"Katherine Storm Hindley explores words at their most powerful: words that people expected would physically change the world. Medieval Europeans often resorted to the use of spoken or written charms to ensure health or fend off danger. Here Hindley draws on an unprecedented archive, based on her own extensive research, and the result is an original sampling of more than a thousand charms from medieval England, more than twice the number gathered, transcribed, and edited in previous studies, including many texts still unknown to specialists on this topic. Focusing on charms from the so-called fallow period (1100-1350) of English history, and on previously unremarked texts in Latin, Anglo-Norman, French, and English, Hindley addresses important questions about how people thought about language, belief, and power, while also injecting a bit of fun into the mix. She describes 700 years of the dynamic, shifting cultural landscape, where multiple languages, invented alphabets, and modes of transmission gained and lost their protective and healing power. Where previous scholarship has bemoaned a lack of continuity in the English charm tradition, Hindley finds surprising links between languages and eras, all without losing sight of the extraordinary variety of the medieval charm tradition: a continuous, deeply rooted part of the English Middle Ages. Textual Magic will be important reading for historians and manuscript studies scholars, and for students from various disciplines in medieval English culture wanting to learn about the many weird and wonderful types and uses of charms during this period. And Hindley's new findings will appeal to a wide number of specialists, including those in literary and religious studies, the medical humanities, and the history of magic. The book should also find a wider general audience, always eager to read about magic and charms"--

The Strength of Faith - Christian Omnibus presents an unprecedented collection that spans centuries, showcasing the rich tapestry of Christian thought and its profound impact on literature. This anthology boasts a remarkable range of literary styles, from the philosophical treatises of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine to the existential musings of Friedrich Nietzsche and the poetic narratives of Dante Alighieri. Each piece, be it a seminal work or a lesser-known gem, contributes to a broad exploration of the themes of faith, morality, and the human condition, standing as a testament to the diversity and depth of Christian literary tradition. The contributing authors and editors, ranging from theologians like Pope Gregory I and mystics like St. Teresa of Ávila to philosophers such as David Hume and literary giants like Leo Tolstoy, bring an astonishing breadth of perspectives to the anthology. Their works, rooted in various historical, cultural, and literary movements, collectively navigate the complexities of faith through the ages. This compendium not only captures the essence of Christian doctrine but also offers a panorama of human thought and cultural heritage, illustrating how faith has inspired some of the greatest minds in history. This anthology is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the interplay between religion, literature, and philosophy. The Strength of Faith - Christian Omnibus invites readers to embark on a comprehensive journey through the annals of Christian writing, offering a unique opportunity to engage with the thoughts and reflections of some of history's most influential figures. It is a must-read for scholars, students, and anyone seeking to delve deeper into the enduring questions of faith, ethics, and human purpose. Through its pages, readers will find inspiration, challenge, and a rich dialogue between diverse interpretations of Christian belief and experience.

This meticulously edited religious collection is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents: Scripture: Bible First Clement Second Clement Didache Epistle of Barnabas Shepherd of Hermas The Infancy Gospel of Thomas Apocalypse of Peter History: History of the Christian Church (Philip Schaff) Creeds of Christendom (Philip Schaff) Philosophy of Religion: The Confessions of St. Augustine (St. Augustine) On the Incarnation (Athanasius of Alexandria) On the Soul and the Resurrection (Gregory of Nyssa) On the Holy Spirit (Basil the Great) Pastoral Care (Pope Gregory I) An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith (John of Damascus) Summa Theologica (Saint Thomas Aquinas) The Imitation of Christ (Thomas à Kempis) A Treatise on Christian Liberty (Martin Luther) The Interior Castle (St. Teresa of Ávila) The Practice of the Presence of God (Brother Lawrence) The Age of Reason (Thomas Paine) The Natural History of Religion (David Hume) Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion (David Hume) The Religious Affections (Jonathan Edwards) The Essence of Christianity (Ludwig Feuerbach) Beyond Good and Evil (Nietzsche) All of Grace (Charles Spurgeon) Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness (Andrew Murray) Orthodoxy (Chesterton) The Everlasting Man (Chesterton) The Sovereignty of God (Arthur Pink) The Kingdom of God Is Within You (Tolstoy) Religious Fiction: Divine Comedy (Dante) Paradise Lost (John Milton) The Pilgrim's Progress (John Bunyan) Zadig (Voltaire) Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (Lew Wallace) Quo Vadis (Henryk Sienkiewicz) In His Steps (Charles M. Sheldon) The Story of the Other Wise Man (Henry Van Dyke) The Ball and the Cross (Chesterton) The Enchanted Barn (Grace Livingston Hill) The Grand Inquisitor (Dostoevsky Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship (Goethe) Thus Spoke Zarathustra (Nietzsche) Spirituality: The Conduct of Life (Ralph Waldo Emerson) Lessons in Truth (H. Emilie Cady) As a Man Thinketh (James Allen) Thoughts are Things (Prentice Mulford) The Game of Life and How to Play It (Florence Scovel Shinn)