When spectators in the Middle Ages examined images of Christs crucifixion on Mount Calvary; did they ever consider them as representations of capital punishment? In The Thief; the Cross and the Wheel Mitchell Merback contends that they did; and traces out the extraordinary connections between religious devotion; bodily pain; criminal justice and judicial spectatorship to explain why this was so.The authors focus is not on the crucified Christ as he was represented in altarpieces during the late medieval and Renaissance eras; but on his criminal counterparts; the Two Thieves of the Gospels. Artists in Germany and elsewhere were constrained by Church doctrine as to how they could represent Christs Passion; but were free to explore the most abject of cruelties when they turned to the Thieves. The frequently shocking images of torture and death they depicted ndash; notably the horrific process of breaking on the wheel ndash; were the preferred means of executing contemporary malefactors.In this politically informed and historically provocative book; Merback insists that pain as spectacle was central to the European experience; and warns of its contemporary re-emergence in the public sphere.
#1149553 in eBooks 2004-03-09 2013-03-22File Name: B00C2NSTIS
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Really good guitar book for learning USABLE chords quicklyBy Michael F. Mageethis is really a good book for learning basic guitar chords and their upper structures quickly. Lots of exercises. Do them all and youll definitely improve!!3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. An Exercise Book for Self-TeachingBy TinfootFrankly; I am not entirely too sure what other reviews mean as not for beginners or concerning its text. I am certainly a novice and do not have a teacher; and I wanted something that presented formal exercises for practicing chord rhythms. *It does exactly that.* It presents chords with fingering; followed by exercises to practice; interspersed with rhythmic pattern lessons. Sure; a CD would be nice to hear the subtle differences in the rhythms themselves; but since metronome use is essential to the exercises; not having a CD doesnt bother me in the least.If you are looking for something that teaches you songs and how to play rhythm through that; then this books is certainly not for you. If you are looking for a large book of formal exercises to increase your technical ability; then this is a worthy purchase.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Rhythm Book Without a CD Equals ConfusionBy StvtstThe book does not come with a CD. It is completely my fault for not recognizing this. However; with all the great example exercises - almost 500 of them; and all the non basic chords used; how can someone who is trying to learn know what they are supposed to sound like? This fact makes this book a rather incomplete guide. I have other guitar books; including three more from the Musician Institute; and I would rate each of the other three highly; but not this one.