"Samuel Ward McAllister (December 1827?January 31, 1895) was the self-appointed arbiter of New York society from the 1860s to the early 1890s."--Wikipedia.

Ward McAllister was a gentlemen living in the mid-to-late 19th century; this is his commentary of the high society of the time, the parties and social gatherings of the elite in the USA and Europe. Well-travelled and educated in the arts of speech and charming others, the author recounts his memories of fine occasions attended by the monied and well-connected. He describes the social habits, fashion trends, and ostentatious buying habits of the upper classes of society. In the 19th century, the upper strata of society had undergone a transformative change owing to the new prosperity and technology of the time - as McAllister testifies, it was a time of newfound, unprecedented extravagance. New innovations in fine cuisine, more choice in fashionable tailored dress for men and women, and the enjoyment of sports and other pastimes are described in detail. The author appends menus especially designed for occasions as evidence of the superb dining enjoyed by guests. To accompany his narrative of each function, McAllister describes the more exquisite aspects of the countries he'd attended such sumptuous gatherings. The majesty and natural beauty of France, Germany, Britain, Portugal and the north and south of the USA are all related.

How to strengthen our spiritual bodies to experience a direct connection to the ultimate oneness and thereby illuminate the world.

A spellbinding, rich history of the American Enlightenment-think 1776 meets The Metaphysical Club.

First in the mystery series from the New York Times-bestselling author: “Anyone who loves novels that revolve around books will savor this tasty treat.”—Library Journal (starred review) A quirky club in small-town North Carolina holds the keys to health, happiness, friendship—and even solving a murder—all to be found within the pages of the right book… Strangers flock to Miracle Springs hoping the natural hot springs, five-star cuisine, and renowned spa can cure their ills. If none of that works, they often find their way to Miracle Books, where, over a fresh-baked “comfort” scone, they exchange their stories with owner Nora Pennington in return for a carefully chosen book. That’s Nora’s special talent—prescribing the perfect novel to ease a person’s deepest pain. So when a visiting businessman reaches out for guidance, Nora knows exactly how to help. But before he can keep their appointment, he’s found dead on the train tracks. Stunned, Nora forms the Secret, Book, and Scone Society, a group of damaged souls yearning to earn redemption by helping others. To join, members must divulge their darkest secret—the terrible truth that brought each of them to Miracle Springs in the first place. Now, determined to uncover the truth behind the businessman’s demise, the women meet in Nora’s cozy bookstore. And as they untangle a web of corruption, they also discover their own courage, purpose, and a sisterhood that will carry them through every challenge—proving it’s never too late to turn the page and start over… “Adams kicks off a new series featuring strong women, a touch of romance and mysticism, and both the cunning present-day mystery and the slowly revealed secrets of the intriguing heroines’ pasts.”—Kirkus Reviews

"Samuel Ward McAllister (December 1827?January 31, 1895) was the self-appointed arbiter of New York society from the 1860s to the early 1890s."--Wikipedia.

The influence of intellectuals is not only greater than in previous eras but also takes a very different form from that envisioned by those like Machiavelli and others who have wanted to directly influence rulers. It has not been by shaping the opinions or directing the actions of the holders of power that modern intellectuals have most influenced the course of events, but by shaping public opinion in ways that affect the actions of power holders in democratic societies, whether or not those power holders accept the general vision or the particular policies favored by intellectuals. Even government leaders with disdain or contempt for intellectuals have had to bend to the climate of opinion shaped by those intellectuals. Intellectuals and Society not only examines the track record of intellectuals in the things they have advocated but also analyzes the incentives and constraints under which their views and visions have emerged. One of the most surprising aspects of this study is how often intellectuals have been proved not only wrong, but grossly and disastrously wrong in their prescriptions for the ills of society -- and how little their views have changed in response to empirical evidence of the disasters entailed by those views.