Books published by Echo Point Books & Media

Oil Lamps 3: Victorian Kerosene Lighting is Catherine Thuro's final installment of her three-part series. Like its predecessors, this volume is rich with images and text. The focus of this title is on oil lamp trimmings, placement-specific designs, and the overall diversity of types and models. The contemporary reader will be astounded by the sheer variety of oil lamps available to the Victorian homeowner. The intricacies of these early luminaries, which are expertly described and beautifully photographed will intrigue anyone interested in learning more about kerosene lighting. From extravagant hanging lamps to utilitarian hall fixtures, this book covers it all. The ornate catalog illustrations and poignant advertisements from the Kerosene Era provide a deeper, richer context through which to view these once omnipresent home appliances. These primary source materials are extremely helpful for the collector seeking the likely date and manufacturer of their own lamps. Whether you're an early lighting enthusiast or simply curious to learn more, this book is an extraordinary window into the world of Victorian era lighting.

"In the best tradition of literary criticism… combines exact information with shrewd and searching penetration into the personal life of the artist." -The New York TimesWhere does artistic genius come from? Originally published in 1941, this classic work of literary critique by Edmund Wilson suggests an answer to that question with seven insightful essays, each one focusing on a different writer, each of which suffered some hardship or handicap that led to the creation of some of the most powerful works of literature. The first two studies, of Charles Dickens and Rudyard Kipling, cover each author's full body of work and reveal how in each case an unhappy childhood later resulted in mature artistic works later in their lives. Subsequent appraisals analyze the writings of Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Jacques Casanova, Edith Wharton, and Sophocles. Wilson's keen insights and analysis, weaving his thorough knowledge of history, biography, and psychology, led F. Scott Fitzgerald to call him "the literary conscience of my generation."The title The Wound and the Bow refers to the mythical story of Philoctetes, as recounted in the final essay. The legendary Greek archer was bitten by snake and then afflicted with an incurable, malodorous wound that would not heal. After first being banished, the injured hero was later sought out by his fellow warriors for his prowess with a magic bow, and his skill was ultimately key to the Greek victory at Troy.

Discover the magnificent history of dressage in this insightful work from Sylvia Loch, acclaimed riding teacher and expert on the subject of classical horsemanship. Dressage chronicles the origin and development of every facet of the sport, including everything from its beginnings in ancient Greece to the current state of practice and competition. Loch begins with a thorough examination of what dressage is, and how our understanding of it has changed over time. With clear and contemporary prose, she eloquently traces the threads that connect the evolution of this elegant tradition throughout the centuries. All of the important schools, masters, and famous horsemen are covered in lavish detail. Starting over 2,000 years ago with Xenophon's equestrian philosophy, Dressage progresses through the Renaissance and Enlightenment to Nuno Oliveira and the écuyères of the nineteenth-century French circus. Also of note is the spread of dressage from Europe to the rest of the world, which continues up to the present day, and has been more firmly established with the sport's inclusion in the modern Olympics. Illustrated with more than 100 paintings and photographs, Dressage is a thoroughly-researched and engaging history. Loch's work is the comprehensive and definitive reference source for dressage enthusiasts. It is a treasure trove of fascinating information for all riders, of all disciplines, and of all skill levels. Reading it will inspire you to improve your own riding, deepen your understanding of dressage, and increase your appreciation of this fine art of horsemanship.

In 1895, Daniel David Palmer performed the first chiropractic adjustment. D.D. Palmer spent 25 years compiling research to explain biological and physiological problems that had long been a mystery. In this historic guide, first published in 1910, Palmer uses the information he collected to lay the cornerstone for modern chiropractic science and philosophy.In addition to pointing out the causes of deformity, disease and death, this classic reference also aims to answer the enduring questions of the nature of life, and insights into the human condition. Though Palmer’s brilliant mind drove him through hardships and persecutions during his lifetime, this fascinating book gives a permanent home to his written legacy for the chiropractic profession. 

Defendu is William E. Fairbairn's seminal manual on his complete, close-quarters combat system of the same name. Pragmatically developed to address the harsh realities of violent real-life situations, Defendu (the name itself a fusion of "defense" and "do") is a hybrid of other martial arts and fighting styles. It blends moves from a variety of sources ranging from boxing and wrestling to jujitsu and judo. The linking theme throughout is ending the conflict as quickly and effectively as possible, placing survival as the highest priority. Covering both armed and unarmed moves as well as a variety of restraint techniques, students will find a wide range of easily learnable skills that will be useful everywhere from home to the streets to the battlefield.Fairbairn influenced the world of hand-to-hand combat as a member of the Shanghai Municipal Police in the 1930s and a trainer of elite-unit soldiers during World War II. He is a modern legend in the history of fighting and self-defense skills and is widely regarded as one of the fathers of modern hand-to-hand combat. Fairbairn's first book, Defendu offers practical fighting skills as well as valuable historical insight into the evolution of this innovative self-defense technique. The material is clearly presented and can be useful to everyone from the light weight beginner to a powerful martial artist. The knowledge you gain just might save your life!Fully illustrated with over 200 demonstrative photographs.

"The most complete book on Urine Therapy to be published" -from the Foreword by Swami Pragyamurti SaraswatiPracticed for thousands of years in the East, urine therapy - the application of your body's own urine as an agent for the promotion and management of good health - has gained popularity in the West as more people seek effective, affordable and holistic alternatives to modern medicines. Dutch auto-urine expert Coen Van der Kroon first encountered urine therapy when he cut his foot at an ashram in the mountains of India. Conventional antiseptics and treatments did nothing for the injury, and the infection steadily worsened until he was advised to wrap his foot in a cloth soaked in his own urine. To his great relief the treatment worked; the wound healed rapidly. This event served as an awakening for him, beginning his journey of learning and sharing the positive health benefits of urine therapy. Van der Kroon combines his years of research with a wealth of personal experience to document the history and implementation of urine therapy. He introduces and explains its fundamental principles, explores its history, lists many practical applications, and documents recent research and literature on the subject. Remarkably, the medicinal properties of urine have been shown to work as a natural remedy for a variety of bodily ills ranging from skin conditions to the common cold to cancer. Complete with an extensive bibliography and numerous illustrations, this user-friendly guide is a thorough primer for the curious, and an informative resource for those already versed in this practice and its benefits.

If your interest is whet by history, shooting or the large caliber handguns, this is the book for you.In this comprehensive guide, firearms expert John Taffin follows the development of big bores from 1870 to today. His fascinating model to model review includes more than 300 photos and fine details about the pioneering sixguns, as well as the influence those guns have had on each other and the field of competitive shooting.Famous big bore revolvers featured in this book include the .357 Magnum, the .44 Magnum, the .45 Colt, and an armory of other popular large bore handguns. Written in an easy-to-follow format, Big Bore Sixguns lays out a detailed history of Colts, Smith & Wessons, Rugers, and the men who made them.

Tales of contemporary mobs, criminal activity among Russian immigrants, and claims of KGB involvement in American crime have long been reported in the news, but what of the "Russian mafia" is real, and what is a creation of sensational media? With research conducted in collaboration with the Tri-State Joint Soviet-émigré Organized Crime Project, Russian Mafia in America was the first in-depth study on Russian organized crime following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Authors Finckenauer and Waring focus on criminal networks in the New York-New Jersey-Pennsylvania area, as well as a nationwide survey of law enforcement agencies and major criminal cases.Russian Mafia in America is a compelling look into the phenomenon of crime among Russian émigrés over generations, creating a fascinating contrast to commonly held assumptions.

According to ancient myths, the Goddess Ariadne fared poorly. But is that simply the story the Ancient Greeks wanted retold in their myths? In Ariadne's Thread, Shekhinah Mountainwater argues that reclaiming womanhood and seeking spiritual liberation from patriarchal limitations can change the world-not by flipping the tables to a hierarchical matriarchy but in working toward a peaceful, egalitarian, sustainable society that embraces the traditionally "feminine" values of compassion and nurturing regardless of gender. She looks carefully and with wisdom at the old stories, and skillfully tugs the loose edges of old paradigms. A pioneer of the Goddess feminist movement, Mountainwater employs powerful archetypes and a feminist ethic of care to challenge our assumptions and draw us from the mundane into the mysterious in our own lives. Considered a classic of women's spirituality and goddess worship, Ariadne's Thread offers a magical path of discovery into the mysteries of the Goddess. It includes detailed explorations of the Maiden, Mother, and Crone guiding the cycles of life, as well as rituals to affirm our lunar and natural cycles in the world. As the Library Journal writes, this "well-written book encourages women to find their own spiritual path." Offering her own thread to guide our labyrinth, Mountainwater has illuminated a powerful, poetic, and joyful initiation.

Translated and compiled in 1926 by esteemed scholar Rutherford Hayes Platt, The Forgotten Books of Eden is a beautiful collection of apocrypha and pseudepigrapha that is sure to enrich and deepen your appreciation of the Biblical canon. Though these stories, for whatever reason, were excluded from The Bible by its original compilers, they were written alongside the texts we've come to know and love so well. The stories in this book expand on canonical Bible chapters and fill in some gaps that inquisitive Bible readers may have wondered about since they were children. Among the many books included in this collection are: The First and Second Books of Adam and Eve The Secrets of Enoch The Psalms of Solomon The Odes of Solomon The Letter of Aristeas The Fourth Book of Maccabees And numerous othersAlthough it's certainly no substitute for The Word itself, The Forgotten Books of Eden enhances and expands on The Old Testament and will lead you to new insights and a deeper understanding of your faith.

Everything you want to know about the history of architecture is included in this comprehensive guided tour. Author Carol Strickland brings us architectural wonders of design from the Stone Age to the Space Age - including Stonehenge, the Eiffel Tower and more. With 192 illustrated pages peppered with informative sidebars and biographical anecdotes from Brunelleschi to Frank Lloyd Wright, this fascinating crash course covers everything you need to know - from cultural history to architectural breakthroughs-in a quick-to-review, easy-to-retain format. Covering all bases, The Annotated Arch explores the ancient world, the Middle Ages, 18th and 19th centuries, and 20th century and modernism. "Architecture is much more than the sum of these singular parts. It's an art of interdependence, where separate elements interact with the time, place, materials, technology, economy, and individual genius. Goethe called architecture 'frozen music.' Sounding all the notes from high to low on the scale of human invention, architecture preserves the best-loved tunes of civilization." -Author Carol Strickland

Tales of contemporary mobs, criminal activity among Russian immigrants, and claims of KGB involvement in American crime have long been reported in the news, but what of the "Russian mafia" is real, and what is a creation of sensational media? With research conducted in collaboration with the Tri-State Joint Soviet-émigré Organized Crime Project, Russian Mafia in America was the first in-depth study on Russian organized crime following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Authors Finckenauer and Waring focus on criminal networks in the New York-New Jersey-Pennsylvania area, as well as a nationwide survey of law enforcement agencies and major criminal cases.Russian Mafia in America is a compelling look into the phenomenon of crime among Russian émigrés over generations, creating a fascinating contrast to commonly held assumptions.

You don't have to travel far to discover nature's hidden treasures and exquisite details.In this book, naturalist Cathy Johnson offers inspiring advice for finding beauty in your own backyard. Using the techniques and tools she's honed as an artist, Johnson shows you how to experience nature anew using all your senses, bringing different meaning to what you see every day.Illustrated with the author's finely detailed drawings, The Local Wilderness is a must-read for anyone looking for a fresh way to rediscover the tranquility of nature in their own neighborhood - from the hidden creatures of the night to sojourns in the woods.