The Atlantic represented a world of opportunity in the eighteenth century; but it represented division also; separating families across its coasts. Whether due to economic shifts; changing political landscapes; imperial ambitions; or even simply personal tragedy; many families found themselves fractured and disoriented by the growth and later fissure of a larger Atlantic world. Such dislocation posed considerable challenges to all individuals who viewed orderly family relations as both a general and a personal ideal. The more fortunate individuals who thus found themselves 'all at sea' were able to use family letters; with attendant emphases on familiarity; sensibility; and credit; in order to remain connected in times and places of considerable disconnection. Portraying the family as a unified; affectionate; and happy entity in such letters provided a means of surmounting concerns about societies fractured by physical distance; global wars; and increasing social stratification. It could also provide social and economic leverage to individual men and women in certain circumstances. Sarah Pearsall explores the lives and letters of these families; revealing the sometimes shocking stories of those divided by sea. Ranging across the Anglophone Atlantic; including mainland American colonies and states; Britain; and the British Caribbean; Pearsall argues that it was this expanding Atlantic world; much more than the American Revolution; that reshaped contemporary ideals about families; as much as families themselves reshaped the transatlantic world.
#342517 in Books Cicero Walsh P G 2008-08-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.00 x .40 x 7.60l; .45 #File Name: 0199540063288 pagesThe Nature of the Gods
Review
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Thought provoking work; good translationBy Christopher R. TraversThis is a review of the translation published by Oxford World's Classics.In this work; Cicero tackles the question of theology from the perspective of the schools of thought in Rome in the first century BCE. The theories of the Epicurians; the Academics; and the Stoics are given a lot of space; but the history of philosophical theology is touched on in some detail too. Many of the theories are ones that seem quite contemporary. We see the same arguments for the existence of God today.The book is wide ranging; discussing everything from epistemology to theology. Moreover the introduction discusses the historical importance of this work in early Christianity (which may be one reason why the theories seem contemporary) as well as the context in which it was written.This is a book that will make you think; and will make you see current theology debates with new eyes. Highly recommended.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Good book. Worth readingBy Nancy BlackGood book. Worth reading. I recommend this edition; Oxford Worlds Classics; because the introduction is so informative and helpful in understanding the arguments presented in the book.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. this book will not be a waste of timeBy CustomerAn interesting read; the book as a bit more wide ranging than I expected... however if you wrestle with theological questions of your own; this book will not be a waste of time.
