Peter Webster Libros

This book is the first full-length treatment of Walter Hussey's work as a patron between 1943 and 1978, first for the Anglican parish church of St Matthew in Northampton, and then at Chichester Cathedral. He was responsible for the most significant sequence of works of art commissioned for the British churches in the twentieth century. They included music by Benjamin Britten, Leonard Bernstein and William Walton, visual art by Henry Moore, Graham Sutherland and Marc Chagall, and poetry by W. H. Auden. Placing Hussey in theological context and in a period of rapid cultural change, it explores the making and reception of the commissions, and the longer-term influence of his work, still felt today. As well as contributing to the religious and cultural history of Britain, and of Anglo-Catholicism and the cathedrals in particular, the book will be of interest to all those concerned with the relationship between theology and the arts, and to historians of music and the visual arts.

Immer am Puls der Zeit - Innenansichten einer der lebendigsten Metropolen der Welt. Obwohl sich seit dem Erscheinen von TASCHENs erstem New York Interiors vor über zehn Jahren in Big Apple viel verändert hat, ist es immer wieder der frische Mix aus coolen Macher und Magglern, die der Stadt ihren Charakter geben. Die Interiors sind dafür der schönste Beweis. New York war schon immer ein Magnet für kreative Leute. Doch seit dem 11. September 2001 sind Ideen wieder gefragter als Geld, wie der große Zulauf an Grafikern, Innenarchitekten, Künstlern, Galeristen und Kunstsammlern zeigt. Und gegenüber von Manhattan, auf der anderen Seite des Hudson River, lebt es sich in Brooklyn in erschwinglicheren Vierteln wie Williamsburg komfortabel, abseits vom Leben auf der Überholspur. Herausgeberin Angelika Taschen hat persönlich diese neue Sammlung interessanter und vielfältiger Interiors ausgewählt und verschafft Einblicke in die Apartments von Künstlern wie Terence Koh und Julian Schnabel, Musiker Rufus Wainwright, Porno-Diva Vanessa del Rio, Schauspielerin Julianne Moore und vielen anderen mehr. Sie alle zeigen die facettenreiche, faszinierende Lebensart der New Yorker.

The secretive Mysteries conducted at Eleusis in Greece for nearly two millennia have long puzzled scholars with strange accounts of initiates experiencing otherworldly journeys. In this groundbreaking work, three experts—a mycologist, a chemist and a historian—argue persuasively that the sacred potion given to participants in the course of the ritual contained a psychoactive entheogen. The authors then expand the discussion to show that natural psychedelic agents have been used in spiritual rituals across history and cultures. Although controversial when first published in 1978, the book’s hypothesis has become more widely accepted in recent years, as knowledge of ethnobotany has deepened. The authors have played critical roles in the modern rediscovery of entheogens, and The Road to Eleusis presents an authoritative exposition of their views. The book’s themes of the universality of experiential religion, the suppression of that knowledge by exploitative forces, and the use of psychedelics to reconcile the human and natural worlds make it a fascinating and timely read. This 30th anniversary edition includes an appreciative preface by religious scholar Huston Smith and an updated exploration of the chemical evidence by Peter Webster.

Examines the relationship between rock art, shamanism, and the origins of human existence. The Dream on the Rock takes an interdisciplinary approach to contextualizing and historicizing the phenomenon of shamanism from the Neolithic Age until the beginning of the Iron Age. Fulvio Gosso and Peter Webster argue that rock art and other ancient materials provide a glimpse of the fundamental role played by nonordinary states of consciousness in our social and evolutionary prehistory. Ultimately, the authors offer a comprehensive exploration of shamanism, religion, and the origins of human consciousness, along with evidence that hallucinogenic plants may have played a key role in this process. “This study establishes the use of psychoactive sacraments as the primordial experience that stimulated the evolution of human consciousness and its sense of the divine. It also documents the developing history of this shamanic event through an examination of cave and rock art worldwide, not only in paintings and engravings, but in the strange phenomenon of cup-marks carved in stone in the Alpine region, which may have played a role in the ritual use of the psychoactive Amanita muscaria mushroom. It is the first book to examine the full range of evidence and to place central Europe also in this context.” — Carl A. P. Ruck, author of Sacred Mushrooms of the Goddess: Secrets of Eleusis

The story revolves around Jane Grain, who grapples with her late husband's will, leaving the bulk of the inheritance to her greedy elder sons while the youngest, Michael, receives only Tom, the lazy mill cat. When the local witch Peri grants Tom the ability to speak, he devises a plan for wealth. Simultaneously, Scapegrace the Ogre, despite his riches, seeks fulfillment and considers marriage, leading to ambitious plans to claim both a kingdom and Princess Rose. Themes of greed, ambition, and unexpected alliances intertwine as the characters pursue their desires.

The story follows Dick and his cat Calico as they arrive in London, hoping to find success but facing initial rejection. Fortunately, Alderman Fitzwarren's daughter, Alice, advocates for Dick, securing him a job. Meanwhile, Calico is enlisted by the cook, Tapioca Dripping, to protect the pantry from pesky rats. This charming tale highlights themes of friendship, perseverance, and the importance of kindness in overcoming adversity.

Exploring the gritty life of a working rock band at the turn of the millennium, the narrative delves into the intense emotions and experiences that come with life on tour. It captures the juxtaposition of joy and creativity against the backdrop of horror and struggle, emphasizing the darker side of the music industry. The phrase "this ain't rock and roll; this is genocide" underscores the extreme challenges faced by the band, highlighting the toll that fame and the relentless pursuit of success can take on artists.

The collection features a series of poems that capture a journey of introspection and reflection, showcasing the author's evolving thoughts and observations over an extended period. Each piece offers a unique glimpse into the poet's mind, revealing the intricacies of their experiences and emotions.

Focusing on Walter Hussey's influential role as a patron from 1943 to 1978, the book examines his significant contributions to the arts within British churches, particularly at St Matthew's and Chichester Cathedral. It highlights his commissions of music by renowned composers like Benjamin Britten and visual art from celebrated artists such as Henry Moore and Marc Chagall. The narrative situates Hussey within a theological framework and a time of cultural transformation, analyzing the impact and lasting legacy of his artistic endeavors.