A reshaping of traditional understandings of Costa Rica and its national identity The Saints of Progress: A History of Coffee, Migration, and Costa Rican National Identity chronicles the development of the Tarrazú Valley, a historically remote—although internationally celebrated—coffee-growing region. Carmen Kordick’s work traces the development of this region from the early nineteenth century to the first decades of the twenty-first century to consider the nation-building process from the margins, while also questioning traditional scholarly works that have reproduced, rather than deconstructed, Costa Rica’s exceptionalist national mythology, which hail Costa Rica as Central America’s “white,” democratic, nonviolent, and egalitarian republic. In this compelling political, economic, and lived history, Kordick suggests that Costa Rica’s exceptionalist and egalitarian mythology emerged during the Cold War, as revolution, civil war, military dictatorship, and state violence plagued much of Central America. From the vantage point of Costa Rica’s premier coffee-producing region, she examines local, national, and transnational processes. This deeply textured narrative details the inauguration of coffee capitalism, which heightened existing class divisions; a successful armed revolt against the national government, which forged the current political regime; and the onset of massive out-migration to the United States. Kordick’s research incorporates more than one hundred oral histories and thousands of archival sources gathered in both Costa Rica and the United States to produce a human history of Costa Rica’s past. Her work on the recent past profiles the experiences of migrants in the United States, mostly in New Jersey, where many undocumented Costa Ricans find low-paid work in the restaurant and landscaping sectors. The result is a fine-grained examination of Tarrazú’s development from the 1820s to the present that reshapes traditional understandings of Costa Rica and its national past.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

Through a detailed account of the genesis, flowering, and decline of the Puritan ideal of a church of the elect in England and America, Morgan offers an important reinterpretation of a pivotal era in New England history. Historians have generally supposed that the main outlines of the Puritan church were determined in England and Holland and transplanted to the new world. Morgan convincingly suggests that the distinguishing characteristic of the New England churches, the ideal of a church composed exclusively of true and tested saints, developed fully only in the 1630's and 1640's, some time after the first settlers arrived in New England. He also examines the influence of the Separatist colony at Plymouth on the later settlers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and follows the difficulties created by a definition of the religious community so selective that the New England churches nearly expired for lack of saints to fill them--From publisher description.

"This work narrates the development of a historically remote--although internationally celebrated--coffee-growing region from the early 19th century through to the first decade of the 21st century. It considers the nation-building process from the margins to question traditional scholarly works that have reproduced, rather than deconstructed, Costa Rica's exceptionalist national mythologies that imagine this isthmian republic as Central America's 'white,' democratic, nonviolent, and egalitarian republic. The book recognizes that even though Costa Rica's exceptionalist rendition draws on some undeniable realities, it thoughtfully considers the origins, applicability, and longevity of the different elements of this exceptionalist master narrative. In particular, it suggests the mythology emerged during the Cold War, as revolution, civil war, military dictatorship, and state violence plagued much of Central America. In this same period, Costa Rica not only retained a relatively stable democratic system, but policymakers eliminated the standing army in 1948. This widely embraced and celebrated historical narrative, however, distorts as much as it illuminates the experience of contemporary and historical actors"--

In every era of the Catholic Church, holy men and women have shaped history through their gifts and talents and, most importantly, through their resolute commitment to Jesus Christ. Some led armies, some founded monasteries, some lived a radical call to charity - and each one had a unique part to play. How the Saints Shaped History focuses on the essential role of the saints, as vessels of God's grace, in moving the Church (and the world!) through her two-thousand-year history. Written especially for everyday Catholics hungry to learn more about the Faith, this book is both comprehensive and accessible. It tells the story of how more than 180 saints, from Saint Mary Magdalene to Pope Saint John Paul II, led the Church through many crises and back to her spiritual roots. As our Church continues to face crises, this book reminds us that we still have reason to hope in our own time. As the providential hand of God worked through the saints to shape history, each of us is called to become a new saint to shape the history of the Church today.

Joseph Smith's monumental work, 'History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,' is a comprehensive seven-volume series that delves into the origins and early history of the Mormon religion. Written in a straightforward and chronological style, the book provides a detailed account of the key events, revelations, and challenges faced by the early leaders of the Church. Smith's writing is marked by his deep religious faith and his desire to document the history of his faith community for future generations. The book not only serves as a primary source for Mormon history but also sheds light on the religious and social context of 19th-century America. Each volume is filled with primary sources, personal accounts, and doctrinal teachings, making it a valuable resource for scholars of American religious history. Joseph Smith, as the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, wrote this comprehensive history to provide a record of the divine guidance and challenges faced by the early leaders of the Church. Smith's personal experiences, religious vision, and dedication to his faith are evident in the meticulous detail and spiritual insights found throughout the series. Written with a sense of mission and purpose, 'History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' stands as a testament to Smith's belief in the importance of recording and preserving the history of his religious community. I highly recommend this seven-volume edition to readers interested in Mormon history, American religious movements, and the foundational texts of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (originally entitled History of Joseph Smith) is a semi-official history of the early Latter Day Saint movement during the lifetime of founder Joseph Smith. It is largely composed of Smith's writings and interpretations and editorial comments by Smith's secretaries, scribes, and after Smith's death, historians of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The history was written between 1839 and 1856. It was later published in its entirety with extensive annotations and edits by B. H. Roberts as History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The first six volumes of this work cover the "History of Joseph Smith" from his birth in 1805 to his death in 1844. Volume seven covers the material from immediately after Smith's death in June 1844 until the church's first general conference in Salt Lake City. Volume 1: 1805 – December 1833 Volume 2: January 1834 – December 1837 Volume 3: January 1838 – July 1839 Volume 4: July 1839 – May 1842 Volume 5: May 1842 – August 1843 Volume 6: September 1843 – June 1844 Volume 7: June 1844 – October 1848