Arthur White – författare

Plague and Pleasure is a lively popular history that introduces a new hypothesis about the impetus behind the cultural change in Renaissance Italy. The Renaissance coincided with a period of chronic, constantly recurring plague, unremitting warfare and pervasive insecurity. Consequently, people felt a need for mental escape to alternative, idealized realities, distant in time or space from the unendurable present but made vivid to the imagination through literature, art, and spectacle.Pope Pius II experienced both plague and war during his reign and he exhibited many escapist behaviors typical of his period: the building of his “Shangri-La” at Pienza, his constant sight-seeing travels, his passion for natural scenery or Roman remains, his public spectacles, andthe humanism that immersed him in an idealized Roman past. This see-saw mentality of the period could plunge into melancholy when facing harsh realities and then propel them into ecstasies of makebelieve to counter their dispair.Plague and Pleasure uses the life and times of Pope Pius II as the framework for presenting a view of the Renaissance that the public can understand and appreciate and which may at least narrow the gap between the past known to scholars and that known to the public they ultimately serve.

30 years ago, Arthur White and Ian McDowalldramatically met God and were changed from drug-dealing, knife-carryingunderworld thugs to all-out followers of Jesus. Coming together as Tough Talk along with Joe Lampshire, their passionfor God took them onto the streets and into prisons, churches and schoolstelling everyone they could about the love of God. They still spend hours every week sharing theirpersonal testimonies and telling people about Jesus through their power-liftingdemonstrations, dynamic stories and infectious honesty. From meeting murderers in a South Africanprison, to bench press competitions in schools, Lifting the Darknessshares some amazing stories from 30 years on the road. Up front, straight down the line and ruthlesslyauthentic, these men take God seriously. Their message has touched countless lives and they hope it willencourage you in your faith too! Lifting theDarkness:* Shows howGod can make a difference in even the most challenging circumstances* Reveals howfollowing Jesus can provide lasting change in your life* Inspires youto step out in faith right where you are* Is aninspirational gift of hope to anyone needing encouragement* Helps you seehow you can share the gospel more effectively

Arthur White was a world champion power-lifter, a successful businessman, and a happy family man, until his life spiralled out of control. Cocaine, steroids, and an affair changed everything. Arthur lost his business, family, and his own health was severely threatened. Death seemed the only way out until an incident with a knife.....Arthur's life story is straight out of the annals of crime thriller and his conversion to the Christian faith dramatically demonstrates the reality of God's amazing grace.