David Griffiths – författare

‘I saw several fellows fall, one fellow coughing up blood and all the time, bullets were hacking about me. I ran for about 70 yards carrying with me all the Lewis gun things I had brought up and dropped breathless into a shell hole headlong onto a German who had been dead for months.’Harold Drinkwater was not supposed to go to war. He was told he was half an inch too short. But, determined to fight for king and country, he found a battalion that would take him and was soon on his way to the trenches of the Somme. As the war dragged on, Harry saw most of the men he joined up with killed around him. But, somehow, he survived.Soldiers were forbidden from keeping a diary so Harry wrote his in secret, recording the horrendous conditions and constant fear, as well as his pleasure at receiving his officer's commission, the joy of his men when they escaped the trenches for the Italian Front and the trench raid for which he was awarded the Military Cross. Harry writes with such immediacy it is easy to forget that a hundred years have passed. He is by turns wry, exhausted, annoyed, resigned and often amazed to be alive. Never before published, Harry's War is a moving testament to one man's struggle to keep his humanity in the face of unimaginable violence.

Looking for a reliable way to learn how to program on your own, without being overwhelmed by confusing concepts? "Head First Programming" introduces the core concepts of writing computer programs - variables, decisions, loops, functions, and objects - which apply regardless of the programming language. This book offers concrete examples and exercises in the dynamic and versatile Python language to demonstrate and reinforce these concepts. You can learn the basic tools to start writing the programs that interest you, and get a better understanding of what software can (and cannot) do. When you're finished, you'll have the necessary foundation to learn any programming language or tackle any software project you choose.With a focus on programming concepts, this book teaches you how to: understand the core features of all programming languages, including variables, statements, decisions, loops, expressions, and operators; reuse code with functions; use library code to save time and effort; select the best data structure to manage complex data; write programs that talk to the Web; share your data with other programs; and, write programs that test themselves and help you avoid embarrassing coding errors. We think your time is too valuable to waste struggling with new concepts. Using the latest research in cognitive science and learning theory to craft a multi-sensory learning experience, "Head First Programming" uses a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works, not a text-heavy approach that puts you to sleep.

Queer Studies: The Basics offers a concise and accessible introduction to the foundational principles, history, and contemporary concerns of queer studies. Organised across eight themed chapters, the book traces the development of queer theory from the late 20th century to the present, while exploring key topics such as identity, health, media, sex, and temporality. It takes a multidisciplinary and intersectional approach, introducing readers to key debates, concepts, and cultural contexts that have shaped the field.The book also reflects on how queer studies has evolved in response to social change, activism, and shifting understandings of gender and sexuality, offering readers a strong foundation for further study. This book is ideal for students and newcomers to queer studies across disciplines including gender studies, media studies, sociology, and cultural studies.

Queer Studies: The Basics offers a concise and accessible introduction to the foundational principles, history, and contemporary concerns of queer studies. Organised across eight themed chapters, the book traces the development of queer theory from the late 20th century to the present, while exploring key topics such as identity, health, media, sex, and temporality. It takes a multidisciplinary and intersectional approach, introducing readers to key debates, concepts, and cultural contexts that have shaped the field.The book also reflects on how queer studies has evolved in response to social change, activism, and shifting understandings of gender and sexuality, offering readers a strong foundation for further study. This book is ideal for students and newcomers to queer studies across disciplines including gender studies, media studies, sociology, and cultural studies.

According to conventional naval history, the Coastal Motor Boat was the brainchild of three enterprising young Royal Navy officers in the early stages of the First World War. This new book reveals that the truth was far more complex, and historically more significant. Research in previously unused family records shows that the shipbuilder John I Thornycroft played a pivotal role, building on his pre-war experience in the new sport of fast motor-boat racing, without which the technologically advanced CMB could never have been built.This book goes on to analyse the original role for which these boats were specifically designed – an attack on the German High Seas Fleet in its protected anchorages – and why the operation never took place. Later activities are covered but by the end of the war many regarded the CMB as a disappointment, if not a downright failure. This changed dramatically in 1919 with the RN’s intervention against the Bolsheviks, when CMBs spectacularly raided the Kronstad naval base following the single-handed sinking of the Russian cruiser Oleg by CMB.4. Although these operations have been written up many times previously, for the first time this book has had access to contemporary Soviet reports which throw much new light on these events and their significance.After the war, the Royal Navy lost interest in CMBs – unlike the Soviets who built large numbers of what were effectively copies – but the Thornycroft design continued to be built and operated by navies as far apart as those of Finland and China. Some of these saw action in the Second World War and these largely unreported actions are also covered.The story concludes with a description of the current project in Portsmouth Naval Base which aimed to build an exact replica of CMB.4. The information gleaned from this ‘experimental archaeology’ forms a fitting end to a book replete with new information and novel insights.

This book presents a collection of papers from experts in a broad range of disciplines, including history, archaeology, genetics, and linguistics, to provide a detailed understanding of the Vikings in peace and in war. It focuses on one particularly exciting area of the Viking world, namely the north-west section of England, where they are known to have settled in large numbers. The 12 integrated studies in this book are designed to reinvigorate the search for Vikings in this crucial region and to provide must-reading for anyone interested in Viking history.

Queer Studies: The Basics offers a concise and accessible introduction to the foundational principles, history, and contemporary concerns of queer studies. Organised across eight themed chapters, the book traces the development of queer theory from the late 20th century to the present, while exploring key topics such as identity, health, media, sex, and temporality. It takes a multidisciplinary and intersectional approach, introducing readers to key debates, concepts, and cultural contexts that have shaped the field.The book also reflects on how queer studies has evolved in response to social change, activism, and shifting understandings of gender and sexuality, offering readers a strong foundation for further study. This book is ideal for students and newcomers to queer studies across disciplines including gender studies, media studies, sociology, and cultural studies.

Queer Studies: The Basics offers a concise and accessible introduction to the foundational principles, history, and contemporary concerns of queer studies. Organised across eight themed chapters, the book traces the development of queer theory from the late 20th century to the present, while exploring key topics such as identity, health, media, sex, and temporality. It takes a multidisciplinary and intersectional approach, introducing readers to key debates, concepts, and cultural contexts that have shaped the field.The book also reflects on how queer studies has evolved in response to social change, activism, and shifting understandings of gender and sexuality, offering readers a strong foundation for further study. This book is ideal for students and newcomers to queer studies across disciplines including gender studies, media studies, sociology, and cultural studies.

First published in 1997. In the ''Masquerades of Nigeria'' and ''Touch'', the fourth volume of his mask: A Release of Acting Resources, David Griffiths investigates the use of mask in the Masquerade traditions of West Africa, and specially of Nigeria. The author persuasively argues in favour of a common language of masek performance, and focuses particularly on the manner in which the Nigerian dramatist Wole Soyinka explores the theatrical virtuosity and vibrancy of mask in his plays, specially his ''root'' play ''A Dance in the Forests''. David Griffiths then presents his short Trilogy of plays, under the title ''Touch'' which he created to explore the intricate subtleties of African mask in a manner accessible to Western actors. ''Touch'' is based on Soyinka''s play and arguably needs that as a point fo reference- but being directed to rad Soykina is to everyone''s benefit.

First published in 1997. In the ''Masquerades of Nigeria'' and ''Touch'', the fourth volume of his mask: A Release of Acting Resources, David Griffiths investigates the use of mask in the Masquerade traditions of West Africa, and specially of Nigeria. The author persuasively argues in favour of a common language of masek performance, and focuses particularly on the manner in which the Nigerian dramatist Wole Soyinka explores the theatrical virtuosity and vibrancy of mask in his plays, specially his ''root'' play ''A Dance in the Forests''. David Griffiths then presents his short Trilogy of plays, under the title ''Touch'' which he created to explore the intricate subtleties of African mask in a manner accessible to Western actors. ''Touch'' is based on Soyinka''s play and arguably needs that as a point fo reference- but being directed to rad Soykina is to everyone''s benefit.

Focusing on Commedia Dell''Arte, this work provides a historical and critical commentary of the Commedia. It highlights common factors between this genre and that of the Japanese Noh theatre. The author proposes six similarities: characters familiar to their audience and masked, minimal properties and scenery with the focus on the actor, the "families" of performers, a sharp mind as well as an agile body, a professional living on these skills and patronage, and a knowledgeable audience. Complementing this book is the play "Please Be Gentle" which explores the various tricks and devices of Commedia Dell''Arte acting.

Focusing on Commedia Dell''Arte, this work provides a historical and critical commentary of the Commedia. It highlights common factors between this genre and that of the Japanese Noh theatre. The author proposes six similarities: characters familiar to their audience and masked, minimal properties and scenery with the focus on the actor, the "families" of performers, a sharp mind as well as an agile body, a professional living on these skills and patronage, and a knowledgeable audience. Complementing this book is the play "Please Be Gentle" which explores the various tricks and devices of Commedia Dell''Arte acting.

The Viking Age lasted a little over three centuries, but has left a lasting legacy across Europe. These dynamic warrior-traders from Scandinavia, who fought and interacted with peoples as far apart as North America, Russia, and Central Asia, are some of the most recognizable historical figures in the western world. In the modern imagination they represent ruthlessness, heroism, adventurousness, and a unique prestige embellished by the wondrous tales and poetry of the sagas. Yet the sum of evidence for the Viking presence is far less clear than their reputation implies. In Search of Vikings presents a collection of papers from experts in a broad range of disciplines, including history, archaeology, genetics, and linguistics, to provide a detailed understanding of the Vikings in peace and in war. This book focuses on one particularly exciting area of the Viking world, namely the north-west region of England, where they are known to have settled in large numbers. North-west England was the crossroads between Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, and the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. It was a battleground for distant powers and dynasties, and its Irish Sea coastline created opportunities for trading and settlement. Silver hoards, burials, and Old Norse place-names attest to the Viking presence, and Scandinavian DNA is detectable amongst the modern population. The 12 integrated studies in this book are designed to reinvigorate the search for Vikings in this crucial region and to provide must-reading for anyone interested in Viking history.

Russia''s 18th-century drive toward modernity and empire under the two "greats" - Peter I and Catherine II - is captured in this work by one of Russia''s outstanding young historians. The author develops three themes: Russia''s relationship to the West; the transformation of "Holy Russia" into a multinational empire; and the effects of efforts to modernize Russia selectively along Western lines. Writing in a clear, crisp style, Kamenskii enlivens the narrative with observations from contemporary literary figures and political commentators that point up the lasting significance of the events he describes.

Russia''s 18th-century drive toward modernity and empire under the two "greats" - Peter I and Catherine II - is captured in this work by one of Russia''s outstanding young historians. The author develops three themes: Russia''s relationship to the West; the transformation of "Holy Russia" into a multinational empire; and the effects of efforts to modernize Russia selectively along Western lines. Writing in a clear, crisp style, Kamenskii enlivens the narrative with observations from contemporary literary figures and political commentators that point up the lasting significance of the events he describes.

First Published in 1998. This is the second volume of Mask: A Release if Acting Resources, and David Griffiths provides a detailed and sensitive view of the Japanese Noh theatre: historically, philosophically (with an evaluation of Zeami''s treatises) and in respect of the rigorous practicalities of Noh training. The latter is given particular authority and insight because of the access Griffiths had to Noh actors in training and performance. Greatly enhanced with the author''s illustrations, this volume gives one of the most accessible introductions to Noh that is available in English. Appended to the descriptive and analytic material is a short play, The Dove, written by Griffiths (and subsequently professionally performed) described as ''unashamedly'' acknowledging its Noh influence. This one-woman price is a sensitive and evocative drama with subtle references to its cultural source. Is potential as an exercise in mask work is excellent.