An unforgettable depiction of the Roman empire at the height of its power and reach, and an elegantly sensational retelling of the lives and times of the twelve Caesars One of the them was a military genius, one murdered his mother and fiddled while Rome burned, another earned the nickname "sphincter artist". Six of their number were assassinated, two committed suicide—and five of them were elevated to the status of gods. They have come down to posterity as the "twelve Caesars"—Julius Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian. Under their rule, from 49 BC to AD 96, Rome was transformed from a republic to an empire, whose model of regal autocracy would survive in the West for more than a thousand years. Matthew Dennison offers a beautifully crafted sequence of colorful biographies of each emperor, triumphantly evoking the luxury, license, brutality, and sophistication of imperial Rome at its zenith. But as well as vividly recreating the lives, loves, and vices of this motley group of despots, psychopaths and perverts, he paints a portrait of an era of political and social revolution, of the bloody overthrow of a proud, five-hundred-year-old political system and its replacement by a dictatorship which, against all the odds, succeeded more convincingly than oligarchic democracy in governing a vast international landmass.
A dazzling new biography of Vita Sackville-West, the 20th century aristocrat, literary celebrity, devoted wife, famous lover of Virginia Woolf, recluse, and iconoclast who defied categorization. In this stunning new biography of Vita Sackville-West, Matthew Dennison's Behind the Mask traces the triumph and contradictions of Vita's extraordinary life. His narrative charts a fascinating course from Vita's lonely childhood at Knole, through her affectionate but ‘open' marriage to Harold Nicolson (during which both husband and wife energetically pursued homosexual affairs, Vita most famously with Virginia Woolf), and through Vita's literary successes and disappointments, to the famous gardens the couple created at Sissinghurst. The book tells how, from her privileged world of the aristocracy, Sackville-West brought her penchant for costume, play-acting and rebellion to the artistic vanguard of modern Britain. Dennison is the acclaimed author of many books including a biography of Queen Victoria. Here, in the first biography to be written of Vita for thirty years, he reveals the whole story and gets behind ‘the beautiful mask' of Vita's public achievements to reveal an often troubled persona which heroically resisted compromise on every level. Drawing on wideranging sources and the extensive letters that sustained her marriage, this is a compelling story of love, loss and jealousy, of high-life and low points, of binding affection and illicit passion – a portrait of an extraordinary, 20th-century life.
A brilliant study of a brilliant woman' LUCY WORSLEY History has forgotten Caroline of Ansbach, yet in her lifetime she was compared frequently to Elizabeth I and considered by some as ‘the cleverest queen consort Britain ever had’.
A chronicle of Queen Victoria's youngest child, Beatrice, explores the close relationship between the princess and her mother, her romance with Prince Henry of Battenberg, and her role as literary executer after her mother's death.
Monarchy in Britain is a mindset - sociological and emotional - seldom scrutinised save by diehard supporters or detractors. Matthew Dennison's new biography of Elizabeth II offers to evaluate a magisterial reign now spanning seven decades and the Queen's record as practitioner of monarchy. The person of the monarch is the closest an ethnically and culturally diverse society comes to a visible representative of past, present and future, although population changes since 1945 have made it impossible for Elizabeth II convincingly to embody the wide-ranging outlooks and aspirations of a muddled demographic. Instead she is understood as the champion of a handful of 'British' values endorsed - if no longer practised - by the bulk of the nation: service, duty, steadfastness, charity, stoicism: a visible definition of an aspect of 'Britishness'.
During his regular days in London, Kenneth Grahame sat behind a mahogany desk as Secretary of the Bank of England; on weekends he retired to the house in the country that he shared with his fanciful wife, Elspeth, and their fragile son, Alistair, and took lengthy walks along the Thames in Berkshire, "tempted by the treasures of hedge and ditch; the rapt surprise of the first lords-and-ladies, the rustle of a field-mouse, the splash of a frog."The result of these pastoral wanderings was his masterful creation of The Wind in the Willows, the enduring classic of children's literature; a cautionary tale for adult readers; a warning of the fragility of the English countryside; and an expression of fear at threatened social changes that, in the aftermath of the World War I, became a reality. Like its remarkable author, the book balances maverick tendencies with conservatism. Kenneth Grahame was an Edwardian pantheist whose work has a timeless appeal, an escapist whose withdrawal from reality took the form of time travel into his own past.
A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice From one of our finest literary biographers comes a brilliant biography of Roald Dahl: the much-loved author and creator of countless iconic literary characters. Roald Dahl was one of the world's greatest storytellers. He conceived his vocation as as that of any fearless explorer and, in his writing for children, he was able to tap into a child's viewpoint throughout his life. He crafted tales that were exotic in scenario, frequently invested with a moral, and filled with vibrant characters that endure in public imagination to the present day. In this brand-new biography, Matthew Dennison re-evaluates the traditional narrative surrounding Dahl—that of school sporting hero, daredevil pilot, and wartime spy-turned-author—and examines surviving primary resources as well as Dahl's extensive literary output to tell the story of a man who identified as a rule-breaker, an iconoclast, and a romantic—both insider and outsider, war hero and child's friend.
Empress of Rome is the fascinating biography of one of the most perplexing and powerful figures of the ancient world: the empress Livia. Second wife of the emperor Augustus and the mother of his successor Tiberius, Livia has been vilified by posterity (most notably by Tacitus and Robert Graves) as the quintessence of the scheming Roman matriarch, poisoning her relatives one by one to smooth her son's path to the imperial throne. In this elegant and rigorously researched biography, Matthew Dennison rescues the historical Livia from this crudely drawn caricature of the popular imagination. He depicts a complex, courageous and richly gifted woman whose true crime was not was not murder but the exercise of power, and who, in a male-dominated society, had the energy to create for herself both a prominent public profile and a significant sphere of political influence.
Rome is a subject of endless fascination, and in this new biography of the infamous Empress Livia, Matthew Dennison brings to life a woman long believed to be one of the most feared villainesses of history. Second wife of the emperor Augustus, mother of his successor Tiberius, grandmother of Claudius and great grandmother of Caligula, the empress Livia lived close to the center of Roman political power for eight turbulent decades. Her life spanned the years of Rome's transformation from Republic to Empire, and witnessed both its triumphs under the rule of Augustus and its lapse into instability under his dysfunctional successor. Livia was given the honorific title Augusta in her husband's will, and was posthumously deified by the emperor Claudius—but posterity would prove less respectful. The Roman historian Tacitus anathematized her as "malevolent" and a "feminine bully" and inspired Robert Graves's celebrated twentieth-century depiction of Livia in I, Claudius as the quintessence of the scheming matriarch, poisoning her relatives one by one to smooth her son's path to the imperial throne. Livia, Empress of Rome rescues the historical Livia from the crude caricature of popular myth to paint an elegant and richly textured portrait. In this rigorously researched biography, Dennison weighs the evidence found in contemporary sources to present a more nuanced assessment. Livia's true "crime," he reveals, was not murder but the exercise of power. The Livia who emerges here is a complex, courageous and gifted woman, and one of the most fascinating and perplexing figures of the ancient world.
Domitianus (51-96) was van 81 tot zijn dood keizer van het Romeinse Rijk. Historicus Matthew Dennison vertelt in het kort zijn levensverhaal. ‘Keizer Domitianus’ van Matthew Dennison is een short read over één van de eerste twaalf keizers van Rome. Matthew Dennison schreef 'De twaalf caesars' in navolging van de beroemde Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, die in het begin van de tweede eeuw de levens van ‘twaalf keizers’ beschreef. Hij begon zijn twee eeuwen geschiedschrijving met Julius Caesar (geboren 100 v.Chr.) en eindigde met Domitianus (overleden 96 n.Chr.). Suetonius' smakelijke anekdotes en pikante details maakten het boek in de middeleeuwen bijzonder populair. Dennison doet Suetonius' werk nog eens dunnetjes over en verrijkt zijn hommage aan diens beroemde portretten - in het Nederlands telkens verschenen onder de titel 'Keizers van Rome' - met andere bronnen uit het verleden en inzichten uit het heden.
Titus (39-81) was als opvolger van zijn vader Vespasianus keizer van Rome van 79 tot 81. Historicus Matthew Dennison vertelt in het kort zijn levensverhaal. ‘Keizer Titus’ van Matthew Dennison is een short read over één van de eerste twaalf keizers van Rome. Matthew Dennison schreef 'De twaalf caesars' in navolging van de beroemde Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, die in het begin van de tweede eeuw de levens van ‘twaalf keizers’ beschreef. Hij begon zijn twee eeuwen geschiedschrijving met Julius Caesar (geboren 100 v.Chr.) en eindigde met Domitianus (overleden 96 n.Chr.). Suetonius' smakelijke anekdotes en pikante details maakten het boek in de middeleeuwen bijzonder populair. Dennison doet Suetonius' werk nog eens dunnetjes over en verrijkt zijn hommage aan diens beroemde portretten - in het Nederlands telkens verschenen onder de titel 'Keizers van Rome' - met andere bronnen uit het verleden en inzichten uit het heden.
Beatrix Potter is one of the world's bestselling, most cherished authors, whose books have enchanted generations of children for over a hundred years. Yet how she achieved this legendary status is just one of several stories of Beatrix Potter's remarkable and unexpected life. Inspired by the twenty-three 'tales', Matthew Dennison takes a selection of quotations from Potter's stories and uses them to explore her multi-faceted life and character: repressed Victorian daughter; thwarted lover; artistic genius; formidable countrywoman. They chart her transformation from a young girl with a love of animals and fairy tales into a bestselling author and canny businesswoman, so deeply unusual for the Victorian era in which she grew up. Embellished with photographs of Potter's life and her own illustrations, this short biography will delight anyone who has been touched by Beatrix Potter's work.
Caligula (12-41 n.Chr.) was van 37 tot 41 keizer van Rome. Historicus Matthew Dennison vertelt in het kort zijn levensverhaal. ‘Gaius Caligula’ van Matthew Dennison is een short read over één van de eerste twaalf keizers van Rome. Matthew Dennison schreef ‘De twaalf caesars’ in navolging van de beroemde Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, die in het begin van de tweede eeuw de levens van ‘twaalf keizers’ beschreef. Hij begon zijn twee eeuwen geschiedschrijving met Julius Caesar (geboren 100 v.Chr.) en eindigde met Domitianus (overleden 96 n.Chr.). Suetonius’ smakelijke anekdotes en pikante details maakten het boek in de middeleeuwen bijzonder populair. Dennison doet Suetonius’ werk nog eens dunnetjes over en verrijkt zijn hommage aan diens beroemde portretten - in het Nederlands telkens verschenen onder de titel ‘Keizers van Rome’ - met andere bronnen uit het verleden en inzichten uit het heden.
Julius Caesar (100 v.Chr.-44 v.Chr) was van 48 v.Chr. tot zijn dood dictator van het Romeinse Rijk. Historicus Matthew Dennison vertelt in het kort zijn levensverhaal. ‘Julius Caesar’ van Matthew Dennison is een short read over één van de eerste twaalf keizers van Rome. Matthew Dennison schreef 'De twaalf caesars' in navolging van de beroemde Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, die in het begin van de tweede eeuw de levens van ‘twaalf keizers’ beschreef. Hij begon zijn twee eeuwen geschiedschrijving met Julius Caesar (geboren 100 v.Chr.) en eindigde met Domitianus (overleden 96 n.Chr.). Suetonius' smakelijke anekdotes en pikante details maakten het boek in de middeleeuwen bijzonder populair. Dennison doet Suetonius' werk nog eens dunnetjes over en verrijkt zijn hommage aan diens beroemde portretten - in het Nederlands telkens verschenen onder de titel 'Keizers van Rome' - met andere bronnen uit het verleden en inzichten uit het heden.
Vespasianus (9-79) was de vierde en laatste keizer in het vierkeizerjaar 69 n.Chr. Hij bleef keizer tot zijn dood in 79. Historicus Matthew Dennison vertelt in het kort zijn levensverhaal. ‘Keizer Vespasianus’ van Matthew Dennison is een short read over één van de eerste twaalf keizers van Rome. Matthew Dennison schreef 'De twaalf caesars' in navolging van de beroemde Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, die in het begin van de tweede eeuw de levens van ‘twaalf keizers’ beschreef. Hij begon zijn twee eeuwen geschiedschrijving met Julius Caesar (geboren 100 v.Chr.) en eindigde met Domitianus (overleden 96 n.Chr.). Suetonius' smakelijke anekdotes en pikante details maakten het boek in de middeleeuwen bijzonder populair. Dennison doet Suetonius' werk nog eens dunnetjes over en verrijkt zijn hommage aan diens beroemde portretten - in het Nederlands telkens verschenen onder de titel 'Keizers van Rome' - met andere bronnen uit het verleden en inzichten uit het heden.
A moving biography of Kenneth Grahame, author of the children's classic The Wind in the Willows, and of the vision of English pastoral life that inspired it.
. . . from expected death comes unexpected new life!" The Gospel of Matthew does not shy away from the realities of struggle, suffering, doubt, and death. Yet, from the first names in the genealogy to the last words spoken by Jesus, the Gospel testifies to the promise that from expected death comes unexpected new life. Through the actions of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, we experience the expectation of death and the promise of unexpected new life. In the birth story of Jesus, Joseph suspects Mary of committing adultery. It is this dilemma that is the focus of the narrative. If he reveals her pregnancy, she could be killed. If he conceals her pregnancy, he will be going against the law of the Lord. What is a righteous man to do? In Joseph's dilemma, this experience of expected death, the Gospel of Matthew proclaims the promise of unexpected new life. The promise of unexpected new life is a theme that continues throughout Matthew's Gospel in the life and ministry of Jesus. The call of his disciples is a call from death to new life. The teaching of Jesus focuses on the experience of death and the promise of new life. In both healing and curing, Jesus brings unexpected new life to those who face death. But it is the death and resurrection of Jesus that is the climax of unexpected new life in the Gospel of Matthew. Even as Jesus experiences a most horrific and humiliating death in the crucifixion, death and the grave do not have the final say. In bearing witness to Jesus' resurrection, the Gospel of Matthew proclaims the magnificent promise of unexpected new life. Matthew J. Marohl invites you in these pages to read the Gospel of Matthew in a new way, from a fresh perspective. Integrating insights from the study of Mediterranean anthropology, Marohl makes the cultural world of the Gospel come alive, so that as you read Matthew again (or perhaps for the first time) you will certainly experience the powerful promise that from expected death comes unexpected new life!
Every serious student of the Bible desires to understand the text, discover the biblical principles, and apply the truths to his/her life. This commentary is designed to help students, pastors, and Bible teachers understand Matthew in a simple manner. Working from the popular New International Version (NIV), the author provides helpful commentary on the text verse-by-verse. This verse-by-verse commentary is different from others in two respects. First, it is brief while some commentaries are unnecessarily wordy and verbose. Second, it is Pentecostal in outlook. This implies that we generally adhere to the doctrine of biblical inerrancy and adopt a literalist approach to the interpretation of the Bible. The Gospel of Matthew is placed first in the New Testament. It is a teaching Gospel. It is the natural gateway to the New Testament with a strong connection to the Old Testament.
The eleventh book in this series, this text focuses on textual comments and believer edification of the gospel of Matthew. Although the text isn't focused on textual research of a theological exegesis, the commentary does try to bring the ideas and assertions made by the disciple Matthew in the days of the Messiah Jesus Christ in the nation of Israel. This book is handy for anyone who wants to read into commentary history as well as to get a good solid look at how the texts of Matthew apply to our lives.
Every serious student of the Bible desires to understand the text, discover the biblical principles, and apply the truths to his/her life. This commentary is designed to help students, pastors, and Bible teachers understand the book of Matthew in a simple manner. Working from the popular New International Version (NIV), the author provides helpful commentary on the text verse by verse. This verse-by-verse commentary is different from others in two respects. First, it is brief, while some commentaries are unnecessarily wordy and verbose. Second, it is Pentecostal in outlook. This implies that we generally adhere to the doctrine of biblical inerrancy and adopt a literalist approach to the interpretation of the Bible. The Gospel of Matthew is placed first in the New Testament. It is a teaching gospel. It is the natural gateway to the New Testament with a strong connection to the Old Testament.
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