Is there a meaning in the Bible, or is meaning rather a matter of who is reading or of how one reads? Does Christian doctrine have anything to contribute to debates about interpretation, literary theory, and post modernity? These are questions of crucial importance for contemporary biblical studies and theology alike. Kevin Vanhoozer contends that the postmodern crisis in hermeneutics—”incredulity towards meaning,” a deep–set skepticism concerning the possibility of correct interpretation—is fundamentally a crisis in theology provoked by an inadequate view of God and by the announcement of God’s “death.” Part 1 examines the ways in which deconstruction and radical reader–response criticism “undo” the traditional concepts of author, text, and reading. Dr. Vanhoozer engages critically with the work of Derrida, Rorty, and Fish, among others, and demonstrates the detrimental influence of the postmodern “suspicion of hermeneutics” on biblical studies. In Part 2, Dr. Vanhoozer defends the concept of the author and the possibility of literary knowledge by drawing on the resources of Christian doctrine and by viewing meaning in terms of communicative action. He argues that there is a meaning in the text, that it can be known with relative adequacy, and that readers have a responsibility to do so by cultivating “interpretive virtues.” Successive chapters build on Trinitarian theology and speech act philosophy in order to treat the metaphysics, methodology, and morals of interpretation. From a Christian perspective, meaning and interpretation are ultimately grounded in God’s own communicative action in creation, in the canon, and preeminently in Christ. Prominent features in Part 2 include a new account of the author’s intention and of the literal sense, the reclaiming of the distinction between meaning and significance in terms of Word and Spirit, and the image of the reader as a disciple–martyr, whose vocation is to witness to something other than oneself. Is There a Meaning in This Text? guides the student toward greater confidence in the authority, clarity, and relevance of Scripture, and a well–reasoned expectation to understand accurately the message of the Bible. Is There a Meaning in This Text? is a comprehensive and creative analysis of current debates over biblical hermeneutics that draws on interdisciplinary resources, all coordinated by Christian theology. It makes a significant contribution to biblical interpretation that will be of interest to readers in a number of fields. The intention of the book is to revitalize and enlarge the concept of author–oriented interpretation and to restore confidence that readers of the Bible can reach understanding. The result is a major challenge to the central assumptions of postmodern biblical scholarship and a constructive alternative proposal—an Augustinian hermeneutic—that reinvigorates the notion of biblical authority and finds a new exegetical practice that recognizes the importance of both the reader’s situation and the literal sense.

Critics will always disagree, but, maintains Wayne Booth, their disagreement need not result in critical chaos. In Critical Understanding, Booth argues for a reasoned pluralism—a criticism more various and resourceful than can be caught in any one critic's net. He relates three noted pluralists—Ronald Crane, Kenneth Burke, and M. H. Abrams—to various currently popular critical approaches. Throughout, Booth tests the abstractions of metacriticism against particular literary works, devoting a substantial portion of his discussion to works by W. H. Auden, Henry James, Oliver Goldsmith, and Anatole France.

"This book explores the generative power of vulnerabilities facing individuals who inhabit educational spaces. We argue that vulnerability can be an asset in developing understandings of others, and in interrogating the self. Explorations of vulnerability offer a path to building empathy and creating engaged generosity within a community of dissensus. This kind of self-examination is essential in a selfie society in which democratic participation often devolves into neoliberal silos of discourse and marginalization of others who look, think, and believe differently. By vulnerability we mean the experiences that have the potential to compromise our livelihood, beliefs, values, emotional and mental states, sense of self-worth, and positioning within the Habermasian system/lifeworld as teachers and learners. We can refer to this as microvulnerability—that is, those things humans encounter in daily life that make us aware of the illusion of control. The selfie becomes an analogy for the posturing of a particular self that reinforces how one hopes to be understood by others. What are the vulnerabilities teachers and learners face? And how can we joker, as Norris calls it, the various vulnerabilities that we inherently bring into teaching and learning spaces? In light of the divisive discourses around the politics of Ferguson, Charlie Hebdo, ISIS, Ebola, Surveillance, and Immigration; vulnerability offers an entry way into exhuming the humanity necessary for a participatory democracy that is often hijacked by a selfie mentality."

Blazing a pathway for recovering the unity of biblical studies and theological reflection, Kevin J. Vanhoozer addresses the challenges presented by the contemporary so-called postmodern situation, especially deconstructionism.

Rawlings’ book explores the work of revolutionary critics - Henry James, Lionel Trilling and Wayne C. Booth. Packed with student-friendly features, he discusses their ideas on moral intelligence, realism and representation, and authors and narration.

American Literary Criticism Since the 1930s fully updates Vincent B. Leitch’s classic book, American Literary Criticism from the 30s to the 80s following the development of the American academy right up to the present day. Updated throughout and with a brand new chapter, this second edition: provides a critical history of American literary theory and practice, discussing the impact of major schools and movements examines the social and cultural background to literary research, considering the role of key theories and practices provides profiles of major figures and influential texts, outlining the connections among theorists presents a new chapter on developments since the 1980s, including discussions of feminist, queer, postcolonial and ethnic criticism. Comprehensive and engaging, this book offers a crucial overview of the development of literary studies in American universities, and a springboard to further research for all those interested in the development and study of Literature.

Akiwali Journey, is my (Akiwali Walters) autobiography and is a record of my life’s reality. My journey has been made embracing the values I hold dear, as well as the lessons of wisdom gained from the people and experiences that have impacted greatly on my life. Values, such as a strong family ethos, embedded by my parents, in me and my siblings, as well as the connections of our family relationship have been central throughout my journey. This autobiography is laced with the memories of events from the tender age of two, going through my infant school years through to primary. It records some interested events during the school years right up to attending my all-age-school where my school life was ended prematurely through unfortunate events outside of my control. It records my early years venture into the world of entrepreneurship, my apprenticeship into the world of horse racing, my sporting endeavours, my career as a fine artist and business owner. These last two activities that being central to my life’s endeavours over the years. As a full fledge professional Fine Artist, I was afforded the opportunity to travel the globe and to get to share my skill alongside other Fine Artists from the famous Trafalgar Artist Group in Jamaica. This book relates many events from my realty. I have been involved in many event enterprises from the West to the African Continent. I am fortunate to be able to feature some amazing and solid Jamaican Fine Artists who have been such a bright light on my journey and who have given me abundant support along the way. Amazing human beings like my apprentice master, ‘Sir’ Robert Bryan. This book also shines the spotlight on my sporting exploits in the realm of basketball and swimming and my connection with Aqua Youths Sports Club. Of course, I cannot overstate the importance of my wife and children to my journey. They have been a source of strong support and encouragement, not to mention a tremendous motivation for me to do the things I do. This book allowed me to revisit some inspiring moments in my existence. I have been blessed to have met some interesting human beings over my journey. I celebrate the fact that I have been able to display my merchandise and art work at five Summer Olympics, one Winter Olympics game, one Football World Cup Final involving Jamaica’s ‘Reggae Boys’. Also, I have exhibited my works of art in many parts of the world, alongside the Trafalgar members. Above all, this book honours the importance of family values, self-determination, inspiration, self- belief and collaboration with one another. It is essential to work alongside each other for should you fall, others are there to pick you up. But when you rise, you rise together.