 1947. This collection of UFO reports from pilots, astronauts, and other government officials, compiled by Dr. Stephen Cox, a former federal law enforcement officer and U. S. Navy veteran, will prove to you that UFOs not only are real but have been here for a long time. Take an in-depth look at the US Government’s reactions to UFO phenomena since 1947. Find out what happens when military aircraft fire upon a UFO and whether these aircraft are a threat to our national security. Be there with military and civilian pilots, military personnel, and others who have had encounters with UFOs. Learn about the sighting at a Washington, D. C., conference, read Department of Defense memos, find out about military weapons being developed to fight aliens. Approach the threshold of the unknown. It’s time you learned the truth about UFOs.

The Three Stooges defied nearly every law of show business there was. In a career that spanned forty years, they made more than two hundred films, entertained generations of fans, and ultimately became an integral part of American popular culture. One Fine Stooge, the poignant life story of Larry Fine—the frizzy-haired member of the classic comedy offers a behind-the-scenes look at these manic high priests of low comedy. Discovered and dusted off thirty yers after Larry Fine's death, his personal notes, clippings, interviews, and career memorabilia provide a portrait of his life and the lives of the other Stooges. The result is an unparalleled visual history of the most prolific comedy trio in entertainment annals. Like them or not, the Three Stooges remain unique motion picture icons of the greatest renown. This is their story as revealed by Larry, in his own words, augmented by fascinating anecdotes from family members and friends. Behind his comic mask was a life that blended fame and fortune, bad luck and tragedy. This tumultuous trip through Larry Fine's years in film is based on his memoirs, now published for the first time, along with his astonishing collection of rare photographs—including fifty images in full color.

The New Testament is perhaps the most influential book in the world from both an intellectual and literary standpoint. Still, few readers understand how to read the New Testament as a piece of literature. The New Testament and Literature acts as a guide, focusing on the underlying patterns that combine ideas with literary devices. The book identifies the literary formulas in the New Testament and shows how these elements have shaped English and American literature.

Paperback release of 2003 holiday bestseller which offers behind the scenes info on this holiday classic as well as current info on stars from the show.

Paperback release of 2003 holiday bestseller which offers behind the scenes info on this holiday classic as well as current info on stars from the show.

Novelist, columnist, cultural critic, political theorist-- Isabel Paterson was one of the most extraordinary personalities of the 1930s, renowned for her incisive wit and her unique interpretation of the American experience. The Woman and the Dynamo is the first biography of a woman who has long been a source of rumor and legend. From interviews, private papers, and her millions of published words, Stephen Cox weaves a narrative that brings Paterson vividly to life. A radical individualist in both theory and practice, Paterson spent her early life on the Western frontier, "lavished" two years on formal education, set a record for high-altitude flight, became a journalist by "accident," and made herself a fearless chronicler and conscience of New York literary life. At the same time, she made a permanent contribution to American political thought. Paterson identified the fundamental issues at stake in the crises of the twentieth century and responded with an original theory of history and political economy. In her view, the individual mind is the dynamo of history, working through the "long circuit" of institutions that maintain and enhance individual liberty; and America is the place where the advanced forms of those institutions were invented and are currently undergoing their severest trial. While other intellectuals derided the American ideal of progress and called for the restraint or abolition of the capitalist system, Paterson demanded a scrupulous application of the "engineering principles" on which American civilization had been built. The Woman and the Dynamo provides one of the few broad and detailed accounts of the origins of the American political Right, emphasizing the special role that women and imaginative writers played in its creation, and posing new questions about what it means to be "left" or "right," "liberal" or "conservative" in America. This will be compelling reading for those interested in twentieth century intellectual history, literature, and politics.

Come and listen to the story 'bout a man named Jed" and the rest of the colorful Clampett family, perhaps television's most unlikely phenomenon to spring from the sixties. Hated by the critics but enthusiastically embraced by audiences around the world, to this day The Beverly Hillbillies still holds the Nielsen record for the highest rated half-hour show in the history of television. Over the years, the original television hit has inspired several highly rated network specials, an E True Hollywood Story two-hour documentary, and even a big-screen motion picture from 20th Century Fox in 1993. Just in time to join the fortieth anniversary celebration of the classic television sitcom, The Beverly Hillbillies is filled with all the hillbilly country corn anyone could expect. Updated and expanded from the first edition, published in 1988, it is the ultimate TV book. Readers will also find hundreds of photographs, including 16 pages of color, fascinating trivia, behind-the-scenes stories, exclusive contributions from Paul Henning, the show's creator, a list of Granny's fixin's, the story of the popular theme song, Elly May's critters, Jethro's "Double-Naught" secrets, and an introduction by 93-year-old Buddy Ebsen, who played Jed Clampett in the series. Also included are a complete episode guide, cast biographies with all the inside scoop, and highlights from guest stars (John Wayne, Gloria Swanson, Sammy Davis Jr., and others). The Beverly Hillbillies is still shown every day on cable television's Nick at Night. This fortieth anniversary edition of the book will become a collector's item for all who loved and love the show. There's more here than you can shake a possum at. Sit a spell."

The sinking of the Titanic is a subject of perennial fascination. Yet, argues the author of this book, the real Titanic story is even more intensely thought-provoking than the conventional version, overlaid with cliche and myth. He re-tells the story, focusing on a few individuals caught up in the disaster. He aims to make his book another angle of inquiry into the facts and the moral issues.

A lively, accessible, and practical book of suggestions for ways in which tutors can manage their workloads (and stress levels) and help students manage theirs. The ability to cope with stress is not merely a question of 'making it through the day'. When pressures are managed effectively the need not contribute to the burden of maintaining standards in a time of diminishing resources. resources. Aimed at teachers in further and higher education, it will also be of benefit to school teachers.

Heyyyyy Aaaaaabbott! Who's on first? It's Abbott & Costello, of course! Although it has been nearly 60 years since Bud Abbot and Lou Costello began filling American movie houses, their work has proven timeless. The Abbott & Costello Story is a fond, authoritative tribute to the duo who made "Who," "What," and "I Don't Know" the most hilarious names ever batted around on the silver screen. Carefully researched, with interviews from their close friends, relatives, and coworkers, The Abbott & Costello Story is a captivating portrait of the lives, laughs, and legend of America's best-loved comedy team.