In this wide-ranging and challenging book, Ruth Smith shows that the words of Handel's oratorios reflect the events and ideas of their time and have far greater meaning than has hitherto been realized. She sheds new light on the oratorio librettists and explores literature, music, aesthetics, politics and religion to reveal Handel's texts as conduits for eighteenth-century thought and sensibility. This book enriches our understanding of Handel, his times, and the relationships between music and its intellectual contexts.

This book demonstrates, complete with practical exercises, how to be successful in both your work and your personal life by becoming a truly authentic leader and empathic influencer. Above all, it shows you how to do this with the positive intention of successful, connected communication and through honouring the other person's perspective. The book is of particular value to managers and leaders who are very proficient in their areas of expertise and are looking for ways to improve team and personal performance further by developing their leadership and authentic influencing skills. The book provides you with: Clear reasons why authentic leadership and empathic influencing will help in work and personal relationships. How to develop these influencing skills and remain authentic. The evidence, including the relevant neuroscience, as to why this is important. A 'how to' guide. If you are looking for some practical exercises to help develop authentic leadership, then you can go straight here.

Perth in Old Photographs is the most comprehensive title on its subject ever published. Through a lively and intimate mixture of rare photographs gleaned from private and public sources, this book presents a fascinating and wide-ranging record of life in a vibrant settlement which has frequently been at the centre of events in Scottish political history. King James I was murdered in Perth, which was effectively the early capital of Scotland. The book deals with dramatic historical events, along with the occupations and pastimes of the people, including important connections with the whiskey industry, glass-making and textiles. Not surprisingly, given its vast, rich agricultural hinterland, Perth has long had strong links with the farming community, and this relationship is reflected, as are its roles as an administrative centre and a popular tourist destination. The changing architectural face of the town is traced through photographs of varying ages, and due importance is given to the River Tay which flows through the 'Fair City' and which has played its own vital part in Perth's colourful history.

This fascinating new book presents some of the events and people who have made up the life of the historic market town of Ledbury. Ruth Smith has gathered together a multitude of old photographs to illustrate the history of her home town, and compares them with modern images to clearly show the changes in street scenes, leisure, agriculture, transport, shops and businesses that have taken place during the last century. Ledbury Past & Present is a well-researched book that is sure to bring back cherished memories of yesteryear for all who know and love this part of Herefordshire.

In this wide-ranging and challenging book, Ruth Smith shows that the words to Handel's oratorios reflect the events and ideas of their time and have far greater meaning than has hitherto been realized. She explores literature, music, aesthetics, politics and religion to reveal Handel's works as conduits for eighteenth-century thought and sensibility. She provides a full picure of Handel's librettists and shows how their oratorio texts express key moral-political preoccupations and engage with contemporary ideological debate. British identity, the need for national unity, the conduct of war, the role of government, the authority of the Bible, the purpose of literature, the effect of art - these and many more concerns are addressed in the librettos. The book thus enriches our understanding of Handel, his times, and the relationships between music and its intellectual contexts.

This book describes and illustrates in detail the 760 species of mosses currently known to occur in the British Isles and incorporates the most up-to-date information available on classification and nomenclature, together with recent synonyms. The species descriptions provide information on frequency, ecology, geographical relationships and distribution, including information on protected species and those species at risk. For many species there are footnotes to aid identification. In addition to the species descriptions there are descriptions of families and genera and also introductory information on conservation, collection, preservation and examination of material, together with advice on using the keys. An artificial key to genera provides the only workable comprehensive key published in the English language. This second edition incorporates the very considerable advances in our knowledge of mosses made in the last quarter of the twentieth century and will provide a unique resource for all concerned with these fascinating organisms.

This book demonstrates, complete with practical exercises, how to be successful in both your work and your personal life by becoming a truly authentic leader and empathic influencer. Above all, it shows you how to do this with the positive intention of successful, connected communication and through honouring the other person's perspective. The book is of particular value to managers and leaders who are very proficient in their areas of expertise and are looking for ways to improve team and personal performance further by developing their leadership and authentic influencing skills. The book provides you with: Clear reasons why authentic leadership and empathic influencing will help in work and personal relationships. How to develop these influencing skills and remain authentic. The evidence, including the relevant neuroscience, as to why this is important. A 'how to' guide. If you are looking for some practical exercises to help develop authentic leadership, then you can go straight here.

An unspeakable tragedy leads one nurse to the brink of despair in Ruth Smith's heartbreaking debut novel, Finally. Annie seemingly has it all: A loving husband, three beautiful children, and a job that allows her to help others and truly make a difference. All of that changes in an instant when Annie's husband and children are killed in a tragic car accident. Her world shattered, she is unsure how to proceed. Annie eventually finds herself trying to forge a new life, a mission that takes her across the country to care for Bridger Jones, a former pro-football player, after he is hit by a drunk driver on his way home from a game. Already fragile, Annie finds her jaded and self-pitying new client almost unbearable. His abrasive personality tempts Annie to call it quits on the first day and return home, but she and Bridger eventually form an uneasy truce. As the days and months past, their lives begin taking on some semblance of a routine. But the closer the two become, the more frightened Annie becomes. Will she ever learn to reconcile her tragic past with hope for the future?

Buddy Bear is an adventure seeking travel companion. Is it any wonder that he has found so many wonderful Lighthouses to explore in the Michigan coastline. From St. Joseph to Holland to Whitehall and all the way up to Traverse City, there are adventures to behold. The waves crashing on the Pier in Ludington. The vast beaches of Grand Haven and Muskegon. The hike to Little Sable and Big Sable are a full day of new and wonderful experiences. Embark on this journey of beautiful photography as the views from the lighthouses beckon you to explore your world and learn something new.

Hope. Love. Longing. Fear. Anger. Pain. Despair.

These are the emotions that unify all human beings regardless of race, culture, country, or social standing. This poetic anthology is a self examination by the author of how she experiences these emotions in her own life, which serves as an example for our own suffering. Are we all doomed to feel these emotions in these stages or is it more like a circle, with hope leading to despair and back to hope again?

Like the sinking of the Titanic, the loss of the author was a tragedy, especially for someone who brought so much happiness to all those around her. And like the Titanic whose treasures were unearthed after her sinking, so too is this book of poems a treasure brought back to the surface for you to enjoy.

One of the first of many.

A Word on Love by Bishop Ruth W. Smith It's time to love according to the Word of God. Bishop Ruth shares a life changing message on love that will inspire readers to allow God to love through them - the only way to truly love - because God is love. Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen relationships with God, family, church members, coworkers and others who cross your path. A Word on Love will help you... Develop an understanding as to why you should love God and others Learn how to love others by allowing the Holy Spirit to love them through you Gain wisdom on loving yourself God's way