54 Results in the "Non-Fiction" category


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      Notes

      Notes Cover
      by LovelyMay Notes opens a window into a rich tapestry of shared legacy between France and Scotland, woven through the story of Jeanne d’Arc. Her military campaign at Lagny, where she triumphed over the Burgundians under Franquet d’Arras, gains added depth when her Scottish connections are considered. One remarkable detail is the possibility that her iconic banner was created by a Scottish artist, perhaps a James Polwarth or someone from the Hume family. This visual symbol, which accompanied her into battle,…
      History • Poetry
    • Notable Cross-Country Flights of 1911 Cover
      by LovelyMay Notable Cross-Country Flights of 1911 brought aviation to the forefront of technological and human achievement, as pilots tested not just machines but their own endurance across vast landscapes. One of the year’s most dramatic highlights was Orville Wright’s flight at Killdevil Hills, where he remained aloft for over ten minutes despite strong winds. This feat demonstrated the increasing control and stability of powered flight. While Wright’s contribution remained largely experimental, many aviators…
    • Nightmare:  A Tale for an Autumn Evening Cover
      by LovelyMay In this chapter titled Nightmare: A Tale for an Autumn Evening, the scene unfurls not with quiet suspense but with wild momentum, as a windswept street transforms into a theater of chaos and absurdity. The setting is no ordinary night—it is a blustery autumn evening charged with movement, sound, and the comic struggle of one man trying to reach the comfort of home. Mr. Spruggins, slightly off balance from the indulgence of a rich dinner and wine, finds himself tossed and spun by a wind that behaves less…
    • Men, Women, and Ghosts Cover
      by LovelyMay Men, Women, and Ghosts by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps is a collection of short stories blending realism with supernatural elements, exploring the lives, emotions, and inner struggles of its characters. Published in 1869, the book delves into themes of love, loss, war, and the human psyche, often with a focus on the impact of the Civil War on individuals and families. Phelps’ stories are known for their psychological depth and moral complexity, as well as their daring exploration of women’s roles and inner lives. With a mix of ghostly encounters and poignant human experiences, *Men, Women, and Ghosts* is celebrated for its sensitive, sometimes haunting portrayal of the spiritual and emotional dimensions of everyday life.
    • Memoir of Fleeming Jenkin Cover
      by LovelyMay Memoir of Fleeming Jenkin is a biography written by his friend and colleague, Sir William Kingdon Clifford, published posthumously in 1887. It chronicles the life of Fleeming Jenkin, a Scottish engineer, mathematician, and philosopher, highlighting his contributions to science, his intellectual pursuits, and his personal character. The memoir offers a portrait of a brilliant and dedicated scholar.
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      Malmaison

      Malmaison Cover
      by LovelyMay In this chapter titled Malmaison, the scene opens with the estate shimmering under the French sun, its roof catching the light as the Seine glides nearby. Within this idyllic setting, Citoyenne Beauharnais pauses by the gates, weary from her walk and filled with a quiet cynicism. She questions whether the famed roses inside can match their reputation or if, in a time so steeped in blood and upheaval, the guillotine would greet her instead. As the iron gates creak open, her thoughts are interrupted by the…
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      Loch-Fishing

      Loch-Fishing Cover
      by LovelyMay Loch-Fishing evokes more than the pursuit of trout; it taps into a deeper connection between angler and landscape, where every loch tells its own tale. In Scotland, these waters stretch far beyond the ordinary, offering challenges shaped by nature’s whims and the fish’s unspoken instincts. One might find eager, finger-length trout in Loch Borlan that rise with childlike trust, while Loch Awe holds its secrets closer, sheltering elusive giants in darker depths. The contrast is stark yet poetic,…
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      Loch Leven

      Loch Leven Cover
      by LovelyMay Loch Leven presents itself not merely as a body of water but as a canvas layered with centuries of history and the quiet complexity of fly fishing. For the angler, it offers not just a test of skill but a dialogue between solitude and society. The loch, ringed by green slopes and whispered legends, asks its visitors to cast more than just their lines—it asks them to reflect. The author steps into this space with a consciousness shaped by contrast: the reflective rhythm of fishing versus the noisy gamble…
    • Loch Awe–The Boatman’s Yarns Cover
      by LovelyMay Loch Awe--The Boatman's Yarns begins not with a cast but with the recognition that true fishing in Scotland demands patience, travel, and a willingness to seek solitude far from crowded banks. South of the Pentland Firth, angling grows scarce, spoiled by overuse and proximity to urban sprawl. But Loch Awe, though touched by time and tourism, remains a place where the rhythm of water still beats slowly. It is not untouched—railways and lodges have left their mark—but it still offers quiet for those…
    • Literary Forgeries Cover
      by LovelyMay Literary Forgeries have long held a captivating and dangerous allure in the world of book collectors. These deceptive imitations of famous literary works blend art, illusion, and obsession, drawing many into their complex and often treacherous web. One of the most infamous figures in this shadowy world was Jean-Baptiste Duval, a French bibliophile whose passion for rare books led him to commit the ultimate betrayal of trust—creating forgeries of some of the most sought-after works in literary history.…
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