Presented here for the first time together, and many for the first time in English, are the writings that formed the genesis of "Six Characters in Search of an Author," along with a new translation of the theater masterpiece itself by Martha Witt and Mary Ann Frese Witt. Although Pirandello's best-known play is now considered a revolutionary modernist work, it did not begin as avant-garde art, but rather in the musings of a relatively unknown Sicilian living in Rome. The writings included in this volume display its genesis. The idea of characters as living beings in dialogue with their author first appears as a major theme in a short story titled "Characters," published in 1906. Pirandello did not include it in any of his collections of short stories, and it has not previously been translated into English. The interaction between characters demanding to "live" in writing and an author who rejects them would be developed in Pirandello's 1911 story "The Tragedy of a Character." In 1925, Pirandello conceived the idea of writing a novel about an author who rejects the characters who come to him begging to be put into a novel, and in a July 1917 letter to his son, he gives the novel a title: "Sei personaggi in cerca d'autore: Romanzo da fare" ("Six Characters in Search of an Author: A Novel to Be Made"). In this volume Martha Witt and Mary Ann Frese Witt provide all these materials for a complete appreciation of this masterwork. "Wonderfully fresh and readable, consistent as well as fluid, sensitive to the flows of the original language and yet smooth and precise, this new translation succeeds in bringing Pirandello's masterpiece to life once again. The introduction brilliantly captures the playwright's sense of humanity's unshakeable decency and moral dilemmas; the addition of a previously untranslated short story, "Characters," enlightens the play. English-speaking readers can now appreciate to the fullest the creative energy of a twentieth-century literary genius." - Valeria Finucci, Professor of Italian & Theater Studies, Duke University

What is real or unreal? If one looks close, things may not be what they appear to be. In his second collection of plays set in the 1980s, Michael JP Williams takes a look back at a time when Ronald Reagan's Hollywood glamour sparked the American spirit and prosperity graced many homes-even as the AIDS crisis quietly intensified in the shadows. In "Skin Savers," Key West, Florida, a mecca for artists, writers, transplanted New Yorkers, seves as the setting and as a perfect place for Hank and Beau, two businessmen who have been trying for years to make their fortunes at their fabric firm. Discouraged by a recent chain of events, they are thrilled when they receive the resume of a young talented artist. But as they recruit him to work at their company, they have no idea that Mickey D'West is battling his own issues. In the second play "Old Tavern Tales," Paul and Mickey fall in love and soon become immersed in a bizarre relationship where neither has respect for the other-or themselves. "Baptism by Green Fire" highlights a time when Key West was abruptly changed with the arrival of a horrifying disease that robbed the world of many beautiful, vibrant, and talented men.

SAINT JOAN by BERNARD SHAWA. Contents . .: PREFACE: Joan the Original and Presumptuous . 7..loan and Socrates . . 8Contrast with Napoleon . 9Was Joan Innocent or Guilty ? . . IIJoans Good Looks . 13Joans Social Position . . 14Joans Voices and Visions 16The Evolutionary Appetite 19The Mere Iconography does not Matter 21The Modern Education which Joan Escaped 21Failures of the Voices 24Joan a Galtonic Visualize 25Joans Manliness and Militarism 25Was Joan Suicidal ? 28Joan Summed Up 29Joans Immaturity and Ignorance 30The Maid in Literature 31Protestant Misunderstandings of the Middle Ages 35Comparative Fairness of Joans Trial 36Joan not tried as a Political Offender 38The Church Uncompromised by its Amends 41Cruelty, Modern and Medieval 43Catholic AntiClericalism 45Catholicism not yet Catholic Enough 45The Law of Change is the Law of God 47Credulity, Modern and Medieval 49Toleration, Modern and Medieval 50Variability of Toleration 52The Conflict between Genius and Discipline 53Joan as Theocrat 55Unbroken Success essential in Theocracy 56Modem Distortions of Joans History 57History always Out of Date 58The Real Joan not Marvellous Enough for Us 58The Stage Limits of Historical Representation 60A Void in the Elizabethan Drama.. 61Tragedy, not Melodrama 62The Inevitable Flatteries of Tragedy 63Some Wellmeant Proposals for the Improvement of 65the Play . .The Epilogue . . 66To the Critics, lest they should feel Ignored . 67SAINT JOAN . . . 7. PREFACE: JOAN THE ORIGINAL AND PRESUMPTUOUS JOAN OF ARC, a village girl from the Vosges, was bomabout 1412 burnt for heresy, witchcraft, and sorcery in1431 rehabilitated after a fashion in 1456 designatedVenerable in 1904 declared Blessed in 1908 and finallycanonized in 1920, She is the most notable Warrior Saintin the Christian calendar, and the queerest fish among theeccentric worthies of the Middle Ages. Though a professedand most pious Catholic, and the projector of a Crusadeagainst the Husites, she was In fact one of the first Protestant martyrs. She was also one of the first apostles of Nationalism, and the first French practitioner of Napoleonic realismin warfare as distinguished from the sporting ransom gambling chivalry of her time. She was the pioneer ofrational dressing for women, and, like Queen Christina ofSweden two centuries later, to say nothing of Catalina deErauso and innumerable obscure heroines who have disguised themselves as men to serve as soldiers and sailors, she refused to accept the specific womans lot, and dressedand fought and lived as men did.

Jonathan is a mere human. He stumbles into the emotional comfort of his wife's sister, Joan, in the fallout, many years after an "emotional affair" with his co-worker, Simone. Claire, Jonathan's wife, has her own secrets. Her controlling ways push Jonathan away, while she pulls him back to keep their relationship together. His marital bounds are tested when Simone returns, eight years later, to be a friend, and to see if their relationship would have worked. Humorous and dark, sad and complex, Malaise wanders through the life of Jonathan and his women, as he searches for love and peace in his emotionally barren world. ForeWord Clarion Book Review

In March 1970, Odysseas Andronikos, a chief petty officer in the Royal Hellenic Navy, is prepared to reap the benefits of his intense studies. After learning English and details of the American culture, he receives his orders to report to the Navy Seabee base in Rhode Island. Odysseas is more than ready to escape the Greek military dictatorship and begin a new adventure in America.

After Odysseas arrives in Rhode Island, he slowly adjusts to the ways of American life. Soon he meets Melina Spencer-a beautiful woman trapped in an abusive marriage to a United States naval officer. Desperate to escape her situation and find a better life for her children, Melina begins a torrid, forbidden affair with Odysseas. Despite obvious political and immigration barriers, Melina and Odysseas fall in love-but it is not long before Odysseas is sent back to Greece. Desperate and alone in his country, Odysseas is willing to risk everything to be with the only woman he has ever loved.

Based on true events, "Steadfast" weaves suspense with governmental power, corruption, torture, and even death-and proves that love is the most powerful emotion of all.

The Complete Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol . I: All Ovid's Elegies, Lucan's First Booke, Dido Queene of Carthage, Hero and Leander. Typeset in modern font; this is not a facsimile edition.

A teenage, pregnant, junkie named Danielle ... a barren, divorced Nurse named Betty ... a middle-aged, family-oriented Cardinal named Gary ... a powerful, three-member clandestine organization called the Concilium Tria, which is overseen by the strongest, evilest force known to man since its inception almost 2000 years ago, are all connected. It all begins with Nurse Betty's reoccurring dream night after night until it becomes a shocking, sudden reality. A male, newborn is kidnapped from the hospital shortly after being delivered. Danielle almost dies giving birth. After decades of faithful service, Cardinal Gary abruptly leaves the Catholic Church when he decides to go against what he is asked to do by the Pope. The Concilium Tria starts its desperate search for the last prophet. A war involving every soul-living and dead-will happen if the Concilium Tria discovers the whereabouts of the last prophet. Humanity's only chance is the last prophet not being found. A dangerous, deadly storm is on the horizon. Will man's innate capability for benevolence conquer its lewd desire for the materialistic?

The good The bad It s got to be ugly when these two forces meet. There are heroes and villains and you decide which is which Who will win and who will lose everything Our loving couple prepare for a bright future and without trying hurt everyone around them in some way Are they the villain? Humm Maybe A man who s life has come crashing down in every way in a very short period of time. Can he be the hero? Again Humm Gavin s revenge promises to intrigue you completely and will have you demand another chapter in this saga. Your wish will be our command

Bell has always known something is wrong. The darkness deep inside her is deeply satisfying and sometimes makes her tingle all over. As Bell grows up as an overweight and unattractive child next to her beautiful sister, Dana, she embraces the darkness and even allows it to grow as she tortures innocent animals and secretly wishes her sister would give her the special attention she feels she deserves. But as her anger intensifies, Bell loses control and ends her sister's life in the blink of an eye, claiming it was an accident. Bell has just gotten away with murder. As she embarks on a quest to make others pay for things she perceives as wrongs against her, she decides to form a plan for her life that includes afflicting pain on living creatures, poisoning family members, wreaking havoc on the community, and stealing from innocent victims. After her husband leaves her and marries again, Bell's behavior becomes increasingly cruel and reckless as she uses her daughter as a pawn in her attempts to ruin their marriage. But when Bell's daughter announces she is pregnant, Bell suddenly realizes she has lost everything she has been trying so desperately to keep. Intent on seeking revenge no matter what the personal cost, Bell is about to make a horrifying decision that will forever change not only her life, but also the lives of everyone around her.

It was a time when personal exploration was a way of life-a time when it was still okay to hitchhike, grow your hair long, and be carefree. But during the 1970s and early 1980s, it still was not okay to be gay. In "Complex, " the first of the two plays presented in "Baby Crib, " author Michael J.-P. Williams introduces Mickey, a man haunted by guilt-and a dark secret. Just as a new consciousness is lighting the way for those who wish to escape the closet, artist wannabe Mickey is battling internal demons. Ashamed that he is homosexual and even more ashamed that he is still alive after his twin brother dies from cancer, Mickey must struggle to accept himself and his desires. In the second play, "I Ski Maybell, " Paul West is on the road to success. With a newly acquired MBA in hand and a good job in a new city, Paul's fresh start in life suddenly goes awry when he allies himself with Nova McWorth. Unfortunately, she is his boss. Williams interweaves multifaceted characters within poignant storylines that prove that perhaps life really is too short to worry about what we cannot control.

The Phaedrus is closely connected with the Symposium, and may be regarded either as introducing or following it. The two Dialogues together contain the whole philosophy of Plato on the nature of love, which in the Republic and in the later writings of Plato is only introduced playfully or as a figure of speech. But in the Phaedrus and Symposium love and philosophy join hands, and one is an aspect of the other. The spiritual and emotional part is elevated into the ideal, to which in the Symposium mankind are described as looking forward, and which in the Phaedrus, as well as in the Phaedo, they are seeking to recover from a former state of existence. Whether the subject of the Dialogue is love or rhetoric, or the union of the two, or the relation of philosophy to love and to art in general, and to the human soul, will be hereafter considered. And perhaps we may arrive at some conclusion such as the following-that the dialogue is not strictly confined to a single subject, but passes from one to another with the natural freedom of conversation.

Humans ask this question frequently, what is love? A lot of us believe that we know the true meaning of the word, while in reality; it is a word that has a lot of definitions according to each person's point of view. Some think that love can be told by words, others think it's something felt by actions. But the problem isn't in the meaning of the word. The real question is how far could you go for someone you love? To what extent would you endure and bear the pain subjected by the one you love? When is it time to let go? Is it possible? "Ironic isn't it, we ignore the ones who adore us, adore the ones that ignore us, love the ones who hurt us, and hurt the ones that love us? " Jordan Neil Yet, sometimes that hurt makes us blind to see the truth. Or maybe what you think is the truth, is actually the camouflage of the truth. Sometimes the truth isn't on the surface. You have to see what lies beyond that...You have to look for the truth behind truth.