Books with author Wim Coleman

Pastoral poetry was probably the creation of the Hellenistic poet Theocritus, and he was certainly its most distinguished exponent in Greek. Vergil not only transposed the spirit of Greek pastoral into an Italian setting, blending details from the life of his native countryside into the subsequent history of the genre. On publication the Eclogues won immediate acclaim and Vergil's reputation as a major poet was established. In this edition Robert Coleman describes the earlier pastoral tradition, sets Vergil's poems in historical perspective and evaluates the poet's distinctive contribution to the genre. In the commentary difficulties of interpretation are elucidated. Theocritean influences are examined in detail and points of interest in the language, style and subject-matter discussed. This is the fullest edition of the Eclogues to have appeared in any language and the first in English since the end of the nineteenth century. It is intended primarily for university students and sixth-formers but will be valuable to anyone interested in Latin poetry and the development of the pastoral genre.

Excerpts from the works of Locke, Paine, Adams, Franklin, and others provide an in-depth look at ideas on slavery, government, liberty, and human nature as the Continental Congress drafted, debated, and approved the Declaration of Independence. Revealing details on the changes made to Jefferson's original draft and the final version are shown, along with excerpts from the later ""Declaration of Women's Rights,"" comments by Lincoln, and the ""Black Declaration of Independence.""

This edited volume is about the Australian difference and how Australia's economic and social policy has diverged from the approach of other countries. Australia seems to be following a 'special path' of its own that it laid down more than a century ago. Australia's distinctive bent is manifested in a tightly regulated labour market; a heavy reliance on means testing and income taxation; a geographical centralization of political power combined with its dispersal amongst autonomous authorities, and electoral singularities such as compulsory and preferential voting. In seeking to explain this Australian Exceptionalism, the book covers a diverse range of issues: the strength and weakness of religion, democratic and undemocratic tendencies, the poverty of public debate, the role of elites, the exploitation of Australian sports stars, the politics of railways, the backwardness of agriculture, deviation from the Westminster system, the original encounter between European and Aboriginal cultures, and the heavy taxation of tobacco.Bringing together contributions from economists, economic historians, and political scientists, the volume seeks to understand why Australia is different. It offers a range of explanations from the 'historical legacy', to material factors, historical chance, and personalities.

Accounts of Shays' Rebellion, the Articles of Confederation, the call for a Federal Convention, key excerpts from the Virginia Plan, and notes recorded by James Madison provide the background to the framing of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. This volume also includes documents from Washington, Franklin, Jay, Hamilton, and others.

In 1846, two American nations went to war, precipitated by the U.S. annexation of Texas. This volume presents excerpts from the memoirs, letters, poetry, and journals of the men involved in, and protestors of, ""Mr. Polk's War"" including Zachary Taylor, Ulysses S. Grant, Jefferson Davis, General Stephen Watts Kearny, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, Kit Carson, John Greenleaf Whittier, and Henry David Thoreau.