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Books in Arts and humanities

Elsevier's Arts and Humanities titles encompass a rich spectrum of scholarship that explores human culture, history, philosophy, and creative expression. These works offer deep insights into language, literature, visual arts, and critical theory, supporting the academic community in understanding diverse perspectives and cultural legacies. Designed for scholars, educators, and students, this collection bridges classic studies with contemporary issues, fostering a deeper appreciation and knowledge of the human experience.

  • A Short History of France

    • 1st Edition
    • D. J. Peters
    • English
    A Short History of France comprises brief accounts of significant events in the history of France. Some of the topics discussed in this book include the origins of France; Capetians to St. Louis; Joan of Arc and the restoration of France at the end of the Middle Ages; France from Charles VIII to the rise of Catherine de' Medici; end of the Valois line and the reign of Henry IV; and Mazarin and the years of the Fronde. Louis XIV and the establishment of absolutism; Waterloo to the revolution of 1848; The Second Empire and its collapse; and events in the last 50 years in France are also described in this text. This publication is valuable to French language and literature students who wish to gain general knowledge on French history.
  • Matrix Methods of Structural Analysis

    • 1st Edition
    • R. K. Livesley
    • English
    Matrix Methods of Structural Analysis presents how concepts and notations of matrix algebra can be applied to arriving at general systematic approach to structure analysis. The book describes the use of matrix notation in structural analysis as being theoretically both compact and precise, but also, quite general. The text also presents, from the practical point of view, matrix notation as providing a systematic approach to the analysis of structures related to computer programming. Matrix algebraic methods are useful in repeated calculations where manual work becomes tedious. The Gaus-Seidel method and linear programming are two methods to use in solving simultaneous equations. The book then describes the notation for loads and displacements, on sign conventions, stiffness and flexibility matrices, and equilibrium and compatibility conditions. The text discusses the formulation of the equilibrium method using connection matrices and an alternative method. The book evaluates the compatibility method as programmed in a computer; and it discusses the analysis of a pin-jointed truss and of a rigid-jointed truss. The book presents some problems when using computers for analyzing structures, such as decision strategy, accuracy, and checks conducted on handling large matrices. The text also analyzes structures that behave in a non-linear manner. The book is suitable for structural engineers, physicist, civil engineers, and students of architectural design.
  • The Future of Music

    The Commonwealth and International Library: Music Division
    • 1st Edition
    • Edward J. Dent
    • K. A. Wright Obe
    • English
    The Future of Music was first published under the title TERPANDER or Music and the Future in 1926 in a series ""To-day and Tomorrow"" (Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co. Ltd.). It has been reset and is reissued as a tribute to a great British musician, Edward J. Dent. Dent was fifty years old when he wrote this little book the future of music. Though his book is concerned with twentieth-century music he scarcely mentions any living composer by name. He is dealing primarily with taste and with our varied reactions to the music of the past and the present. The past is important, because it is both a key and an obstacle to our appreciation of the present. For this reason Dent includes a masterly summary of the history of music, from which his own preferences are almost entirely excluded; and to this is added a miniature essay on aesthetics which can be read with profit even by those who have no special interest in music.
  • How to Find Out About the Arts

    A Guide to Sources of Information
    • 1st Edition
    • Neville Carrick
    • G. Chandler
    • English
    How to Find Out About the Arts: A Guide to Sources of Information discusses the main sources of information, printed or otherwise, in the field of the arts. The book begins by describing where information on art careers can be found. Separate chapters then discuss how information on art can be traced in libraries by means of the catalogue and classification scheme; and turning to bibliographies when information on a particular aspect of art cannot be traced by these means. Subsequent chapters deal with sources such as encyclopedias and dictionaries, general indexes to reproductions and portraits, works on iconography, periodicals, directories, yearbooks, and sales records. This book aims to serve some of the needs of the student of art, the experienced artist, and indeed all of those with an intelligent interest in the arts. In particular, it should help those in libraries, colleges, and other educational institutions whose task it is to guide others to the right sources.
  • Society, Schools and Progress in the U.S.A

    The Commonwealth and International Library: Education and Educational Research
    • 1st Edition
    • Edmund J. King
    • Edmund. J. King
    • English
    Society, Schools and Progress in the U.S.A is one of a mutually supporting series of books on Society, Schools and Progress in a number of important countries or regions. The books in the series are arranged in a fairly uniform pattern. They all begin with the historical and institutional background. They then go on to describe administration, the school system, family influences, and background social forces in much the same order of progression. The series is intended to serve students of sociology, government and politics, as well as education. This book deals with the specific case of the United States of America. It considers the American contribution to world-wide expectations. It examines how the American debate is no longer about the neighborhood school—it is about the American nation's identity and purpose, about efficiency in the least reorganized yet biggest industry. It analyzes the various aspects of American schools, school practices, students, teachers, teaching, and learning. It discusses how the American public school ideal has prevailed to be an inspiration and conceptual model for mankind.
  • What Happens in School

    The Commonwealth and International Library: Pergamon Educational Guides
    • 1st Edition
    • Violet Gordon
    • I. R. Maxwell + 1 more
    • English
    What Happens in School describes school procedure in England and the philosophies which support it. It attempts to tell a story of what really goes on in the schools and to explain, with an extraordinary sensitivity, the curriculum which is thought to be appropriate at each stage. The result is a pen picture of school life which is typical and representative rather than the rule. The author brings to the subject a lifetime of creative service in the cause of education. The essential humanity of her broad and catholic approach to the schools is reflected nowhere more apparent than in What Happens in School, which contains a distillation of knowledge accumulated over the years. Her book describes the most up-to-date features of schools of all kinds, from the nursery school to the special school. This book was written with the parent, the student, and the interested observer in mind, giving an account of educational practice without overcrowding the text with references and detail. It should be an invaluable guide for those (and particularly parents and students in training colleges and universities) who are seeking a practitioner's commentary on what the schools are trying to achieve.
  • Architectural Reflections

    Studies in the Philosophy and Practice of Architecture
    • 1st Edition
    • Colin St John Wilson
    • English
    Architectural Reflections: Studies in the Philosophy and Practice of Architecture focuses on the principles, techniques, and the philosophical context and practice of architecture. The book first ponders on natural imagination, ethics of architecture, and an interpretation of Wittgenstein's comments on architecture. Topics include the meaning of play, language-game and gesture-language, role of aesthetics, reality of architecture, fine art and practical art, origin of the work of architecture, concept of psychological 'position', artistic condensation, and figures of architectural form. The manuscript then examines Alvar Aalto and the state of modernism and Gunnar Asplund and the dilemma of classicism. Topics include modernism and modernismus, issue of classicism, and connections and collaborations. The text takes a look at the thoughts of Hans Scharoun, Sigurd Lewerentz, and Gerrit Rietveld on the relationship of philosophy and architecture. The publication is a valuable reference for philosophers and architects wanting to study further the philosophy and practice of architecture.
  • Civil Appellate Practice in the Minnesota Court of Appeals

    • 1st Edition
    • Laura S. Underkuffler + 1 more
    • English
    Civil Appellate Practice in the Minnesota Court of Appeals is a comprehensive practitioner's guide to civil appellate practice and procedure in the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Rules, case law, and practical considerations that bear on practice in the Minnesota Court of Appeals are the book's primary concern. Decisions by the Minnesota Supreme Court that bear on practice in the intermediate court, or that are of general applicability, are included as well. The book begins with a brief description of the history and organization of the court of appeals. It then proceeds to take the reader through the various steps encountered in the prosecution of a case through the intermediate appellate court. Areas covered include jurisdiction; the initiation of appellate proceedings, including appealable judgments and orders, the effect of an appeal on remaining trial court proceedings, the procedure for appeal by multiple parties, the scope of review on appeal from a judgment or order, the time within which an appeal must be taken, and the manner in which an appeal must be perfected; the procedure involved in obtaining a writ of mandamus or prohibition; preargument motion practice; the record on appeal; the preparation of briefs and appendixes; oral argument; and postdecision procedures.
  • Verse Writing in Schools

    The Commonwealth and International Library: Pergamon Oxford English Series
    • 1st Edition
    • Eric J. Bolton
    • D. Mattam
    • English
    Verse Writing in Schools presents methods in creative writing that can be used in English classes in the same way as a grammar textbook. The book focuses on the teaching and appreciation of poems to children new to poetry writing. The book is organized into 3 chapters discussing the intricacies of teaching poetry writing to children. The first chapter deals with problems facing the teacher when dealing with children who does not have any background in verse writing and poetry. It then discusses, in Chapter 2, what should be done once the children become accustomed to writing poetry, to prevent them from writing lifeless verses. The last chapter explores the qualities, themes, social, and psychological predisposition of children as reflected in their works. Educators, teachers, and students studying English language education courses will find this book an interesting reference.
  • European Guide to Social Science Information and Documentation Services

    • 1st Edition
    • Svobodozarya Gabrovska + 2 more
    • English
    European Guide to Social Science Information and Documentation Services provides an inventory of Social Science Information and Documentation (SSID) services. The services are alphabetically arranged based on their English name in order of country. The services are numbered from 1 to 215. The numbering of the items describing the services corresponds to the numbering of the questionnaire provided at the end of the guide. This book will be of great interest to various individuals who require references regarding the SSID services.