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Not According to Plan: Filmmaking under Stalin
by Maria BelodubrovskayaIn Not According to Plan, Maria Belodubrovskaya reveals the limits on the power of even the most repressive totalitarian regimes to create and control propaganda. Belodubrovskaya's revisionist account of Soviet filmmaking between 1930 and 1953 highlights the extent to which the Soviet film industry remained stubbornly artisanal in its methods, especially in contrast to the more industrial approach of the Hollywood studio system. Not According to Plan shows that even though Josef Stalin recognized cinema as a "mighty instrument of mass agitation and propaganda" and strove to harness the Soviet film industry to serve the state, directors such as Eisenstein, Alexandrov, and Pudovkin had far more creative control than did party-appointed executives and censors.
Not Your Average Zombie: Rehumanizing the Undead from Voodoo to Zombie Walks
by Chera KeeThe zombie apocalypse hasn’t happened—yet—but zombies are all over popular culture. From movies and TV shows to video games and zombie walks, the undead stalk through our collective fantasies. What is it about zombies that exerts such a powerful fascination? In Not Your Average Zombie, Chera Kee offers an innovative answer by looking at zombies that don’t conform to the stereotypes of mindless slaves or flesh-eating cannibals. Zombies who think, who speak, and who feel love can be sympathetic and even politically powerful, she asserts. Kee analyzes zombies in popular culture from 1930s depictions of zombies in voodoo rituals to contemporary film and television, comic books, video games, and fan practices such as zombie walks. She discusses how the zombie has embodied our fears of losing the self through slavery and cannibalism and shows how “extra-ordinary” zombies defy that loss of free will by refusing to be dehumanized. By challenging their masters, falling in love, and leading rebellions, “extra-ordinary” zombies become figures of liberation and resistance. Kee also thoroughly investigates how representations of racial and gendered identities in zombie texts offer opportunities for living people to gain agency over their lives. Not Your Average Zombie thus deepens and broadens our understanding of how media producers and consumers take up and use these undead figures to make political interventions in the world of the living.
Note to Self
by Connor FrantaIn his New York Times bestselling memoir, A Work in Progress, Connor Franta shared his journey from small-town Midwestern boy to full-fledged Internet sensation. Exploring his past with humor and astounding insight, Connor reminded his fans of why they first fell in love with him on YouTube—and revealed to newcomers how he relates to his millions of dedicated followers. Now, two years later, Connor is ready to bring to light a side of himself he’s rarely shown on or off camera. In this diary-like look at his life since A Work In Progress, Connor talks about his battles with clinical depression, social anxiety, self-love, and acceptance; his desire to maintain an authentic self in a world that values shares and likes over true connections; his struggles with love and loss; and his renewed efforts to be in the moment—with others and himself. Told through short essays, letters to his past and future selves, poetry, and original photography, Note to Self is a raw, in-the-moment look at the fascinating interior life of a young creator turning inward in order to move forward.
Notes from the Upside Down: An Unofficial Guide to Stranger Things
by Guy AdamsJump inside the world of Stranger Things and discover everything you need to know about the hit TV show.Grab your Eggo waffles and get ready for a visit to Hawkins, Indiana—just don’t forget the fairy lights! If you devoured Stranger Things on Netflix and you’re looking to fill the demogorgon-sized hole in your life, then look no further than Notes from the Upside Down. This fan-tastic guide has every fact you could ever wish for—from insights into the origins of the show, including the mysterious Montauk Project conspiracy theory; a useful eighties playlist (because, of course); and much more. If you’ve ever wondered why Spielberg is such a huge influence, which Stephen King books you need to read (hint: pretty much all of them), or how State Trooper David O’Bannon earned his name, then this book is for you. Entertaining, informative, and perfect for fans of eighties pop culture, Notes from the Upside Down is the Big Mac of unofficial guides to Stranger Things—super-sized and special sauce included.
Now We Are Six Hundred: A Collection of Time Lord Verse
by James GossWith illustrations by Russell T Davies, original showrunner of the new-era Doctor Who, the first ever Doctor Who poetry collection—a charming, funny and whimsical illustrated collection of verse that celebrates the joys and pitfalls of getting older . . . Time-Lord older.Like many of us, the older they get, the more Time Lords realize how little they understand the universe around them. This delightful collection of poems—the first volume of Doctor Who verse published—offers moments of insight, wit, and reassurance for the maturing inhabitants of Gallifrey (and everywhere else), including such delights as:THE ENDWhen I was OneI was not much funWhen I was TwoI was barely throughWhen I was ThreeI liked strong teaWhen I was FourI hated a boreWhen I was FiveI was really aliveWhen I was SixI somehow could never quite fit in to what was expected of me, well, not exactly but that was because things weren’t neat and there are no easy rhymes in the universe and scansion, my dear Peri, is a thing that’s really overrated and you only have to look at a sunset to realise that creation itself is a poem and oh no wait, got it, of course, Fix! The line needed to end with Fix! (Or tricks. That’s works too.)When I was SevenI sent the gods to HeavenWhen I was EightKissing was greatWhen I was NineI had forgotten timeWhen I was TenI began againWhen I was ElevenI totally got evenWhen I was Twelve, I became as clever as cleverAnd now I think I’ll be Twelve for ever and ever*(*Unless, of course, there is a terrible catastrophe involving explosions, radiation, or heights. And then I guess we’ll find out what comes next. But the eyebrows won’t be as good.)
Nutcracked
by Susan AdrianEnter the magical world of The Nutcracker in a whole new way with this perfect Christmas stocking stuffer! Christmastime, ballet, and magic! Georgie has waited for this moment her whole life—to dance the part of Clara in The Nutcracker ballet. And when she finally gets the part, it’s like a dream come true. . . . Literally. Every time Georgie dances with the Nutcracker doll, she leaves the ballet studio and enters a world where everything around her—the old wooden furniture, the Christmas tree, the carefully wrapped presents—is larger than life. It’s so magical, Georgie can’t wait to return again and again. Then the Nutcracker’s magic seeps into the real world, putting Georgie’s friend in danger. Everything is falling apart, and it’s almost Christmas! Can Georgie save her friend, the Nutcracker, and most of all, herself?
An Oak Tree
by Catherine LoveFirst Published in 2017. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an Informa company.
Obama: The Historic Presidency In Photographs
by Barack Obama Pete Souza<P>Relive the extraordinary Presidency of Barack Obama through White House photographer Pete Souza's behind-the-scenes images and stories--some published here for the first time--with a foreword from the President himself.During Barack Obama's two terms, Pete Souza was with the President during more crucial moments than anyone else--and he photographed them all. Souza captured nearly two million photographs of President Obama, in moments highly classified and disarmingly candid. <P>Obama: An Intimate Portrait reproduces more than 300 of Souza's most iconic photographs with fine-art print quality in an oversize collectible format. Together they document the most consequential hours of the Presidency--including the historic image of President Obama and his advisors in the Situation Room during the bin Laden mission--alongside unguarded moments with the President's family, his encounters with children, interactions with world leaders and cultural figures, and more. <P>Souza's photographs, with the behind-the-scenes captions and stories that accompany them, communicate the pace and power of our nation's highest office. They also reveal the spirit of the extraordinary man who became our President. We see President Obama lead our nation through monumental challenges, comfort us in calamity and loss, share in hard-won victories, and set a singular example to "be kind and be useful," as he would instruct his daughters. <P><b>A New York Times Bestseller</b>
Obama: The Historic Presidency of Barack Obama
by Mark Greenberg David M. TaitA vibrant celebration of President Obama in words and photographs, now updated with new material on the years since he left office. Through stunning images by White House photographers and others, as well as notable essays and quotes from a broad spectrum of people, this updated edition of Obama looks back at the president’s journey—from his remarkable victory to his significant milestones and final days in office to his life after the White House.Obama features rare and previously unseen photographs, along with iconic images and newspaper front pages. It also includes dramatic pictures—including the famous shot from the Situation Room as the president and his staff watched the live unfolding of the Osama bin Laden raid, and day-to-day images of Obama in his roles as world leader, policymaker, commander in chief, and father. There are lighthearted photos from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, late-night television appearances, and moments with the entire Obama family. Sixteen additional pages follow President Obama in recent years campaigning for Democratic candidates, engaging in philanthropic work, and traveling the world. The expanded volume also updates the status of many of Obama’s groundbreaking achievements, such as the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), the Iran nuclear deal, the Paris climate accord, EPA protections, transgender rights, DACA, and much more.
The Ocean Fell into the Drop: A Memoir
by Terence StampDuring my first visit to the cinema the empathy I felt from Gary Cooper was life-changing, and a secret dream was born in the darkened auditorium. Later, my forays to the East revealed an original take on humanity which fell into two categories: those who remembered and those who didn’t. The former by teaching the latter could transmit this memory, and communicate this spark of creation directly into the being of the other.The Ocean Fell into the Drop is a different kind of showbusiness memoir, one that traces Terence Stamp’s twin obsessions, acting and mysticism, and the relationship the two have to each other for him, through the trajectory of his life. On the way he discusses his directors, Fellini, Loach, Pasolini; actors, Olivier, Brando and Redgrave; and spiritual masters, Krishnamurti and Hazarat Inayat Khan, as well as his family, life in the East End, Sufism and style.
Octo-Man and the Headless Monster #1
by Jane Kelley Jessika Von InnerebnerZing, zong, zing. Brain flash! A pirate hook. Underground tunnels. Brains in jars. It's time for an Escapade!Clint McCool always has a lot of great ideas. That’s what makes him such a great hero. But sometimes he has too many great ideas. Armed with his super-powered cap, his brain flashes, and his two best friends, Clint is ready to solve any problem and find adventure anywhere. When he runs onto a film set, he gets into trouble. A lot of trouble. Can Clint McCool still save the day?This easy-to-read, highly-illustrated book is a perfect first chapter book, printed in black and blue to help readers transition from full-color picture books to black-and-white chapter books. Exciting adventures, relatable characters, and engaging art—early readers will love joining Clint McCool for his Escapades."Filled with outrageous situations and graphiclike illustrations, this chapter book is fast-paced and fun... ideal for reluctant readers"--School Library Journal"Relatable, likable Clint... could be a great role model for readers who struggle with focus, as he learns that sometimes it is better to be the boss of one idea at a time... This quirky, fast-paced series starter should easily get kids laughing"--Booklist
Odd Birds
by Ian HardingA 7-time Teen Choice Award Winner on Freeform's most-watched series, Pretty Little Liars … A social media influencer with over 7 million followers … An avid birdwatcher? Yes, you read that correctly. Ian Harding is all of these things, and so much more. In this memoir, explore the unexpected world of a young celebrity through the lens of his favorite pastime — birding.Odd Birds is more than just a Hollywood memoir or tell-all. At its heart, this book is a coming-of-age story in which Ian wrestles with an ever evolving question— how can he still be himself, while also being a celebrity. Each humorous and heartfelt story features a particular bird—sometimes literal, at other times figurative. Using this framework, Ian explores a variety of topics, including growing up, life as a television actor and nature lover, and whether it is better to shave or wax one’s chest for an on-screen love scene.A funny and heartwarming window into Ian’s life, Odd Birds is a must-read for fans of nature writing and memoir alike.
Of Grunge and Government: Let's Fix This Broken Democracy!
by Krist NovoselicThe Nirvana bassist “offers specific platforms for electoral reform . . . as well as charming anecdotes about rock ‘n’ roll as a pursuit of happiness” (Sarah Vowell, The New York Times Book Review). A memoir of both music and politics, Of Grunge and Government tells Krist Novoselic’s story of how during his years with Kurt Cobain and Nirvana, the band made a point of playing benefits—the Rock for Choice show, a concert for gay rights, a fundraising gig for the Balkan Women’s Aid Fund—and how in the ensuing years he has dedicated himself to being a good citizen and participating in American democracy. In this book he shares stories about making music and making a statement—as well as inspiring ideas for anyone who wants to advance progressive causes, to become a more active part of the community, and to make sure our votes count and our voices are heard.
The Off-Screen: An Investigation of the Cinematic Frame
by Eyal PeretzFrom the Renaissance on, a new concept of the frame becomes crucial to a range of artistic media, which in turn are organized around and fascinated by this frame. The frame decontextualizes, cutting everything that is within it from the continuity of the world and creating a realm we understand as the realm of fiction. The modern theatrical stage, framed paintings, the novel, the cinematic screen—all present us with such framed-off zones. Naturally, the frame creates a separation between inside and out. But, as this book argues, what is outside the frame, what is offstage, or off screen, remains particularly mysterious. It constitutes the primary enigma of the work of art in the modern age. It is to the historical and conceptual significance of this "off" that this book is dedicated. By focusing on what is outside the frame of a work of art, it offers a comprehensive theory of film, a concise history of American cinema from D.W. Griffith to Quentin Tarantino, and a reflection on the place and significance of film within the arts of modernity in general.
Off the Cliff: How the Making of Thelma & Louise Drove Hollywood to the Edge
by Becky AikmanA lively and revealing behind-the-scenes look at the making of one of history's most controversial and influential movies, drawing on exclusive interviews with the cast and crew.“You’ve always been crazy,” says Louise to Thelma, shortly after she locks a police officer in the trunk of his car. “This is just the first chance you’ve had to express yourself.” In 1991, Thelma & Louise, the story of two outlaw women on the run from their disenchanted lives, was a revelation. Suddenly, a film in which women were, in every sense, behind the wheel. It turned the tables on Hollywood, instantly becoming a classic, and continues to electrify audiences as a cultural statement of defiance. But if the film’s place in history now seems certain, at the time its creation was a long shot. Only through sheer hard work and more than a little good luck did the script end up in the hands of the brilliant English filmmaker Ridley Scott, who saw its huge potential. With Scott on board, a team willing to challenge the odds came together—including the stars Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon and a fresh-faced up-and-coming actor named Brad Pitt, as well as legends like actor Harvey Keitel, composer Hans Zimmer, and old-school studio chief Alan Ladd Jr.—to create one of the most controversial movies of all time. But before icons like Davis and Sarandon got involved, Thelma & Louise was just an idea in the head of Callie Khouri, a thirty-year-old music video production manager, who was fed up with working behind the scenes on sleazy sets. At four a.m. one night, sitting in her car outside the ramshackle bungalow in Santa Monica that she shared with two friends, she had a vision: two women on a crime spree, fleeing their dull and tedious lives—lives like hers—in search of a freedom they had never before been able to realize. But in the late 1980s, Hollywood was dominated by men, both on the screen and behind the scenes. The likelihood of a script by an unheard-of screenwriter starring two women in lead roles actually getting made was remote. But Khouri had one thing going for her—she was so inexperienced she didn't really know she would be attempting the nigh impossible. In Off the Cliff, Becky Aikman tells the full extraordinary story behind this feminist sensation, which crashed through barricades and upended convention. Drawing on 130 exclusive interviews with the key players from this remarkable cast of actors, writers, and filmmakers, Aikman tells an inspiring and important underdog story about creativity, the magic of cinema, and the unjust obstacles that women in Hollywood continue to face to this day.
Off the Page: Screenwriting in the Era of Media Convergence
by Daniel Bernardi Julian HoxterOff the Page examines the business and craft of screenwriting in the era of media convergence. Daniel Bernardi and Julian Hoxter use the recent history of screenwriting labor coupled with close analysis of scripts in the context of the screenwriting paraindustry—from “how to write a winning script” books to screenwriting software—to explore the state of screenwriting today. They address the conglomerate studios making tentpole movies, expanded television, Indiewood, independent animation, microbudget scripting, the video games industry, and online content creation. Designed for students, producers, and writers who want to understand what studios want and why they want it, this book also examines how scripting is developing in the convergent media, beneath and beyond the Hollywood tentpole. By addressing specific genres across a wide range of media, this essential volume sets the standard for anyone in the expanded screenwriting industry and the scholars that study it.
Ojo al cine
by Andrés CaicedoLibro que reúne lo mejor de los escritos de Andrés Caicedo sobre cine, muchos de estos publicados en Ojo al cine, la revista que él mismo fundó en los años setenta. Las reseñas que escribió Andrés Caicedo sobre cine no son convencionales, de hecho nada en su vida lo fue. Como la literatura, el rock y la salsa, el #séptimo arte# también era esencial para su existencia y uno de sus referentes constantes. El cine en sí mismo era un personaje y cada película que Caicedo veía se convertía en una obsesión. De ahí que los comentarios que componen este volumen sean pasionales, vibrantes y a la vez, sorprendentemente eruditos. Gracias a un laborioso trabajo de compilación realizado por Luis Ospina y Sandro Romero Rey, el libro Ojo al cine da a conocer la obra crítica de Caicedo y la cinefilia de una generación. Más de tres décadas después del suicidio de su autor, estos textos siguen despertando interés y todavía contagian la emoción del autor por el cine.
The Old-Time Television Trivia Book III
by Mel SimonsFrom the book's back cover: What was the original name of The Ed Sullivan Show? Who was the Mayor of Doodyville? What was the name of Groucho Marx's game show? THERE is no ONE who knows more about the glorious days of old-time radio and television than Mel Simons. For those who have read Mel's 16 books on the topic, you are in for yet another treat. Mel has once again dipped into the rich history of television during its heyday to bring you the latest in his series, The Old-Time Television Trivia Book III. The quizzes are varied and fun, and they bring back memories of the shows you loved, like The Ed Sullivan Show, The Show of Shows, and even The Howdy Doody Show. At the same time, you get to see more of Mel's collection of rare autographed photos of the TV stars who graced the Dumonts and RCA TVs back in the day. Mel Simons keeps his memories and love of radio and TV alive by writing his informative and entertaining books and living among his enormous collection of radio and TV memorabilia. He also delights audiences as he continues to entertain as a musician, raconteur and lecturer. He is a veteran personality on WBZ Radio where he tests his listeners trivia acumen in a unique and fun manner. Mel is a lifelong Boston resident and is an ardent Red Sox, Celtics and wrestling fan.
Olive and the Backstage Ghost
by Michelle SchustermanA ghost story with a literary heart for fans of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline and The Graveyard Book. Theater kids and ghost-story readers alike will find new meaning in the term stage fright. All great theaters have their ghosts. . . . After Olive Preiss freezes during a theater camp audition, she flees in despair. She finds herself at Maudeville, a beautiful old theater that she’s never noticed before. She enters, goes onstage, and sings her song. “Thank you for that lovely audition, darling,” comes a voice from the shadows. “I believe I have just the part for you.” Olive is thrilled to work with Maude Devore, the glamorous actress who owns the theater, and her eclectic cast of misfits. Yet gradually there are signs that Maudeville isn’t exactly what it seems. Sometimes—just for a moment!—it feels wrong. As opening day approaches, Olive’s doubts and fears grow. But no matter what, this show must go on . . . and on . . . and on. . . . “Equal parts heart and bone-deep creepiness.” —Claire Legrand, author of The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls
One Amazing Elephant
by Linda Oatman HighA poignant middle grade animal story from talented author Linda Oatman High that will appeal to fans of Katherine Applegate’s The One and Only Ivan. In this heartwarming novel, a girl and an elephant face the same devastating loss—and slowly realize that they share the same powerful love. Twelve-year-old Lily Pruitt loves her grandparents, but she doesn’t love the circus—and the circus is their life. She’s perfectly happy to stay with her father, away from her neglectful mother and her grandfather’s beloved elephant, Queenie Grace.Then Grandpa Bill dies, and both Lily and Queenie Grace are devastated. When Lily travels to Florida for the funeral, she keeps her distance from the elephant. But the two are mourning the same man—and form a bond born of loss. And when Queenie Grace faces danger, Lily must come up with a plan to help save her friend.
Only Fools and Stories: From Del Boy to Granville, Pop Larkin to Frost
by David Jason*** The Hilarious Number One Sunday Times Bestseller! ***The follow-up autobiography to one of Britain’s best loved actors and national treasures*As seen in David and Jay’s Touring Toolshed on BBC Two*In his first book David Jason told us about himself from his early years training as an electrician through to making it as one of Britain's greatest actors.This autumn, in a follow up autobiography, he tells us about the many other lives he has lived – his characters. From Del Boy to Granville, Pop Larkin to Frost, he takes us behind the scenes and under the skins of some of the best loved acts of his career.And in the process he reflects on how those characters changed his life too. The result told with his characteristic charm and wit is both funny and poignant, honest and heart warming.
Organizzare una festa da vero professionista
by Richard G Lowe Jr Silvia LiguoriGli anni precedenti la scomparsa di mia moglie, ero una di quelle persone che si possono definire introverse. Lavoravo nell'industria informatica, dipingevo miniature di fantasia, collezionavo francobolli ed ero un lettore appassionato. Il filo conduttore di tutte queste attività era il fatto che non fossero coinvolte altre persone. Tutto è cambiato però dopo la morte di mia moglie. La sensazione di dolore era devastante e dovevo fare qualcosa per uscire da quel tunnel oscuro e profondo. Coloro tra voi che hanno vissuto un lutto possono comprendere quel che sto dicendo. Il lutto è un luogo pericoloso in cui sprofondare: in esso non c'è proprio niente di salutare. Mi sono avvicinato alla fotografia e sono andato a immortalare la natura nei parchi nazionali, statali e locali della California del sud. Ho iniziato ad andare alle fiere, soprattutto al Festival rinascimentale locale. Mi sono imposto di essere più “social” e socievole, nonostante questo andasse contro una personale mentalità introversa. Ho iniziato a partecipare alle feste. Anche prima ovviamente ero stato ad altre feste, ma in generale ero parecchio riluttante e non mi fermavo mai troppo a lungo. Arrivavo senza buttarmi subito nella mischia e spesso gli altri invitati non si accorgevano nemmeno che fossi lì anch'io. Ora è tutto diverso per me. Quel tunnel oscuro di dolore non faceva per me. Stare all'aria aperta e frequentare altra gente mi ha guidato verso la mia rinascita. La cosa interessante dei festival rinascimentali è la natura sociale delle persone coinvolte. In men che non si dica ero diventato già il fotografo ufficiale del Festival del Rinascimento e mi invitavano alle loro feste ed eventi sociali. Un mondo completamente nuovo per me, un mondo di socializzazione con altre persone. All'inizio, non avevo la minima idea di cosa fare e mi sentivo un po' spaesato. Dopo aver conosciuto nuova gente a feste ed eventi, si è aperto uno spiraglio e ho ricominciato a divertirmi.
Orphan, Agent, Prima, Pawn
by Elizabeth KiemThe Bolshoi Saga: SvetlanaThe year is 1958, and sixteen-year-old Svetlana is stuck in a Moscow orphanage designated for the unwanted children of Stalin’s enemies. Ballet is her obsession and salvation, her only hope at shedding a tainted family past. When she is invited to join the Bolshoi Ballet—the crown jewel of Russian culture and the pride of the Soviet Union—her dreams appear to have been realized. But she quickly learns that nobody’s past or secrets are safe.The dreaded KGB knows about the mysterious trances Sveta has suffered, inexplicable episodes that seem to offer glimpses of the past. Some very powerful people believe Sveta is capable of serving the regime as more than a ballerina, and they wish to recruit her to spy on the West as part of the nascent Soviet psychic warfare program. If she is to erase the sins of her family, if she is to dance on the world stage for the Motherland—if she is to survive—she has no choice but to explore her other gift.
Orphan Black Classified Clone Reports: The Secret Files of Dr. Delphine Cormier
by Delphine CormierFrom the secret files of Dr. Delphine Cormier, comes this ultimate guide to all of the characters, conspiracies, and shadowy organizations in the smart, innovative BBC America television thriller Orphan Black.Designed to resemble the classified files and notes of Dr. Delphine Cormier, this in-world compendium chronicles the inner workings of the mysterious people and organizations at the heart of the acclaimed hit television series Orphan Black. A detailed and creative look at the thrilling international hit series, Orphan Black Classified Clone Report includes detailed dossiers of Sarah Manning, Felix Dawkins, and all of the show’s beloved characters; examines every twist and turn from season one to the present; provides exclusive information on the Dyad Institute, the Neolution clone program, and the notorious Proletheans; and features observations of the different clones from their monitors, classified intelligence, breakthroughs in Cosima’s research, and private journal entries chronicling Delphine’s experience with the clone club and her own complicated love for Cosima. Packed with exclusive concept art, photos, and intriguing removable inserts and ephemera, Orphan Black Classified Clone Report is an immersive reading experience and essential companion for fans of Orphan Black.
Oscar Wilde's Last Stand: Decadence, Conspiracy, and the Most Outrageous Trial of the Century
by Philip HoareA New York Times Notable Book of the Year that Sir Ian McKellen called "a shocking tale of heroes and villains-illuminating and upsetting in equal measure.”The first production of Oscar Wilde’s Salomé in 1918, with American exotic dancer Maud Allan dancing lead, ignited a firestorm in London spearheaded by Noel Pemberton Billing, a member of Parliament and self-appointed guardian of family values. Billing attacked Allan in the right-wing newspaper Vigilante as a member of the "Cult of the Clitoris,” a feminine version of the "Cult of the Wilde,” a catchall for the degeneracy and perversion he was convinced had infected the land. He claimed that a black book was in the hands of their enemies the Germans, a book that contained the names of thousands of the British establishment who without doubt were members of the cult. Threat of exposure was costing England the war.Allan sued Billing for libel, and the ensuing trial, brought to life in this authoritative, spellbinding book, held the world in thrall. Was there or was there not a black book? What names did it contain? The trial was both hugely entertaining and deadly serious and raised specters of hysteria, homophobia, and paranoia that, like Oscar Wilde himself, continue to haunt us. As in Wilde’s own trial in 1895, libel was hardly the issue; the fight was for control over the country’s moral compass. In Oscar Wilde’s Last Stand, biographer and historian Philip Hoare gives us the full drama of the Billing trial, gavel to gavel, and brings to life this unique, bizarre, and fascinating event.Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.