Dreams Disillusions

Dreams + Disillusions explores the plethora of ideas and ideologies that have shaped and reshaped cities in profound ways. However, unlike a conventional title on the history of urbanism and architecture, its research fluctuates between the world of concrete reality and the multiple universes that exist in lucid prose, poetic visions, and the outrageous imaginations of history’s greatest and most (in)famous minds. In their thoughts are the foundations for political trends and new civilisations, alternative mappings and unlikely phenomena. The six chapters reveal dreams that were fundamental to the origin of great cities, underpinning the stories of the many lives within; and how, through circumstance or manipulation, fortunate coincidence or planned perfection, desires are sometimes left defeated and disillusioned. Myth and belief. Tradition and logic. Revolution and marginalisation. Ignorance and hubris. Sins and excess. Seasons and climate. Continuously interacting, shifting to enlighten and to enrage, these themes combine critical thinking with deep-rooted influences and new agencies that are a true sign of the times. The 18 illustrated speculations provide an abundance of curious imaginings, diverse provocations and satirical criticism. While there are distinctions between dreams and disillusions, could virtues be made of sins, or sensitivity be borne from hubris? Could progress advocate tradition, or should we re-attempt revolutions formerly experienced as disillusionments? Whether by bold gestures or by subtle attrition, cities are continually re-written crucibles for the human condition. In this book, we develop a better understanding of the discourse of cities tailored to the determining factors of climate, resources, and humanity’s idiosyncrasies to address a world in crisis.

From Dreams to Disillusionment is the first book to cover the planning experiment of the 1960s in full historical detail. Other countries' planners made the approach seem successful, however, the experiment eventually failed, doomed to disappoint given unrealistic expectations, lack of time and an overburdened government.

This book explores the plethora of ideas and ideologies that have shaped and reshaped cities in profound ways. Six chapters reveal dreams that were fundamental to the origin of great cities, show how desires are sometimes left defeated and disillusioned, and consider factors such as climate, resources, and humanity's idiosyncrasies.

Normal0falsefalsefalseMicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Fitzgerald's Craft of Short Fiction offers the first comprehensive study of the four collections of short stories that F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) prepared for publication during his lifetime: Flappers and Philosophers (1920), Tales of the Jazz Age (1922), All the Sad Young Men (1926), and Taps at Reveille (1935). These authorized collections--which include works from the entire range of Fitzgerald's career, from his undergraduate days at Princeton to his final contributions to Esquire magazine--provide an ideal overview of his development as a short story writer. Originally published in 1989, this volume draws upon Fitzgerald's copious personal correspondence, biographical studies, and all available criticism, and analyzes how Fitzgerald perceived his achievements as a writer of short fiction from both artistic and commercial standpoints. Petry pays close attention to the individual stories, exploring how Fitzgerald's growing technical expertise and the evolution of his themes reflect changes in his personal life.

Most people go through life chasing illusions of success, fame, wealth, happiness, and few things are more painful than the reality-revealing loss of an illusion. But if illusions are negative, why is the opposite, being disillusioned, also negative? In this essay based on his inaugural writer-in-residence lecture at Athabasca University, internationally acclaimed writer Steven Heighton mathematically evaluates the paradox of disillusionment and the negative aspects of hope. Drawing on writers such as Herman Melville, Leonard Cohen, Kate Chopin, and Thich Nhat Hanh, Heighton considers the influence of illusions on creativity, art, and society. This meditation on language and philosophy reveals the virtues of being disillusioned and, perhaps, the path to freedom.

Despite our hurts and disappointments in life, we were created with a purpose. Each scene we lived, regardless of the pain inflicted to our soul; in the end, when all the pieces of the puzzle are put together, we will be able to see the magnificent masterpiece, and then we will be able to understand that there was a reason for every shattered dream. Have you wondered if anyone can relate to your pain? This book will help you to discover the beauty among the thorns; will encourage you to continue the fight you are engaged in, and to never give up, because you are making the difference in the midst of your surroundings. There is no victory without a battle. Some abandon their dreams for different reasons. This book will inspire you to be an overcomer, to be the conqueror you were created and equipped to be; even before you realized that you are in a battlefield. You are not alone. There are others like you, who are warriors, and understand that it doesnt matter the many pieces they have to pick up from the floor, and start all over again; they keep fighting for the prize. It doesnt matter how you feel, or how many barriers you have to run over; you are not alone. Your descendants are your fans and witnesses. One day they will reap the fruit of your efforts. While the breath of life is still in us; there is hope, and the sky is the limit! Every hurt and every disappointment is a stepping-stone to your final destination. You are not alone. Dont give up!

This humorous tale of the naïve and curious African student-cum-philosopher wandering between North and South, the rural and the urban, has been in gestation for a period of nearly two decades. With allusion to traditions of the philosophical novel and the picaresque, Nyamnjoh's protagonist travels from his African village to the sharply divided and socially cruel world of 1980s Britain. By casting aside his disillusion and the traps of servitude and victimhood, The Disillusioned African reveals his creative potential for curiosity and adventure. He brings a bird's eye view, always affectionate, gently mocking, to the cultural idiosyncrasies of the new world he encounters, which throws his own African culture, politics and socio-economic realities into light relief. Praise for The Disillusioned African 'Whatever the imagined future for Africa, this courageous book will certainly provide, for both its foreign readers and the young generation of Cameroonians, a provocative insight into the complex web of despair, frustration, paradox and hope . on the eve of the 21st century.' - Louise Cuming, Catholic University of Central Africa 'In his characteristically humorous style, Nyamnjoh portrays the various social ills in society and castigates the political elite he holds largely responsible.' - Piet Konings, African Studies Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands. 'Francis Nyamnjoh . has a particular way of saying very serious things in the most unserious manner. He entertains, and in the process he moralises, he teaches, he gives you lessons. learning experience and philosophy to give you a view of the dilemma of the African.' - Sammy Beban Chumbow, Professor of Linguistics, University of Yaounde I