David Metzger – författare

The second part of Medievalism and the Academy identifies the four specific questions that have come to focus recent scholarship in medievalism: What is difference? what is theory? woman? God?The impact of cultural studies on contemporary medieval studies is investigated in this latest volume of Studies in Medievalism, which also offers an account of the developing interest of contemporary cultural theorists inthe medieval period. Rather than dismissing the connection between medieval studies and cultural criticism as an expression of academic self-interest, the essays identify specific questions which engage both, such as race, history, women, religion, and literature. Topics include the use of Augustine by postcolonial theorists; the influence of studies in medieval mysticism on the development of women's studies programs; and the influence of Foucault and NewHistoricism on the study of medieval history.Contributors: ELLIE RAGLAND, TIMOTHY RICHARDSON, MICHAEL BERNARD-DONALS, CLAY KINSNER, LINDA SEXSON, REBECCA DOUGLASS, LOUISE SYLVESTER, RICHARD GLEJZER, CHARLES WILSON, ANDREW J. DELL'OLIO

Patrick: Adventures Along the Oregon Trail is a historical fiction work for young readers. Patrick is an adventuresome, quick-witted ten-year-old who likes to carve targets in trees and throw stones at them. He has a strong arm and a good aim. One day his parents decide that they should leave their small farm in Missouri, and join a wagon train heading to Oregon. From his father's statements, Patrick calculates the trip will be over 2,000 miles. His father sells their horse, builds a prairie schooner wagon, and the adventures begins. Patrick is bored with walking by the wagon and ventures out into the ever-changing landscape. His strong arm and good aim even provide dinner one night. All is well until the wagon train enters Indian country. The Arapahos attack the wagon train, but the travelers resist them with sharp shooting. Once again, Patrick's arm comes through. But as he subsequently was exploring away from the wagons, a war party of Arapahos abduct him and take him to their chief, Chief Black Coal. The chief tests Patrick in different ways. With each test, his life hangs in the balance. His values, such as honesty, throwing skills, and strong legs are put to the test. The question is: Will he ever see his family again?

Patrick is a ten-year-old living in in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the city where Little League began. He diligently throws baseballs at a target he chalked on a concrete wall to prepare for the coming Little League season. He has a strong arm and a good aim. His adventures put him in constant touch with grown-ups. He looks them in the eye when he talks to them. A famous ball player provides him some pitching tips, and he eagerly accepts the advice. His throwing not only comes in handy dealing with a bully, but also wins him the starting pitcher position in the regular Little League season. His pitching skills draw criticisms from the dads of the batters he continually strikes out. This leads to a meeting with the Little League Board. At the end of the regular season, the first National Little League Tournament, (later called the Little League World Series), is scheduled to start. As a successful pitcher in the regular season, Patrick fully expects to be picked for the team that will represent his league in the first Little League National Tournament. His regular season coach comes to his house with the news. The ups and downs in Patrick's life from then on are a roller coaster ride, the best of days and the worst of days. Whether up or down, Patrick approaches life with honesty, courage, team loyalty, and quick wits. Life for him is an unrelenting adventure.

"e;Betsy: The Adventures of an Early American Girl"e; is a historical fiction story of a young girl growing up in colonial Virginia during the Revolutionary War. She is independent, resourceful, honest and brave. She is also a full-blooded Algonquian Indian. The first chapter describes the sadness and joy of her transition from the Algonquian tribe to her colonial parents. Her settler father's contribution to the War is gun-making. This ten-year-old helps him in his shop, in addition to helping her mother run the household. She accompanies her father to Mount Vernon, where they meet with George Washington for orders of more muskets. But General Washington has other things on his mind. He is moving his entire army to Yorktown to reinforce the small force of Virginia Continental Army soldiers laying siege to General Cornwallis at Yorktown. This small force is outnumbered, desperate, and discouraged. Washington needs to send them word that help is on the way. Betsy's adventures start there, and will test her in every way.