This book is about representations of the devil in English and European literature. Tracing the fascination in literature, philosophy, and theology with the irreducible presence of what may be called evil, or comedy, or the carnivalesque, this book surveys the parts played by the devil in the texts derived from the Faustus legend, looks at Marlowe and Shakespeare, Rabelais, Milton, Blake, Hoffmann, Baudelaire, Goethe, Dostoevsky, Bulgakov, and Mann, historically, speculatively, and from the standpoint of critical theory. It asks: Is there a single meaning to be assigned to the idea of the diabolical? What value lies in thinking diabolically? Is it still the definition of a good poet to be of the devil's party, as Blake argued?

From an author who “writes the kind of stuff of which nightmares are made,” three thrillers featuring Mounties battling a madman intent on world domination (The Globe and Mail, Toronto). Robert DeClercq has faced a lot of lunatics as the head of the Special X team of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. But never one as sinister as Mephisto, a megalomaniac hell-bent on global destruction. But first Mephisto is fixed on taking out DeClercq—by any means possible. Featuring the complete novels Burnt Bones, Death’s Door, and Red Snow, the Mephisto trilogy showcases the Special X team as they confront an evil greater than they have ever known. “The psycho to end all psychos. Mephisto makes Hannibal Lecter seem like an Oxford don with slightly unorthodox culinary tastes.” —The Vancouver Sun Praise for the Special X series “Michael Slade’s books are blood-chilling, spine-tingling, gut-wrenching, stomach-churning, and a much closer look at the inside of a maniac’s brain than most people would find comfortable, but always riveting.” —Diana Gabaldon, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of the Outlander series “Highly enjoyable.” —Time Out, London “Slade knows psychos inside out.” —Toronto Star “A get-under-your-skin thriller with machine-gun dialogue and impressive real-world research. It’s one heck of a ride.” —CNN.com “As always with Slade, a cracking good detective story.” —Anne Perry, New York Times–bestselling author of the Thomas Pitt series “Murder with gore galore.” —The Globe and Mail (Toronto) “Michael Slade is a writer who clearly knows how to tell a story and make it real.” —Robert McCammon, New York Times–bestselling author of Swan Song and the Matthew Corbett series

Katy and Carl board an old sailing ship in hopes of a better life; they have dreams of profiting from the 1800s Gold Rush in the United States. Once aboard the ship christened History, they have a grand adventure shared with Lars, First Mate Sanford, supercargo Jim Bone and the stern Captain Keely. With Katy's take-charge attitude, she and Carl help all the sailors on the ship learn better cooperation and ultimately achieve their goal of reaching the gold mines. Along the way they must deal with arguments (and even gunfights) among the crew, pirates, slave traders, frightening weather conditions, and, possibly, spirits from ship voyages of the past. Throughout the journey, which truly is the focus of this story, the crew and passengers learns valuable history related to the Gold Rush told to them by a most interesting fellow traveler. You will find that during the voyage, Katy and Carl, along with other members of the crew, learn valuable life lessons and end up wiser and more mature than when they began. History-Sailing toward Gold is the first in a series about the California Gold Rush.