Kenneth Parker gives a historical and critical exposition of commentaries of the play. These are traced back to firmly held assumptions, about theories of literary production and consumption as well as political relations, not yet wholly shed in the present. Dominant traditions (of Cleopatra as 'whore' and 'gypsy'; of Antony as 'deserter'; of 'Rome' as the measure by which it, as well as 'Egypt' should be read) are not simply questioned, but instead, close reading of the text of the play provides a comprehensive set of alternative readings based upon mostly postcolonial and feminist theories. From this there emerges the concluding argument that, of all Shakespeare's plays, Antony and Cleopatra is the text for our times; one that is 'past the size of dreaming'.

The electrostatic precipitator remains one of the most cost-effective means of controlling the emission of particulates from most industrial processes, including pollution from power stations. The author reviews the basic theory and operation of precipitators, the characteristics of gas and particulates that impact on design and operation, and the design of high- and mains-frequency rectification equipment. Chapters also cover performance monitoring and enhancement, and fault detection. The author shows how recent high-power, fast switching equipment has enabled new high-frequency energisation equipment to be introduced, which further improves precipitator performance and in turn reduces emissions and the level of pollution. As environmental standards and regulations are progressively tightened, improvements in pollution control technology such as electrostatic precipitators are vital for the continued operation of coal- and biomass-burning power plants, steelworks and other energy-intensive boilers and related industrial processes. The book should help the professional engineer and non-specialist to assess the potential design and operation of electrostatic precipitators and how to govern and control performance. It will be of particular relevance to electrical engineers, process engineers and those in the environmental/pollution control fields.