Christopher Peachment's Books

Caravaggio

A Novel

By: Christopher Peachment

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My sight was always good. But color now takes on even greater riches. I no longer need the bright blues and reds, which I did so delight in when I was young. I see a hundred times more beauty now in a dark brown, or the pale tints of quiet flesh. Or a ray of light across a fur or a beaten earth floor or a suit of black armor. Such colors do not distract the eye, but rather let it concentrate on my forte, the human face. There I will have my theater, there my drama, there my applause. Peachment's imagined Caravaggio, while still a child, overhears his parents discussing one of his sketches, and realizes he has a talent that sets him apart from the world. He leaves family and home forever to map out a solitary traveler's life. Caravaggio became a revolutionary of his time, a rebellious and dangerous man to know, a man governed by his genius, his indiscriminate sexual appetite, and his murderous rage. He was sought far and wide in the late Renaissance world for his art, and there was a price on his head for at least one murder. This is Caravaggio's confession, told in humorous, blasphemous, often brutal prose, which cleverly beguiles the reader into understanding the art that was so celebrated and the life that caused so much outrage. Peachment's Caravaggio is a gripping story of one man's determination to grapple with the truth as he journeys through Rome, Naples, Malta, and Sicily, encounters lovers and enemies, endures madness, exile, and imprisonment, and faces a final showdown with the Vatican Secret Service. His account is poignant and spirited. It is an adventurous and thoroughly enthralling insight into the mind of a creative genius and the violent world that inspired his paintings.

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253

Publisher

Macmillan

Published Date

ISBN 10

146686351X

ISBN 13

9781466863514

The Green and the Gold

A Novel of Andrew Marvell: Spy, Politician, Poet

By: Christopher Peachment

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The Green and the Gold

A Novel of Andrew Marvell: Spy, Politician, Poet

By: Christopher Peachment

In The Green and the Gold, his second historical novel, Christopher Peachment introduces us to Andrew Marvell, the beguiling 17th century poet and writer of "To His Coy Mistress", also a spy and politician. Marvell delightfully captured in his metaphysical poetry every aspect of love lost and gained. And yet, ironically, the man himself was a solitary figure whose reflections and tremendous insight allowed beauty to spill from an otherwise lonely existence. Peachment's Marvell allows us to witness those aspects of his life that we never would glean from history alone, as we follow him throughout his childhood, his travels in Europe, his firsthand experiences of the Cromwellian Civil War, and his endless battle between a deep-seated suspicion of women and a passionate yearning for them.

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370

Publisher

Macmillan

Published Date

ISBN 10

1466863528

ISBN 13

9781466863521

The Unitary Executive

Presidential Power from Washington to Bush

By: Steven G. Calabresi,Christopher S. Yoo

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The Unitary Executive

Presidential Power from Washington to Bush

By: Steven G. Calabresi,Christopher S. Yoo

This book is the first to undertake a detailed historical and legal examination of presidential power and the theory of the unitary executive. This theory--that the Constitution gives the president the power to remove and control all policy-making subordinates in the executive branch--has been the subject of heated debate since the Reagan years. To determine whether the Constitution creates a strongly unitary executive, Steven G. Calabresi and Christopher S. Yoo look at the actual practice of all forty-three presidential administrations, from George Washington to George W. Bush. They argue that all presidents have been committed proponents of the theory of the unitary executive, and they explore the meaning and implications of this finding.

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558

Publisher

Yale University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0300145381

ISBN 13

9780300145380

Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Supreme Court

By: Artemus Ward,Christopher Brough,Robert Arnold

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Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Supreme Court

By: Artemus Ward,Christopher Brough,Robert Arnold

The US Supreme Court is an institution that operates almost totally behind closed doors. This book opens those doors by providing a comprehensive look at the justices, procedures, cases, and issues over the institution’s more than 200-year history. The Court is a legal institution born from a highly politicized process. Modern justices time their departures to coincide with favorable administrations and the confirmation process has become a highly-charged political spectacle played out on television and in the national press. Throughout its history, the Court has been at the center of the most important issues facing the nation: federalism, separation of powers, war, slavery, civil rights, and civil liberties. Through it all, the Court has generally, though not always, reflected the broad views of the American people as the justices decide the most vexing issues of the day. The Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Supreme Court covers its history through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 700 cross-referenced entries on every justice, major case, issue, and process that comprises the Court’s work. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the Supreme Court.

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Page Count

687

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield

Published Date

ISBN 10

0810875217

ISBN 13

9780810875210

The Path of American Public Policy

Comparative Perspectives

By: Anne Marie Cammisa,Paul Christopher Manuel

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The Path of American Public Policy

Comparative Perspectives

By: Anne Marie Cammisa,Paul Christopher Manuel

Among all the worlds’ democracies, the American system of government is perhaps the most self-conscious about preventing majority tyranny. The American constitutional system is predicated on an inherent ideational and institutional tension dating back to the foundation of the nation in the eighteenth century, which constrains innovative policy development. Namely, the framers designed a system that simultaneously seeks to protect the rights of the minority out of power and provide for majority rule. These opposing goals are based on the idea that limiting governmental power will guarantee individual liberty. The Path of American Public Policy: Comparative Perspectives asks how this foundational tension might limit the range of options available to American policy makers. What does the resistance to change in Washington teach us about the American system of checks and balances? Why is it so difficult (though not impossible) to make sweeping policy changes in the United States? How could things be different? What would be the implications for policy formation if the United States adopted a British-style parliamentary system? To examine these questions, this book gives an example of when comprehensive change failed (the 1994 Contract with America) and when it succeeded (the 2010 Affordable Care Act). A comparison of the two cases sheds light on how and why Obama’s health care was shepherded to law under Nancy Pelosi, while Newt Gingrich was less successful with the Contract with America. The contrast between the two cases highlights the balance between majority rule and minority rights, and how the foundational tension constrains public-policy formation. While 2010 illustrates an exception to the rule about comprehensive policy change in the United States, the 1994 is an apt example of how our system of checks and balances usually works to stymie expansive, far-reaching legislative initiatives.

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Page Count

239

Publisher

Lexington Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

0739186604

ISBN 13

9780739186602

Judicial Politics in the D.C. Circuit Court

By: Christopher P. Banks

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Judicial Politics in the D.C. Circuit Court

By: Christopher P. Banks

In this new book, political scientist Christopher Banks explains that this unique role evolved largely as a result of the politics of the nation's capital." "Because there are few books on circuit courts and their impact upon national politics and law, Judicial Politics in the D.C. Circuit Court will be a welcome addition to the literature. It is a book for political scientists, legal scholars, and students."--BOOK JACKET.

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Page Count

224

Publisher

JHU Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0801861845

ISBN 13

9780801861840

The Early Republic and Antebellum America

An Encyclopedia of Social, Political, Cultural, and Economic History

By: Christopher G. Bates

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The Early Republic and Antebellum America

An Encyclopedia of Social, Political, Cultural, and Economic History

By: Christopher G. Bates

First Published in 2015. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an Informa company.

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Page Count

1453

Publisher

Routledge

Published Date

ISBN 10

1317457404

ISBN 13

9781317457404

Why We Fight

The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace

By: Christopher Blattman

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Why We Fight

The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace

By: Christopher Blattman

“Why We Fight reflects Blattman’s expertise in economics, political science, and history… Blattman is a great storyteller, with important insights for us all.” —Richard H. Thaler, winner of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences and coauthor of Nudge “Engaging and profound, this deeply searching book explains the true origins of warfare, and it illustrates the ways that, despite some contrary appearances, human beings are capable of great goodness.”—Nicholas A. Christakis author of Blueprint: The Evolutionary Origins of a Good Society Why did Russia attack Ukraine? Will China invade Taiwan and launch WWIII? Why has the number of civil wars reached their highest level in decades? Why are so many cities in the Americas plagued with violence? And finally, what can any of us do about it? It feels like we’re surrounded by violence. Each conflict seems unique and insoluble. With a reason for every war and a war for every reason, what hope is there for peace? Fortunately, it’s simpler than that. Why We Fight boils down decades of economics, political science, psychology, and real-world interventions, giving us some counterintuitive answers to the question of war. The first is that most of the time we don’t fight. Around the world, there are millions of hostile rivalries, yet only a fraction erupt into violence. Most enemies loathe one another in peace. The reason is simple: war is too costly to fight. It’s the worst way to settle our differences. In those rare instances when fighting ensues, that means we have to ask ourselves: What kept rivals from the normal, grudging compromise? The answer is always the same: It’s because a society or its leaders ignored those costs of war, or were willing to pay them. Why We Fight shows that there are just five ways this happens. From warring states to street gangs, ethnic groups and religious sects to political factions, Christopher Blattman shows that there are five reasons why violent conflict occasionally wins over compromise. Through Blattman’s time studying Medellín, Chicago, Liberia, Northern Ireland, and more, we learn the common logics driving vainglorious monarchs, dictators, mobs, pilots, football hooligans, ancient peoples, and fanatics. Why We Fight shows that war isn’t a series of errors, accidents, and emotions gone awry. There are underlying strategic, ideological, and institutional forces that are too often overlooked. So how to get to peace? Blattman shows that societies are surprisingly good at interrupting and ending violence when they want to—even gangs do it. The best peacemakers tackle the five reasons, shifting incentives away from violence and getting rivals back to dealmaking. And they do so through tinkering, not transformation. Realistic and optimistic, this is a book that lends new meaning to the adage “Give peace a chance.”

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Page Count

401

Publisher

Penguin

Published Date

ISBN 10

1984881590

ISBN 13

9781984881595

VCs Western Front 1915

By: Peter F. Batchelor,Christopher Matson

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VCs Western Front 1915

By: Peter F. Batchelor,Christopher Matson

The predictions of the war 'being over by Christmas' turned out to be far from the truth. By January 1915 the British Expeditionary Force found themselves trapped in the murderous stalemate of trench warfare. British troops had suffered badly in the early campaigns and by January 1915 were holding some 30 miles of trench.The year 1915 was to witness some of the bloodiest and bitter battles of the Great War, including the first blooding at Neuve Chapelle, the Second Battle of Ypres and the appaling failure of Loos. By the end of the summer almost 50,000 men of Kitchener's Army had been killed.This book tells the story of the 67 VC winners from this period on the Western Front. Each of their stories are different and 20 medals were awarded posthumously. However, they all have one thing in common - acts of extraordinary bravery under fire.

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Page Count

349

Publisher

The History Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0752487485

ISBN 13

9780752487489

Stay Tuned

A History of American Broadcasting

By: Christopher H. Sterling,John Michael Kittross

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Stay Tuned

A History of American Broadcasting

By: Christopher H. Sterling,John Michael Kittross

Since its initial publication in 1978, Stay Tuned has been recognized as the most comprehensive and useful single-volume history of American broadcasting and electronic media available. This third edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to bring the story of American broadcasting forward to the 21st century, affording readers not only the history of the most important and pervasive institution affecting our society, but also providing a contextual transition to the Internet and other modern media. The enthusiasm of authors Christopher H. Sterling and John Michael Kittross is apparent as they lead readers through the development of American electronic mass media, from the first electrical communication (telegraph and telephone); through radio and television; to the present convergence of media, business entities, programming, and delivery systems, including the Internet. Their presentation is engaging, as well as informative, promoting an interest in history and making the connections between the developments of yesterday and the industry of today. Features of this third edition include: *chronological and topical tables of contents; *new material reflecting modern research in the field; *a new chapter describing historical developments from 1988 through to the current day; *an expanded bibliography, including Web site and museum listings; *an updated and expanded glossary and chronology; and *extensive statistical data of the development of television and radio stations, networks, advertising, programming, audiences, and other aspects of broadcasting. Designed for use in undergraduate and graduate courses on the history of American mass media, broadcasting, and electronic media, Stay Tuned also fits well into mass communication survey courses as an introduction to electronic media topics. As a chronicle of American broadcasting, this volume is also engaging reading for anyone interested in old radio, early television, and the origins and development of American broadcasting.

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Page Count

1006

Publisher

Routledge

Published Date

ISBN 10

1135685118

ISBN 13

9781135685119

The Mouse That Roared

By: Christopher Sergel,Leonard Wibberley

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The Mouse That Roared

By: Christopher Sergel,Leonard Wibberley

A whimsical cross between Kubrick and Kafka, "The Mouse That Roared" is a quirky classic of world literature, a poignant tale of political morality, and a hilarious, ultimately triumphant portrait of international relations from the perspective of the little guy.

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140

Publisher

Dramatic Publishing

Published Date

ISBN 10

0871294559

ISBN 13

9780871294555

Things of the Hidden God

Journey to the Holy Mountain

By: Christopher Merrill

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Things of the Hidden God

Journey to the Holy Mountain

By: Christopher Merrill

If I had learned anything during the war, it was that our walk in the sun is brief, and so I resolved to wander from monastery to monastery, a sojourner in the world of last things." So poet and journalist Christopher Merrill tells us near the beginning of this gripping account of the transforming pilgrimages he made to Mount Athos, in Greece, in the aftermath of the Balkan wars of the 1990s. "It was time for me to come to terms with the way my life had turned out: the love I had squandered, the misgivings I had about my vocation and my faith, the dread I felt at every turn." In despair and longing to end his spiritual desolation, Merrill became one of a handful of visitors permitted entry to Mount Athos--a mysterious land that for more than a thousand years has been the secret heart of the Eastern Orthodox Church. There, amid the beautiful terrain, the ancient rhythms, and the spiritual rigor of this holy place, he found a haven. As Merrill's story unfolds, we, too, hike the rough trails of Athos, exploring a place and a way of life scarcely altered since medieval times. We share encounters with monks and spiritual seekers; visit Athos's twenty monasteries, where exquisite art treasures are sequestered; make our way to lonely hermitages that clutch the cliffs above the sea. Like Merrill, we come to consider existence in a new and different light. Part journal of personal discovery, part meditation upon the history and traditions of the contemplative life, Things of the Hidden God takes us where the temporal and the eternal intersect, where community and solitude coexist, and where centuries-old practices offer insight for how to live today.

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301

Publisher

Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1498292526

ISBN 13

9781498292528

Unparalleled Reforms

China's Rise, Russia's Fall, and the Interdependence of Transition

By: Christopher Marsh

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Unparalleled Reforms

China's Rise, Russia's Fall, and the Interdependence of Transition

By: Christopher Marsh

The reforms of the Soviet and Chinese communist regimes were unparalleled-both in the radical, precedent-setting reforms attempted by the two countries and in the outcomes of these attempts. While the Soviet Union collapsed quickly in the midst of its reforms, more than a decade later China, the world's most populous country, still stands as a testament to the resilience of Communist rule. It is this phenomenon that Christopher Marsh explores in Unparalleled Reforms. Marsh goes beyond simply discussing the differing initial conditions, the sequencing of reform, and cultural differences to also consider the objectives and intentions of the policy makers and leaders that directed the reform processes and the interdependent nature of politics on the world stage. Unparalleled Reforms offers the reader a sophisticated understanding of the nature of political reform and develops a theoretical model that can account for commonly overlooked factors that affect political processes in all types of political systems. In a class all its own, this is an important work for scholars interested in comparative politics, international relations, economics, Asian studies, and Russian studies.

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Page Count

208

Publisher

Lexington Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

0739112880

ISBN 13

9780739112885

Book's by Christopher Peachment

Caravaggio

Caravaggio

The Green and the Gold

The Green and the Gold

The Unitary Executive

The Unitary Executive

Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Supreme Court

Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Supreme Court

The Path of American Public Policy

The Path of American Public Policy

Judicial Politics in the D.C. Circuit Court

Judicial Politics in the D.C. Circuit Court

The Early Republic and Antebellum America

The Early Republic and Antebellum America

Why We Fight

Why We Fight

VCs Western Front 1915

VCs Western Front 1915

Stay Tuned

Stay Tuned

The Mouse That Roared

The Mouse That Roared

Things of the Hidden God

Things of the Hidden God

Unparalleled Reforms

Unparalleled Reforms

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