This book is a full-color catalogue raisonne interprets the distinctive furniture made by John Shearer; one of the most accomplished and intriguing furniture makers during the post-Revolutionary period. Shearer emigrated from Scotland in the late 18th century and retained loyalist sympathies throughout his life; evidenced by the imagery and inscriptions sympathetic to various British causes_such as the suppression of the Irish rebellion in 1798 and the British victory in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805_that he worked into his furniture. Davison provides insight into the furnitures appeal to Anglo-American patrons; not secret loyalists; but men still culturally tied to Great Britain. Shearers pieces are scattered among various collections; and many of them have been identified only in the last 25 years. This catalog is the only work in which all of Shearers known pieces of furniture are presented in a single volume.
#1756363 in eBooks 2012-12-16 2012-12-16File Name: B00AWETJGU
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. "Body Piercing Saved My Life"By Peter Butler Jr.Much of contemporary Christian music is terrible. That is especially true for what is called "worship music."Andrew Beuajons book; Body Piercing Saved My Life: inside the phenomenon of Christian rock; however; is an excellent introduction to contemporary Christian music.The author; who is admittedly not a Christian; who even talks of having difficulty believing in God; explores the history; major figures; and quality of contemporary Christian music. He alternates between chapters on the history of the development of contemporary Christian music and interviews with major figures; both artists and promoters. In so doing; he presents an honest and interesting overview.As the author interviews artists and attends concerts and festivals; he begins to understand the reason for contemporary Christian music - the reason which Martin Luther noted hundreds of years earlier: "How is it that in matters concerning the flesh we have so many fine poems and hymns but that in those concerning the spirit we have such sluggish; cold affairs? Why should the Devil have all the good music?" (vi) The best intention of contemporary Christian music is to present sound theology in quality contemporary music.Unfortunately; more often than not; this does not happen. The music is often juvenile; and even when the music is of quality; the lyrics are largely bad theology and self-centered. Much of contemporary Christian music - and especially "worship music"- is rendered something like this: "I just wanna be here; I just wanna be clear; I just wanna love me; just the way you do."Thankfully; there are some musicians who produce quality music with good lyrics - even some who produce sound theology and their lyrics. Many of the artists who do produce quality music have given up on trying to fit into the contemporary Christian music category because they are unwilling to force themselves to use "approved language"- that is; use the name; "Jesus;" a certain number of times in a song.Beaujons book is an encouragement to those who think there is no good Christian music - that the devil does have all the good music - that there really are some quality artists producing quality music and they should be sought out and encouraged.Sadly; in the afterword to the book the author writes; "when I started this book; she was concerned that I was going to become a Christian. That didnt happen. But I have become a fan; not just of the music; but if Christians; and of Jesus himself. To me; the message of the gospel is love one another; look out for the less fortunate; and try to walk gently on the air. And I love that" (271).This is where the author fails: that is not surprising because he is admittedly not a Christian. However; it wouldve been wonderful that through meeting all of these Christians and hearing their songs; that he wouldve at least gotten the Gospel right; even if he didnt believe it. I hope you did hear the Gospel; and I hope someday he does understand; and believe it; but for anyone reading this book; one needs to understand that the Gospel is not "love each other and be nice."Paul explains the gospel. This way: "that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve" (I Corinthians 15:3b-5).So; so pick up this book as an introduction to contemporary Christian music; as an introduction to thinking about what it means to sing theology; and as an encouragement to pray for those in contemporary Christian music and for those looking in from the outside wondering whats going on.19 of 19 people found the following review helpful. Inside the Religious MachineBy Eric WilsonAs a Christian who has refused to disengage my brain in order to embrace religion; I am encouraged that an agnostic writer would be willing to tackle the wooly subject of Christian rock and roll. Is such music the real deal? Is it all about money? Is it even necessary?Beaujon approaches his subject with honesty; insight; and not even a smidgen of mean-spiritedness. He admits that the secular media has some biases toward this sector of music; but he himself explores the fringes and the heart of the matter with eyes open and intellect intact. "Body Piercing Saved My Life" is an admirable job of reporting; on any level. Not only does the author take us through the history of modern Christian music; he explores the trends and theologies that infiltrate it. He pulls no punches; showing the frustrations of those within the industry--regarding lifestyles; business practices; and censorship--but he also demonstrates the rare willingness of an outsider to enjoy and even be moved by the music. Admittedly; these moments of enjoyment come infrequently for him (for understandable reasons).I was one of those church kids; back in the eighties; who loved rock music and wanted to be "with it." With parents who were pastors; this meant I had to rummage through the garbage pile of Christian music and hope to find gold flakes (no double meaning intended) in the stream of heavenly wannnabes. Of course; as the years passed; I realized that life could not be compartmentalized into simple boxes--despite the attempts of many preachers to do so. Although Ive still managed to hold onto a belief in a relationship with Jesus; Ive been discouraged by the industrys attempts to cover up scandals and to placate the masses with mediocre "worship" music. To hear Beaujon address these subjects is to be reminded that Christian rock and Christianity itself should be more than a phenomenon--they should be reflections of the love of Christ for those inside and out of the religious machine.Andrew; thank you for "risking" a year in the trenches of American Churchianity. I wouldve loved more focus on fringe bands (such as Underoath; As I Lay Dying; As Cities Burn; Project 86); but you did a remarkably comprehensive job. Your candid; yet mostly kind; words should be a challenge for thought and action on the part of all those involved.13 of 13 people found the following review helpful. Intriguing Look At Christian CultureBy N. LambIll have to admit; as a disaffected fan of CCM I was more than eager to read this book. I have long been disenchanted with the music scene that Andrew Beaujon explores. In fact; I doubt that I would have been able to write such a book without a breakdown to subjectivity. Perhaps that is why Beaujon is able to write so fairly and honestly. Rather than having an axe to grind; the author writes mainly to answer his own questions. And the results make for an interesting commentary on a unique aspect of American culture.This book is not meant to be a history of Christian rock; nor is it exhaustive in detail. That allows Beaujon to do what he does so well: focus on personalities. If you are already an insider to this scene many of these names will be familiar to you. Steve Taylor; Doug Van Pelt; and Brandon Ebel are among a few of the subjects that the author explores. Beaujon doesnt dwell on the "who did what" of the story. Instead; he digs beneath the surface in order to figure out why these people have created an alternative universe for their art. When Beaujon trudges from festival to festival it is hard not to be somewhat amused as he sadistically forces himself to listen to mediocre rock bands in order to wait for interviews that never come. Indeed; his own frustrations often come out in the book as industry insiders are protective of their closed community. Considering the circumstances; I think he has done well.Personally I didnt care for how Beaujon interrupted the flow of his narrative by mixing transcribed interviews in with his more conventional chapters. And I must register a small complaint that; having little interest in the current crop of musicians; I had found myself nodding off during interviews with mewithyou; Mute Math; and a slew of other forgettable bands. My age probably has something to do with that. Still; after hearing of the frustrations of getting interviews I understand that the opportunities for other interviews may have been limited. Finally; I will admit I was rather turned off by his chapter devoted to Rock For Life. I can understand how this particular organization might fit into the book as a minor subpoint; but I dont think it is worth highlighting this organization in a book about Christian rock music. Save your research for the next book!Overall; I enjoyed this book. As hard as it is for me to stand outside what I see as part of my own religious upbringing; I am glad to finally hear a true outsiders perspective. I suppose in all fairness I should admit my bias in reviewing this book. I spent some time talking with Andrew early on in his research and you will find my name in the acknowledgements. However; that is only worth about one star in my review of this engaging book. This is as fair a treatment of this subject matter as you will find anywhere. I can say personally that this is truly a topic that was of great Mr. Beaujon and that he writes with an open mind. I think this book will appeal to anyone who wants to understand our cultures preoccupation with the Christian religion.