It is late-Reconstruction South where poverty and the exhausted earth strip even the strongest and most willful of their means to overcome the humiliations of the Civil War. Thousands of landless poor, many descended from Scots immigrants, crisscross the roads with their few chickens, bedding and an old stove in search of better wages from the landlords who exploit them and saddle them with debt. A whole people are on the move. From this unpromising soil rises one of Little Bethel's most ambitious sons. Born in the piney woods of North Carolina from a family of feckless sharecroppers, Alvin Barnes strives toward a "far-off and happier future." Through hard work, gritty determination, and a passion for knowledge, he acquires a farm and a family and raises cotton and tobacco using scientific methods. But paying off the mortgage depends on his crop yield. And then "the goad of evil, bitter days came down upon him," and Alvin cries out, "They ain't no God for the poor man, nothing but law and power over him." This Body the Earth, chronicled by Pulitzer prize-winning Paul Green, is one of the great tragic stories of the old South.

STUDY QUESTIONS

What is the relationship between the novel and Paul Green's dramas? In what ways are the author's experience and expertise as a dramatist revealed in This Body the Earth?

What characteristics of place, character, and language set the novel in the agrarian South? What folk motifs and rituals of farming run through the book?

What universal themes dealing with the human condition are found in Green's novel? Comment upon it as the story of an "everyman." What are the defining events of Alvin Barnes' life?

What beliefs and practices of that period exist today? How have they changed in the 21st century?

What are the main beliefs of Blake Dewar's social philosophy? What is their relevance to today's thinking? How did they impact Alvin Barnes and other characters in the novel?

Consider other American novels, like John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, that depict the plight of the migrant worker in post-World War II America. Who are today's migrant workers and what are the determining factors that govern their lives?

What were the harsh realities of the sharecropper's life at the time of the novel? And, explain the difference between a tenant and a sharecropper. How does the sharecropper in Green's novel differ from other kinds of modern-day laborers?

In what ways does the author reveal his devotion to the individual and his belief in the rights of people to the fulfillment of their potential?

Discuss such issues as class, race, and gender in This Body the Earth. What place does religion have in the novel?

What is the role of women in Green's agrarian landscape? What are the characteristics of Ivy Chadbourne that make her a saintly person? Is she a believable, sympathetic character?

Did you like the book? Why?

On a cold mid-November night in southern Florida, two horses are born at the same time, but they have different destinies. One horse is jet black, strong, and virile; named Black Prince, he grows to be the pride of Farm Jadeville. The other horse born that night is weak, scraggly, and odd-looking. The breeder orders that the foal be thrown into the creek behind the barn, where the alligators can have a feast. Mannie, the son of a worker on the farm, and Jade Aliva, the granddaughter of the farm’s owner, rescue the odd, puny horse. They and their friends care for it, train it, and name it Babe Loop. The horse thrives under the children’s care, and one day it surprises everyone by breaking into a run when the United States national anthem is played. Keeping this unusual talent a secret, the children and trainer John C. Goodeeds prepare Babe Loop to enter the prestigious National Classic of the Roses, a race which carries a purse of $75,000. Does Babe Loop, the misfit horse, have the tenacity and talent to overcome the popular Black Prince?

On a cold mid-November night in southern Florida, two horses are born at the same time, but they have different destinies. One horse is jet black, strong, and virile; named Black Prince, he grows to be the pride of Farm Jadeville. The other horse born that night is weak, scraggly, and odd-looking. The breeder orders that the foal be thrown into the creek behind the barn, where the alligators can have a feast. Mannie, the son of a worker on the farm, and Jade Aliva, the granddaughter of the farm’s owner, rescue the odd, puny horse. They and their friends care for it, train it, and name it Babe Loop. The horse thrives under the children’s care, and one day it surprises everyone by breaking into a run when the United States national anthem is played. Keeping this unusual talent a secret, the children and trainer John C. Goodeeds prepare Babe Loop to enter the prestigious National Classic of the Roses, a race which carries a purse of $75,000. Does Babe Loop, the misfit horse, have the tenacity and talent to overcome the popular Black Prince?

On a cold mid-November night in southern Florida, two horses are born at the same time, but they have different destinies. One horse is jet black, strong, and virile; named Black Prince, he grows to be the pride of Farm Jadeville. The other horse born that night is weak, scraggly, and odd-looking. The breeder orders that the foal be thrown into the creek behind the barn, where the alligators can have a feast. Mannie, the son of a worker on the farm, and Jade Aliva, the granddaughter of the farm’s owner, rescue the odd, puny horse. They and their friends care for it, train it, and name it Babe Loop. The horse thrives under the children’s care, and one day it surprises everyone by breaking into a run when the United States national anthem is played. Keeping this unusual talent a secret, the children and trainer John C. Goodeeds prepare Babe Loop to enter the prestigious National Classic of the Roses, a race which carries a purse of $75,000. Does Babe Loop, the misfit horse, have the tenacity and talent to overcome the popular Black Prince?

A pupil of a primary school in a backwater African village tells the story of his enigmatic and inspiring headmaster with verve and haunting realism. From the headmaster’s refined manners and cultivated appearance to his father-figure image that inspires discipline in his pupils, Bamai the protagonist of this moving story full of homespun wisdom, living anecdotes and pastoral allegories provokes a nostalgia and reminiscence of a lost past and innocence we all strive to regain – a lost past and innocence this epic tale gives an opportunity to live again.

Clint McBride wanted to have it all--a beautiful wife, a great career, success, wealth--all before age 30, but it was not to be. Everything came crashing down on him, including his beautiful home that he burned to the ground. Doors opened for Clint everywhere he went, as his best friend's father took the young architect into his construction business. Deal followed deal, success followed success, and soon Clint and his wife, Dusty, seemed to have it all. But it was too much too soon for the young couple--especially for Clint, whose greed for more wealth, more power, and more success dominated his life. Clint and Dusty had it all and then lost it. Terrible things happened to the two of them as Clint's dreams became obsessions and overpowered their lives in Woodside, California. When greed and betrayal took over, Clint left for Europe. In a drunken stupor on the airplane to Madrid, he met Father Bernardo, who eventually brought renewed direction and meaning to Clint's life and helped turn failure into new success. What lay ahead meant new places, new people, a new life, and new dreams to chase--dreams that Clint never could have imagined before.

Ultra-nexus, a mythological science-fiction book, bridges the gap between the NeoKhmer series and the Ultra-imperative series.

Joshua had no intentions of becoming a super hero when he first invented Bernie his flying sports car but when there is a serious need that only he can ease, he is quick to volunteer his services and his creation. Joshua’s style and vulnerability quickly becomes evident when he finds that his activities must remain completely shrouded in secrecy while he mingles within the society that he ventures to protect. JOSHUS’S ATLAS offers creative unauthenticated thinking that encourages inquisitive minds to think for themselves at the same time it provides a fathomable story that is guaranteed to remain with you throughout the ages. It also illustrates the charisma, maturity and dignity that is brought about in our youth today. An attractive must read addition to any high school library. Although analogous in many ways to the mildly hokey Superman legend, it offers many degrees of realism that is not present in that memorable saga. Get ready to feel the turbulence of flight and the rumble of the tires upon the rolling landings as Joshua explores Bernie’s veiled limitations. Only a true sports car aficionado can know the feeling that goes along with the testing of these limits.

Joshua had no intentions of becoming a super hero when he first invented Bernie his flying sports car but when there is a serious need that only he can ease, he is quick to volunteer his services and his creation. Joshua’s style and vulnerability quickly becomes evident when he finds that his activities must remain completely shrouded in secrecy while he mingles within the society that he ventures to protect. JOSHUS’S ATLAS offers creative unauthenticated thinking that encourages inquisitive minds to think for themselves at the same time it provides a fathomable story that is guaranteed to remain with you throughout the ages. It also illustrates the charisma, maturity and dignity that is brought about in our youth today. An attractive must read addition to any high school library. Although analogous in many ways to the mildly hokey Superman legend, it offers many degrees of realism that is not present in that memorable saga. Get ready to feel the turbulence of flight and the rumble of the tires upon the rolling landings as Joshua explores Bernie’s veiled limitations. Only a true sports car aficionado can know the feeling that goes along with the testing of these limits.

The Vili from the east had again swooped down on the Sutar village in the Northlands, had taken provisions, burned homes scattered the great sacred fire in the long house, and even killed some of those that did not run fast enough and hide. The special Vasir bowl was also taken away as well as defiling the royal fire by seawater and bodily fluids. Agni the fire master and Loki his betrothed set out on a quest to retrieve the Vasir bowl and locate the Vili tribe’s treasure trove of stolen Sutar wealth.

Agni and Loki with the intelligent and faithful dog, TYR, finally after many turns and trials found what they were looking for and more. With the doubtful help of a gnome named Garr, the Sutar seekers have success within their grasp.

Will they fulfill their destiny? Will they find happiness and marry?

Will they become leaders of their clan?

Northland tells a tale of love, trust and respect of a couple from a great people.

Since the British takeover of Ireland in the seventeenth century, relations have been strained between the Irish nobility—generally identified as Catholic—and the newly arrived English Protestants. Benjamin McLain knew of this conflict first hand. He was born the son of an Irish woman from the high-ranking house of O’Connor and a Protestant father who served as an admiral in the British Navy. Benjamin sought to leave history behind him; in 1797, he landed in Charleston, South Carolina. He left his home country of Northern Ireland as an enlisted sailor in the Royal Navy, but upon his arrival in America, he came to realize that the same deep-rooted resentments existed, even far from Ireland. The Irish disliked the Protestants and vice versa, even in this new, foreign land. As Benjamin struggles to break through the barriers of his birth, he finds himself torn between the love of his mother, the love of his intended fiancé, and the love of a strange woman who ignites his desire. Benjamin must decide where his loyalty truly lies—with his Irish O’Connor blood or English McLain heritage. Which woman will be his rock—his mother, his Anna, or the mysterious Elina? A stranger in a strange land, Benjamin McLain must determine his own destiny through whatever means he can.

Liz has a quiet determination to overcome the obstacles that have beset her with the collapse of her husband's property business when the economic climate drastically struck. She has many new hurdles to surmount before she finds happiness, but through it all is still the lovely warm hearted girl.

Liz has a quiet determination to overcome the obstacles that have beset her with the collapse of her husband's property business when the economic climate drastically struck. She has many new hurdles to surmount before she finds happiness, but through it all is still the lovely warm hearted girl.

For Detective Inspector Ernest Heath, the picturesque village of Gelsby had seemed to be the ideal place for Rita Goodwin, his childhood sweetheart, to recover from a mental breakdown. Heath’s dreams of a peaceful retirement are shattered, however, when a young woman is found strangled in the nearby ancient churchyard of St. Anne’s. Now he’s not so sure about his retirement spot, especially when two more victims are found. Ernest finds himself torn between sheltering Rita and calling his investigative skills out of retirement. Urged on by Detective Lisa Pharies, a former police colleague, they slowly uncover the secrets of the village where the large thirteenth-century church seems to dominate not only the landscape but the villagers themselves. When young curate Robin Ashton arrives to assist the rector, he is caught up in the mystery as well—a mystery in which all of the clues seem to lead back to the church and the faded Latin text written on the vestry wall seven hundred years ago, its message still reaching out to the unfaithful.

For Detective Inspector Ernest Heath, the picturesque village of Gelsby had seemed to be the ideal place for Rita Goodwin, his childhood sweetheart, to recover from a mental breakdown. Heath’s dreams of a peaceful retirement are shattered, however, when a young woman is found strangled in the nearby ancient churchyard of St. Anne’s. Now he’s not so sure about his retirement spot, especially when two more victims are found. Ernest finds himself torn between sheltering Rita and calling his investigative skills out of retirement. Urged on by Detective Lisa Pharies, a former police colleague, they slowly uncover the secrets of the village where the large thirteenth-century church seems to dominate not only the landscape but the villagers themselves. When young curate Robin Ashton arrives to assist the rector, he is caught up in the mystery as well—a mystery in which all of the clues seem to lead back to the church and the faded Latin text written on the vestry wall seven hundred years ago, its message still reaching out to the unfaithful.