Books with author Richard Francis

This novel of the Salem Witch Trials from the point of view of a judge is “leavened with wit [and] finely crafted” (Kirkus Reviews). In a colony struggling for survival, in a mysterious new world where infant mortality is high and sin is to blame, Samuel Sewall is committed to being a loving family man, a good citizen, and a fair-minded judge. Like any believing Puritan, he agonizes over what others think of him, while striving to act morally correct, keep the peace, and, when possible, enjoy a hefty slice of pie. His one regret is that months earlier, he didn’t sentence a group of pirates to death. What begins as a touching story of a bumbling man tasked with making judgments in a society where reason is often ephemeral quickly becomes the chilling narrative we know too well. And when public opinion wavers, Sewall learns that what has been done cannot be undone. Crane Pond explores the inner life of a well-meaning man who compromised with evil and went on to regret it. At once a searing view of the Trials, an empathetic portrait of one of the period’s most tragic figures, and an indictment of the malevolent power of idealism, it is a thrilling new telling of one of America’s founding stories. “[Crane Pond] goes straight on to my (small) list of historical novels that draw out the capacities of the form and allow readers to brush against the pleasures and terrors of the past.” —Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf Hall “Deftly crafted . . . perfectly balances issues of religion, faith, and law.” —Library Journal

Usually told from the perspective of the victims, the Salem Witch Trials are a forever story. The vestiges of a particular strain of American social hysteria remain with us even today. In Crane Pond, Richard Francis reveals a side of the history that is not often recounted, as he skillfully constructs a portrait of Samuel Sewall, the only judge to later admit that a terrible mistake had been made. In a colony on the edge of survival in a mysterious new world where infant mortality is high and sin is to blame, Sweall is committed to being a loving family man, a good citizen, and a fair-minded judge. Like any believing Puritan, he agonizes over what others think of him, while striving to act morally correct, keep the peace, and (hopefully make time to) enjoy a hefty slice of pie. His one regret is that only months before he didn't sentence a group of pirates to death. What begins as a touching story of a bumbling man tasked with making judgements in a society where reason is often ephemeral, quickly becomes the chilling narrative we know too well. And when public opinion wavers, Sweall learns that what has been done cannot be undone.Crane Pond explores the inner life of a well-meaning man who compormised with evil. It presents an unflinching portrayal of Sewall's efforts to piece together a new perspective from shattered preconceptions, vividly tracking his search for atonement, for peace, and ultimately for a renewal of hope. At once a searing view of the Trials from the inside out, an empathetic portrait of one of the period's most tragic and redemptive figures, and an indictment of the malevolent power of religious and political idealism, it is a thrilling new telling of one of America's founding stories.

This is the first definitive account of Fruitlands, one of history’s most unsuccessful—but most significant—utopian experiments. It was established in Massachusetts in 1843 by Bronson Alcott (whose ten-year-old daughter Louisa May, future author of Little Women, was among the members) and an Englishman called Charles Lane, under the watchful gaze of Emerson, Thoreau, and other New England intellectuals.Alcott and Lane developed their own version of the doctrine known as Transcendentalism, hoping to transform society and redeem the environment through a strict regime of veganism and celibacy. But physical suffering and emotional conflict—particularly between Lane and Alcott’s wife, Abigail—made the community unsustainable.Drawing on the letters and diaries of those involved, Richard Francis explores the relationship between the complex philosophical beliefs held by Alcott, Lane, and their fellow idealists and their day-to-day lives. The result is a vivid and often very funny narrative of their travails, demonstrating the dilemmas and conflicts inherent to any utopian experiment and shedding light on a fascinating period of American history.

The fascinating story of Bronson Alcott’s utopian experiment This is the first definitive account of Fruitlands, one of history’s most unsuccessful—but most significant—utopian experiments. It was established in Massachusetts in 1843 by Bronson Alcott (whose ten-year-old daughter Louisa May, future author of Little Women, was among the members) and an Englishman called Charles Lane, under the watchful gaze of Emerson, Thoreau, and other New England intellectuals.Alcott and Lane developed their own version of the doctrine known as Transcendentalism, hoping to transform society and redeem the environment through a strict regime of veganism and celibacy. But physical suffering and emotional conflict—particularly between Lane and Alcott’s wife, Abigail—made the community unsustainable.Drawing on the letters and diaries of those involved, Richard Francis explores the relationship between the complex philosophical beliefs held by Alcott, Lane, and their fellow idealists and their day-to-day lives. The result is a vivid and often very funny narrative of their travails, demonstrating the dilemmas and conflicts inherent to any utopian experiment and shedding light on a fascinating period of American history.

The fascinating story of Bronson Alcott’s utopian experiment This is the first definitive account of Fruitlands, one of history’s most unsuccessful—but most significant—utopian experiments. It was established in Massachusetts in 1843 by Bronson Alcott (whose ten-year-old daughter Louisa May, future author of Little Women, was among the members) and an Englishman called Charles Lane, under the watchful gaze of Emerson, Thoreau, and other New England intellectuals.Alcott and Lane developed their own version of the doctrine known as Transcendentalism, hoping to transform society and redeem the environment through a strict regime of veganism and celibacy. But physical suffering and emotional conflict—particularly between Lane and Alcott’s wife, Abigail—made the community unsustainable.Drawing on the letters and diaries of those involved, Richard Francis explores the relationship between the complex philosophical beliefs held by Alcott, Lane, and their fellow idealists and their day-to-day lives. The result is a vivid and often very funny narrative of their travails, demonstrating the dilemmas and conflicts inherent to any utopian experiment and shedding light on a fascinating period of American history.

Frank R. Richards first ice fished when he was in his thirties, and he’s been doing it ever since. Three decades later, he’s compiled his experiences into an easy-to-read introduction to ice fishing techniques, clothing, locations, and safety. Learn about finding fish under the ice with depth maps. Find out the best way to use tip ups, how to jig, and choose shelters. Enjoy the vibrant color photography peppered throughout the guide that illustrates, instructs, and inspires you to get out onto the ice.Being prepared is essential to enjoying the experience. Read Richards’s advice on how to organize gear and transport the necessary equipment to the fishing grounds. Capitalize on his experience with tips, such as choosing fishing locations close to home, which makes the excursion much easier and allows you to spend more time fishing than driving.Whether you have been at it a while, are a beginner, or are just considering trying it, this how-to guide will help you have a higher quality experience and be able to enjoy the peace and relaxation that ice fishing provides. Once you finish the book, it’ll be time to catch some fish!

Explorer, soldier, Orientalist, cartographer, spy, linguist, poet, fencer and diplomat, Sir Richard Francis Burton is famed for his travels and explorations in Asia, Africa and the Americas, as well as his extraordinary knowledge of languages and cultures. Burton's best-known achievements include a perilous journey to Mecca, an unexpurgated translation of ‘The One Thousand and One Nights’, the notorious publication of the ‘Kama Sutra’ and a fabled expedition in search of the source of the Nile. This comprehensive eBook presents Burton’s collected works, with numerous illustrations, rare texts appearing in digital print for the first time, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1)* Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Burton’s life and works* Concise introductions to the major texts* Includes rare books appearing for the first time in digital publishing, including THE CITY OF THE SAINTS and THE LAKE REGIONS OF CENTRAL AFRICA* Images of how the books were first published, giving your eReader a taste of the original texts* Excellent formatting of the texts* Famous works are fully illustrated with their original artwork* Includes Burton’s rare poetry translations, available in no other collection* Features three biographies, including the seminal text by the author’s wife - discover Burton’s incredible life* Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genresCONTENTS:The BooksGOA AND THE BLUE MOUNTAINSFALCONRY IN THE VALLEY OF THE INDUSA COMPLETE SYSTEM OF BAYONET EXERCISEPERSONAL NARRATIVE OF A PILGRIMAGE TO AL MADINAH AND MECCAHFIRST FOOTSTEPS IN EAST AFRICATHE LAKE REGIONS OF CENTRAL AFRICATHE CITY OF THE SAINTS, AMONG THE MORMONS AND ACROSS THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS TO CALIFORNIATHE GUIDE-BOOK. A PICTORIAL PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA AND MEDINAVIKRAM AND THE VAMPIRE OR TALES OF HINDU DEVILRYA NEW SYSTEM OF SWORD EXERCISE FOR INFANTRYTWO TRIPS TO GORILLA LAND AND THE CATARACTS OF THE CONGOTHE LAND OF MIDIANA GLANCE AT THE PASSION-PLAYTO THE GOLD COAST FOR GOLDTHE KAMA SUTRA OF VATSYAYANATHE BOOK OF THE THOUSAND NIGHTS AND A NIGHTTHE PERFUMED GARDEN OF THE SHAYKH NEFZAWITHE JEW, THE GYPSY AND EL ISLAMTHE SENTIMENT OF THE SWORDThe Poetry BooksSTONE TALKTHE LUSIADSTHE KASIDAH OF HAJI ABDU EL-YEZDICAMOENS. THE LYRICKSTHE CARMINA OF CATULLUSThe BiographiesTHE LIFE OF SIR RICHARD BURTON by Thomas WrightTHE ROMANCE OF ISABEL, LADY BURTON by Isabel Lady Burton and W. H. WilkinsBRIEF BIOGRAPHY: RICHARD FRANCIS BURTON by James Sutherland Cotton