From Duty To Desire

In the 1980s, Jane Collier revisited a village in Andalusia, where she and others had conducted fieldwork twenty years earlier, to investigate changes in family relationships and to explore the larger question of the development of a "modern subjectivity" among the people. Whereas the villagers she met in the sixties stressed the importance of meeting social obligations, the people she interviewed more recently emphasized the need to think for oneself: status concerns in choosing a spouse had apparently been replaced by romantic love, patriarchal authority by partnership marriages, parental demands for obedience by hopes of earning children's affection, mourners' respect for the dead by personal expressions of grief. In each of these areas, the author detected a modern concern for "producing oneself," which emerged with changes in how villagers experienced social inequality. Collier notes that when inheritance appeared to determine social status, villagers protected family reputations and properties by demonstrating concern for "what others might say." Once villagers began participating in the national job market, where individual achievement appeared to determine a worker's income, they focused on realizing their inner abilities and productive capacities. Sensitivity to one's feelings, thoughts, and aptitudes, along with "rational" assessments of the costs and benefits entailed in "choosing" how to use them, testified to a person's unceasing efforts to realize inner potentials. The author also traces shifts in the meaning of "tradition," suggesting that although "modern" people cannot "be" traditional, they must have traditions in order to produce themselves.

In each of these areas the author detected a modern concern for "producing oneself," which merged with changes in how villagers experienced social inequality.

³There was little danger of encountering the Bennet sisters ever again.² Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice is beloved by millions, but little is revealed in the book about the mysterious and handsome hero, Mr. Darcy. And so the question has long remained: Who is Fitzwilliam Darcy? Pamela Aidan's trilogy finally answers that long-standing question, creating a rich parallel story that follows Darcy as he meets and falls in love with Elizabeth Bennet. Duty and Desire, the second book in the trilogy, covers the "silent time" of Austen's novel, revealing Darcy's private struggle to overcome his attraction to Elizabeth while fulfilling his roles as landlord, master, brother, and friend. When Darcy pays a visit to an old classmate in Oxford in an attempt to shake Elizabeth from his mind, he is set upon by husband-hunting society ladies and ne'er-do-well friends from his university days, all with designs on him -- some for good and some for ill. He and his sartorial genius of a valet, Fletcher, must match wits with them all, but especially with the curious Lady Sylvanie. Irresistibly authentic and entertaining, Duty and Desire remains true to the spirit and events of Pride and Prejudice while incorporating fascinating new characters, and is sure to dazzle Austen fans and newcomers alike.

"Personal Power - Desire Power: Your Energizing Forces Vol-3" by William Walker Atkinson is an insightful book that explores the dynamics of desire and its role in personal empowerment. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding and harnessing the energy of desire, recognizing it as a powerful driving force that propels individuals toward their aspirations. Through practical exercises and techniques, Atkinson guides readers on a journey of self-discovery, helping them clarify their desires, align them with their values, and develop an action plan to manifest their aspirations. With wisdom, the author empowers readers to embrace their desires and use them as catalysts for personal growth and achievement. "Personal Power - Desire Power" serves as a roadmap for individuals seeking to harness the energy of their desires, create a compelling vision for their lives, and take inspired action to bring their dreams into reality.

Presented here in its original 12-volume series, the Personal Power Books are a set of self-help books designed to be carefully studied to develop personal power. In the Foreword to Volume I, personal power is defined as "The ability of strength possessed by the human individual, by which he does, or may, accomplish desired results in an efficient manner, along the lines of physical, mental, and spiritual effort and endeavor." In other words, these books describe the methods to attaining control and power in your own life, whether it be financial, physical, mental, or emotional--certainly a worthy goal for any individual.Volume III includes instructions on Desire, specifically on knowing what you want, wanting what you want enough, and the price of attaining it. Volume III also focuses on the Evolution of Desire.American writer WILLIAM WALKER ATKINSON (1862-1932) was editor of the popular magazine New Thought from 1901 to 1905 and editor of the journal Advanced Thought from 1916 to 1919. He authored dozens of New Thought books under numerous pseudonyms, including the name "Yogi," some of which are likely still unknown today.

Rou is a psychologist looking for a bride for the sheik of the Kingdom of Sarq. No matter how charming she finds Sheik Zayed Fehr, she has to come up with a woman who fits his strict requirements perfectly within a week, which she admits is impossible! But Zayed seems not to care about the difficulties she's having, and when she finally produces a list of women, he rejects them all point-blank. On top of that, when he steals a kiss from her, she's overwhelmed by the heat of his intense passion. Just like that, he decides to coerce her into becoming his bride...