This is one of the first books to comprehensively explore representations of madness in postwar British and American Fiction. The five authors come from diverse backgrounds - literary studies, social psychology, medical psychiatry and psychiatric nursing - and as such the book's perspectives are informed through several discourses, making it a unique co-authored text in the discipline of Health Humanities. The book looks at representations of madness in a range of texts by postwar writers (such as Ken Kesey, Marge Piercy, Patrick McGrath, Leslie Marmon Silko, William Golding, Patrick Gale, William Burroughs and J.G. Ballard, to name a few), and explores the ways in which these representations help to shape public perceptions and experiences of mental disorder.
This book is relevant to both those with interests in literary studies and a vital read for psychiatric clinicians and professionals who are interested in how literature can inform and enhance clinical practices.

Body art, especially tattoos and piercings, has enjoyed an explosion of interest in recent years. However, the response of many health professionals and researchers to this phenomenon is often negative, as body art continues to be associated with issues ranging from ill mental health to offending behaviors. Arguing for a reappraisal of the diverse range of practices that fall under this heading, Brian Brown and Virginia Kuulei Berndt reconsider body art as an underappreciated yet accessible source for mental and physical wellbeing. How, they ask, does body art open up new sources of community, sociality, and aesthetics? How is it used for the reclamation of one’s body, as a marker of success or accomplishment, or for building friendships? How does participation in these practices impact the health and wellbeing of body artists themselves? Providing a radical rethink that integrates tattoos and other body modifications within health, wellbeing, and positive psychology, Body Art disrupts the narrative of stigmatisation that so often surrounds these practices to welcome a broader discussion of the benefits they can offer.

Thomas Berry had a gentle yet mesmerizing and luminescent presence that was evident to anyone who spent time with him. His intellectual scope and erudite manner were compelling, and the breadth, depth, clarity, and elegance of his vision was breathtaking. Berry was an intellectual giant and cultural visionary of extraordinary stature. Thomas Berry's vast knowledge of history, religions, and cultural histories is a unique blend revealing a genuine, original thinker. The ecological crisis, in all its manifestations, came to dominate Berry's concerns. He perceived that the greatest need was to offer the possibility of a viable future for an Earth community. Many know of his proposal for a functional cosmology, the need for a new story, and a vital Earth sensitive spirituality. Few know of his rich and varied intellectual journey. The Intellectual Journey of Thomas Berry: Imagining the Earth Community is about the roots and insights hidden within his ecological, spiritual proposal. These essays, written by experts on Thomas Berry's work, probe into, and reveal distinct themes that permeate his work, in gratitude for his contribution to the Earth.

Thomas Berry had a gentle yet mesmerizing and luminescent presence that was evident to anyone who spent time with him. His intellectual scope and erudite manner were compelling, and the breadth, depth, clarity and elegance of his vision was breathtaking. He enthralled thousands of people who came to listen and learn from him in academic and public settings and he was an intellectual giant and cultural visionary of extraordinary stature. Thomas Berry's vast knowledge and specific expertise as a cultural historian -united with his concern for the future of the planet-reveals him to be a genuine original thinker. Those who knew him, in person or through his publications, were aware of his genius and his appeal for a viable future for humanity and the natural world. Many know of his proposal for a functional cosmology, the need for a new story, and a vital Earth sensitive spirituality, but few know the intellectual roots of his thesis because he presented his thoughts as a seamless and studied synthesis. This book is about those intellectual roots and particular emphases and insights that are hidden within Thomas Berry's proposal.These essays probe into and reveal distinct themes that permeate his work, but are not obvious upon first glance. The authors of this collection were students of Berry, and did their Ph.D. work using elements of his thought. More importantly, Thomas Berry's influence has both grounded and oriented their intellectual pursuits.

Augustine and World Religions examines Augustine's thought for how it can inform modern inter-religious dialogue. Despite Augustine's reputation as the father of Christian intolerance, one finds in his thought the surprising claim that within non-Christian writings there are 'some truths in regard even to the worship of the One God'. This, it seems, hints at a deeper level of respect and dialogue between religions, because one engages in such dialogue in order to better understand and worship God. The essays here uncover provocative points of comparison and similarity between Christianity and other religions to further such an Augustinian dialogue.

This is Brian Brown's personal diary of his rise from Belisha Boy signalman up to the giddy heights of 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Corps of Signals between 1939 until 1945. Brian had a varied career in the Army including 31/2 years as a Prisoner of War after being ordered by CIC Percival to surrender to the Japanese at the fall of Singapore on 15th February 1942. The Diary takes Brian from Singapore to PamPong to work on building the new spur of railway which extended to Rangoon to join up with the existing railway. On the journey, in spite of the deprivation of hunger, illness & fatigue which accumulated from being held prisoner in appalling conditions, Brian worked with Indian elephants, herded cattle and ate any stray pigs which crossed his path - these experiences contributed to his decision to become a farmer later in life.

The health humanities is a rapidly rising field, advancing an inclusive, democratizing, activist, applied, critical, and culturally diverse approach to delivering health and well-being through the arts and humanities. It has generated new kinds of interdisciplinary research, knowledge, and communities of practice globally. It has also acted to bring greater coherence and political force to contributions across a range of related disciplines and traditions. In this volume, a formidable set of authors explore the history, current state, and future of the health humanities, in particular how its vision of the arts and humanities: Promotes creative public health. Opens new routes to health and well-being. Informs and drives better health care. Interrogates relationships between ill health and social equality. Develops humanist theory in relation to health and social care practice. Foregrounds cultural difference as a resource for positive change in society. Tests the humanity of an increasingly globalized health-care system. Looks to overcome structural and process obstacles to cross-disciplinary ventures. Champions co-construction, co-design, and mutuality in solving health and well-being challenges. Showcases less familiar, prominent, or celebrated creative practices. Includes multiple perspectives on the value and health benefits of the arts and humanities not limited to or dominated by medicine. Divided into two main sections, the Companion looks at "Reflections and Critical Perspectives," offering current thinking and definitions within health humanities, and "Applications," comprising a wide selection of applied arts and humanities practices from comedy, writing, and dancing to yoga, cooking, and horticultural display.

For centuries THE I CHING OR BOOK OF CHANGES has been consulted for wise advice. Its enduring popularity lies in the lessons it teaches about how to attain life's greatest rewards - prosperity, understanding and peace of mind. On the surface, it is merely a book that has survived for thousands of years in many different forms. Underneath, however, THE I CHING is a living breathing oracle, a patient and all-seeing teacher who can be relied upon for flawless advice at every turning point in our lives. Briant Browne Walker's highly accessible translation of THE I CHING OR BOOK OF CHANGES allows you to make the wisdom of the ancient Chinese sages your own. Whether you need specific advice or general guidance, THE I CHING will help to promote success and good fortune and impart balance and perspective to your life.