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Mercer University Press

Titles appearing in Reference — Research Book News — August 2011
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Breaking the heartland; the Civil War in Georgia.

Ed. by John D. Fowler and David B. Parker.
Mercer University Press, ©2011    246 p.    $29.00    F290
978-0-88146-240-1

The importance of the role the state of Georgia played during the Civil War has been lacking in the many histories written about the most devastating calamity of the nation. This collection of essays serves to enlighten readers to Georgia's pivotal role, which produced noted generals and civilian leaders vital to the Confederate cause, and delves into Georgia's political division within its own boundaries. Georgia was the heartland of the South agriculturally and industrially. It also featured prominently because of its river and rail ways that linked it to the other half of the Confederacy. This book gives a deeper account of events and issues and the outcome of the Civil War's effect on Georgia's citizens, culture and economy. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Misfits and marble fauns; religion and romance in Hawthorne and O'Connor.

Piper, Wendy.
Mercer University Press, ©2011    193 p.    $35.00    PS1892
978-0-88146-217-3

In this analysis of the writing of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Flannery O'Connor, Piper (American literature, Dartmouth College) uses German philosopher Hans-Georg Gadamer's notions on the nature of art to assert the primacy of aesthetic experience over the claims of modern scientific rationalism that Hawthorne and O'Connor both demonstrate as destructive in their fiction. Piper argues that mystery is the central experience in the work of these two writers, and claims that self-knowledge is shown as superior to the subjectivism of modernity in their fiction. In her analysis, Piper traces key concepts in the American romance tradition. The first part of the book is devoted to the conflict between head and heart, reality and imagination, in the work of Hawthorne. The second part of the book continues the critique of scientific rationalism through an analysis of O'Connor's religious and artistic themes, drawing on O'Connor's letters and essays as well as her fiction. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Paradise lost; the biblically annotated edition.

Milton, John. Ed. by Matthew Stallard.
Mercer University Press, ©2011    506 p.    $60.00    PR3560
978-0-88146-236-4

This is a special publication of John Milton's classic epic poem Paradise Lost presented with complete biblical annotation by Stallard (English, Ohio U., Athens, Ohio). Due to the heavy use of biblical reference in Paradise Lost, it is necessary for those engaged in in-depth study of this classic to possess adequate biblical knowledge. This annotated edition provides those lacking the required biblical education a more comprehensive understanding of the literature and its references. This accessible edition is suited for both the general reader as well as those studying Milton. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)