Sergio Leone's famed Dollars trilogy sparked a gold-rush, as a legion of European film-makers went on to make in excess of 600 Westerns in just 10 years. Massively popular, stylish and baroque, Euro-Westerns became box-office sensations around the world and their influence can still be felt today. Any Gun Can Play spotlights the many actors, directors and poster artists who changed the look of the Western and dragged it into the modern age. Complete with a foreword by Euro-Western legend Franco Nero.
Last Weapons explains how the use of hunger strikes and fasts in political protest became a global phenomenon. Exploring the proliferation of hunger as a form of protest between the late-nineteenth and mid-twentieth centuries, Kevin Grant traces this radical tactic as it spread through trans-imperial networks among revolutionaries and civil-rights activists from Russia to Britain to Ireland to India and beyond. He shows how the significance of hunger strikes and fasts refracted across political and cultural boundaries, and how prisoners experienced and understood their own starvation, which was then poorly explained by medical research. Prison staff and political officials struggled to manage this challenge not only to their authority, but to society’s faith in the justice of liberal governance. Whether starving for the vote or national liberation, prisoners embodied proof of their own assertions that the rule of law enforced injustices that required redress and reform. Drawing upon deep archival research, the author offers a highly original examination of the role of hunger in contesting an imperial world, a tactic that still resonates today.
The book explores the resurgence of anti-slavery activism in Great Britain prior to World War One, highlighting how abolitionists shifted their focus from the trans-Atlantic slave trade to the 'new slaveries' of European imperialism in Africa. It examines their condemnation of coercive labor systems, including taxation and indentured servitude, as well as the atrocities associated with these practices, showcasing a pivotal moment in the fight against injustice.
Did Jesus Believe in Hell? Is a spiritual text focused on Christian beliefs. Readers go on a journey of examining ages'-old beliefs many of us have been taught to see whether or not they are supported by scripture. This is followed by an offering of new understandings that may provide illumination (if they are new to the reader).
Exploring the Euro-Western phenomenon, this book delves into its themes, characters, and unique quirks while comparing it to traditional American Westerns. It highlights the contributions of overlooked actors, directors, musicians, and poster artists who redefined the genre. Drawing from extensive research and interviews with notable figures in the field, it serves as a comprehensive guide that appeals to both enthusiasts and newcomers, offering deep insights into the evolution of Western cinema.
