Written by an anonymous English monk during the late fourteenth century; The Cloud of Unknowing holds an important place in the history of both Western literature and spirituality. Though originally intended for a select audience; the work's simple; engaging style has won it widespread popularity since its rediscovery more than a century ago. The Cloud puts forth a method of contemplation that stresses the impotence of the understanding to break through the cloud of unknowing that separates God and humanity. Rather; "it is love alone that can reach God in this life". In his preface to this volume; Simon Tugwell sums up the challenge that the author of The Cloud presents us today: "If we wish to follow him; we must be prepared to be taxed to the limit. But if we have the courage and the ability to follow him; we shall not find that our efforts has been in vain."
#191287 in Books Hill and Wang 2007-01-09 2007-01-09Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .2 x 5.50l; .65 #File Name: 0809028115256 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. One of the Better Books about the Barbary WarsBy MWRNRFrank Lambert's "The Barbary Wars: American Independence in the Atlantic World" is one of the better books about the Barbary Wars. It does a good job at covering the political and religious views of those living in the United States and the various Barbary Nations. It also touches on these same views of those living in Europe. "The Barbary Wars" is far superior in these areas than either "Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates" or "The Crescent Obscured." The book does not cover military activities and actions in great detail; which actually allows the reader to better follow the political and religious dialogue better. For the best book on the military military activities and actions during the Barbary Wars I recommend "Dawn Like Thunder" by Glenn Tucker.Minor complaints are that the photos and illustrations are not in chronological order and the author occasionally gets descriptions of naval ships confused; e.g.; the USS Guerriere was a 44-gun frigate (not a 74-gun ship-of-the-line as the author states) and USS Ontario was a 20-gun sloop-of-war built at Baltimore in 1813 (not a British sloop captured by Decator as the author states). USS Epervier; which was a captured British 18-gun brig-sloop (but not captured by Decator) also accompanied the Guerriere and Ontario to the Mediterranean in 1815. Also; USS Independence; which was a new 74-gun ship-of-the-line; did show up in the Mediterranean after Decatur had obtained peace with Algiers in 1815.12 of 12 people found the following review helpful. More Exciting Than Fiction!By DougThe setting of this book is the United States of America has recently become a sovereign nation. However; unlike the major colonialist powers of Europe (e.g.; Britain; France; Spain; etc.); the U.S. lacks a formidable navy and a respected presence in the high seas. At this time; the Mediterranean sea is overrun by ruthless pirates whose activities are endorsed; if not outright ordered by the quasi-independent ruling heads of Morocco; Algiers; Tunis and Tripoli; which are collectively known as the Barbary states. As a result; U.S. merchant ships are plundered; U.S. gun ships are commandeered; the U.S. itself is extorted to paying an annual tribute and U.S. citizens are routinely either held for ransom or sold into slavery.If you want an informative; engaging and concise book on the U.S.' wars with the Barbary pirates; look no further than this. In this book; you will learn about:* All of the major tariff laws which led up to the Declaration of Independence (i.e.; Navigation Acts; Revenue (Sugar) Act; Stamp Act; Townshed Duties and the Tea Act).* The two major wars with the Barbary states. The first; which is known as the Tripolitian War (1801-1805) and the second; which is known as the Algerine War (1815).* The Tripolitan capture of the U.S. 36 gun frigate; a top-of-the-line gunship that would have been devastating under pirate control. To counter this deadly advantage; Lieutenant Stephen Decatur lead a daring and successful incursion into the Tripolitan harbor to burn the the USS Philadelphia; so that it can never be used by the pirates against the U.S. In particularly; you will learn about how Decatur surreptitiously disguised his vessel as a distressed; anchorless merchant ship that needs to be docked on shore.* William Eaton's courageous 500-mile march through Libyan desert to launch a surprise attack on Derne; a coastal fortress which was not prepared for a land attack. This was the decisive victory in the Tripolitan War.* The overt contrast between the treaty of the Tripolitan war and the Algerine War. The first treaty was the result of negotiation (with the soon-to-be-infamous Tobias Lear representing the U.S.). For example; it declared that the Tripolitans reduce the amount of the tribute that they demanded by 90% (Thus; conceding that forcing the U.S. to pay tribute; in principle; was still acceptable.) Even though Jefferson evidently approved of such limited terms; this was an outrage to the U.S. domestically as well as to the war heroes such as Eaton and Decatur.In contrast; the terms of second treaty were dictated by the U.S. In particular; Decatur demanded that the pirates:- disavow all demands of tribute and ransom.- return all American prisoners and property captured through piracy.- allow all ships with a U.S. flag pass unmolested in the Mediterranean.Interestingly enough; the Dey of Algiers wanted to deliberate on the treaty overnight. Decatur famously replied that he would allow "not a minute; if your squadron appears in sight before the treaty is actually signed [...] ours will capture them." The terms that Decatur obtained in the treaties were unimaginable before the war; considering the decades of harassment that the U.S. faced at the hand of the Barbary pirates.This is an amazing book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good readBy Ian BrownThis book illustrates; in a clear and professional fashion; a generally untold period of American history. It explains well the events and struggles following the war for independence which greatly contributed to the shaping of the U.S. I highly recommend it for any interested in the United States' formative years.
