When cholera hit the small village of Scheveningen on the west coast of Holland in June 1832, it took everybody by surprise. It had been generally assumed that the deadly disease would come from the east. From India the pandemic had spread throughout Asia, reaching Russia, Poland, then Prussia…… Soldiers had fired their rifles to clear the air, ships had been quarantined, travellers had been stopped and questioned, all to no avail.

The first cases of cholera in the Netherlands were fierce...

What is fundamental for living objects?

They possess the potential to keep a number of surrounding variables within certain boundaries by using prepared behavior. At first glance, the way in which human behavior is determined reveals an enormous complexity in people. Consider the enormous diversity of cultures and the many ways in which behavior determination – both reactive and proactive – may change and develop throughout one lifetime. How can this great diversity between people as wel...

The earliest Christian myths emerged in the melting pot of Gnostic Alexandria, not in orthodox Jerusalem, classical Athens or legalistic Rome. In this book, Tjeu van den Berk traces the sources of the Christian faith to the banks of the river Nile.

In terms of symbolism, the Christian religion is virtually identical to that of the ancient Egyptians. From the perspective of religious history, we can agree with the theologian Eugen Drewermann who described ‘ a complete dependence of Christia...

Solitary Persons? describes the autism theories of George Frankl (1897-1975), Hans Asperger (1906-1980) and Leo Kanner (1894-1981). These medical doctors were among the first to work with autistic children. Frankl’s role in the history of autism was discovered in 2015 and is clarified here. Asperger and Kanner are well-known founders of autism research, but this dissertation presents new discoveries about their work and a new interpretation of their work as a whole.

Frankl, Asperger and Kan...

Rian de Waal (1958-2011) has written a book about the piano, and how the development of piano playing has been very much dependent upon musicians who were able to cross borders. In 'Metamorphoses, the Art of the Virtuoso Piano Transcription', De Waal takes us on a journey through the capricious history of the piano transcription. At first revered by musicians and audience alike (and often the sole reason for the great fame of some pianists), the piano transcription later became despised and c...

During large parts of its history chemistry was seen as a science of progress, admired by many. But contemporary public debates on chemistry have been quite critical, mainly for environmental reasons. Therefore is it interesting to note that in the course of the 1990s “green chemistry” emerged. The origins, scientific meaning and drivers behind the spectacular growth of that new field are the subject of "Research between Science, Society and Politics: The History and Scientific Developmen...

Traumasexuality concerns the lives of men who were sexually abused as boys. Everyone finds sexual abuse very upsetting. However, if you ask the question what makes it so bad, very few people can say anything sensible about it. Once you have read this book, you will be an expert in this subject. You will acquire new insights and have a precise vocabulary for naming the details.

The term traumasexuality provides a new perspective on the damage caused by sexual abuse. This book provides a detail...

This edited volume explores the interface between psychiatry and spiritual care. Philosophers, psychiatrists and chaplains focus on recovery, trauma and grief in mental health care, prison and military settings.

Franz Schubert (1797–1828) and his oeuvre are surrounded by an atmosphere of tragedy. During his lifetime he struggled with childhood trauma, lack of recognition, and syphilis, and he became truly appreciated as a composer only long after his death. His initial fame came mainly from his songs, though he himself longed for recognition of his instrumental music. This new Schubert biography, drawing extensively on 19th-century sources and the latest scholarship, relates how lack of recognition...

Lukáš Stárek’s book discusses the significance of the social environment and inclusive education for children with disadvantages. It emphasizes that schools play a crucial role in shaping children’s development, providing support in knowledge and skills for the benefit of both the individual and society. Acknowledging the individuality of each child is essential for fostering a classroom environment based on trust and confidence.

The role of teachers is highlighted as they have a direc...