Ian Bradley

A quarter-century after writing the acclaimed The Celtic Way, Ian Bradley, one of the foremost experts on the spiritual beliefs and practices of the indigenous Christian communities in the British Isles in the early Middle Ages, revisits the original sources and makes a substantial reappraisal of Celtic spirituality. Following the Celtic Way challenges many of the myths and romanticised portrayals of Celtic Christianity and shows evidence of the harder edge and demanding austerity of the lives and spirituality of believers from this time.This book sits among the most insightful and up-to-date introductions to this distinctive and evocative expression of faith, and draws out its themes that are most relevant to us today. It also offers practical spiritual guidance on how to follow the Celtic Way in the contemporary world.

A New Assessment of Celtic Christianity

Following the Celtic Way

Celtic Christianity

The Enduring Phenomenon of Gilbert and Sullivan

Oh Joy! Oh Rapture!

Colonies of Heaven

From Christian meditation and labyrinths to Gregorian chants and pilgrimages, people everywhere are looking backward to find soulful ways forward. In Celtic Communities, Bradley explores the resurgence of interest in the practices of the early Celts of monasticism, blessing & cursing, saints, and pilgrimage and their relevance for our post-modern world and contemporary Christian life. Whether they are 'Celtic' or not, what matters is whether they work, whether they speak to people today as authentic, honest and helpful, and above all whether they help us walk in closer imitation of Christ. In this well-researched vision of an historic faith, Bradley eradicates romanticized notions of the Celtic world to reveal the essence of this unique form of Christianity and how to create communities of prayer, artistic and creative activity, hospitality and team ministry modeled on the Celtic tradition.

Live the Tradition

Celtic Christian Communities

Mark Winterbottom

Peter Gale

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The Heinemann Science Scheme

This book charts the life of Arthur Sullivan—the best loved and most widely performed British composer in history. While he is best known for his comic opera collaborations with W. S. Gilbert, it was his substantial corpus of sacred music which meant most to him and for which he wanted to be remembered. His upbringing and training in church music, and his own religious beliefs, substantially affected both his compositions for the theatre and his more serious work, which included oratorios, cantatas, sacred ballads, liturgical pieces, and hymns. Focusing on the spiritual aspects of Sullivan's life—which included several years as a church organist, involvement in Freemasonry, and an undying attachment to Anglican church music—Ian Bradley uses hitherto undiscovered letters, diary entries, and other sources to reveal the important influences on his faith and his work. No saint and certainly no ascetic, he was a lover of life and enjoyed its pleasures to the full. At the same time, he had a rare spiritual sensitivity, a sincere Christian faith, and a unique ability to uplift through both his character and his music that can best be described as a quality of divine emollient.

A Life of Divine Emollient

Arthur Sullivan

In Oh Joy! Oh Rapture! expert and enthusiast Ian Bradley explores the world of Gilbert and Sullivan over the last four and a half decades, looking at the way this "phenomenon" is passed from generation to generation. Taking as his starting point the expiry of copyright on the opera libretti at the end of 1961 and using fascinating hitherto unpublished archive material, Bradley reveals the extraordinary story of the last years of the old D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, the guardian of Savoy tradition for over a hundred years, and the troubled history of its successor. He explores the rich vein of parodies, spoofs, and spin-offs of the songs, as well as their influence on twentieth century lyricists and composers. He analyzes professional productions across the world, looks at the unique place of G&S in schools, colleges, and universities, and lovingly explores the culture of amateur performance. He also uncovers the largely male world of the obsessive fans, those collecting memorabilia, the myriad magazines, journals, websites, and festivals devoted to G&S, and the arcane interests of some of the faithful "inner brotherhood."

Health, Hedonism and Hypochondria looks below the surface and probes the more hidden aspects of the history of spas and their secret sides. A spa nowadays can be anything from a hot tub in the back garden to an exotic beach resort offering mindfulness and yoga. New spas are opening around the world at a rate of 8,000 a year and there are now over 150,000 'spa locations' and contributing $120 billion annually to the $4.2 trillion global wellness economy. This book is about the historic, traditional spas of Europe. They include such well known resorts as the original Spa in Belgium; Bath, Buxton and Harrogate in Britain; Baden-Baden, Bad Ems and Wiesbaden in Germany; Vichy and Aix-les-Bains in France and many more. Health, Hedonism and Hypochondria looks below the surface and probes the more hidden aspects of the history of spas and their secret sides. Not only were they always sanctuaries of relaxation, but also places to treat melancholia and hypochondria, entertain mistresses and 'cure' sterility.

The Hidden History of Spas

Health, Hedonism and Hypochondria

A workshop information anthology combining useful advice and instruction for beginners, with explanations of tools and techniques often familiar in name but not always found described in detail.

Metalwork and Machining Hints and Tips

Arthur Sullivan is best known as W. S. Gilbert's collaborator in the Savoy Operas, However, Sullivan was far from being simply a composer of light operettas. At the height of his fame and popularity in late Victorian Britain, Sullivan was regarded as the nation's leading composer of sacred oratorios on a par with Mendelssohn and Brahms. Yet despite his contemporary popularity and enduring legacy, little attention has been given to Sullivan's sacred work. The last twenty years have seen a considerable revival of interest in and critical appreciation for this aspect of Sullivan's work. Lost Chords and Christian Soldiers provides the first detailed, comprehensive, critical study and review of Sullivan's church and sacred music. As well as exploring issues of repertoire and ecclesiology involved in these and other formative influences and experiences, consideration will be given to how far Sullivan's own personal beliefs and faith influenced his settings of sacred texts and the extent to which his own spiritual and theological leaning are expressed in his choice of material and style of setting. Sullivan's motivation in setting religious texts will be probed and comparison will be made with the motivation, output and approach of his closest contemporaries in this field, most notably Stainer.

The Sacred Music of Arthur Sullivan

Lost Chords and Christian Soldiers

This book explores the phenomenon of Christian pilgrimage, pointing to its origins in the Exodus and wilderness experience of the Jews, the medieval heyday when millions of pilgrims spent months travelling across Europe, and the modern revival which has blurred the lines between pilgrimage and tourism and made places such as Iona, Taize and Santiago di Compostella the mecca for contemporary seekers and travellers. Lavishly illustrated, the book begins with the history and then covers pilgrimages in Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Norway, France, Spain, Italy, Bosnia-Herzogovina and Poland. Pilgrimage is as much about the experience, the travel and the way as it is about the places themselves. Providing a mixture of historical and factual information, and vivid personal experiences together with pilgrims' own accounts and prayers, Ian Bradley brings to life one of the most vibrant expressions of Christian spirituality.

A Spiritual and Cultural Journey

Pilgrimage

Argyll is the beautiful, wild and inspirational home of Celtic Christianity. It is the spiritual heartland of Scotland and, some would say, of the whole United Kingdom. Until now, no-one has sought to uncover the reasons why the spiritual landscape of Argyll is so distinctively unique, rich and varied. Why is it characterised by a more gentle, liberal, mystical and liturgical Christian culture than the harsher Calvinist evangelism of the neighbouring Highlands and the Western Isles? Why has it produced such a disproportionately large amount of beautiful devotional material? This joyful book, with a cover image by popular artist JoLoMo, is impressionistic and accessible but always of the highest scholarly standards. It reveals the dominant themes and figures in Argyll’s spiritual landscape. Ian Bradley’s love of Argyll shines through as he takes both a geographical and biographical approach and looks at the interplay of landscape and Christian belief through such figures as Columba, Carswell, sundry Campbells, George Matheson, George MacLeod and others. Drawing on extensive original research and interviews with a wide variety of people, including many Church of Scotland ministers and lay people, this is an enthralling and fascinating read for all who are interested in Scottish history and identity, Celtic Christianity and Scotland’s spiritual heritage.

The Making of a Spiritual Landscape

Argyll

Packed with history, vivid anecdote and nearly 100 colour illustration, this book brings to life the fascinating communities and the characters along the Pilgrim way in whose footsteps modern pilgrims are treading. Setting off with Celtic saints and St Margaret from Culross and North Queensferry, marching with miners through the West Fife coalfields, carrying on with Covenanters and Communists, and ending among the martyrs, relics and ghosts of the haunted city of St Andrews, this gripping narrative presents a journey through Scottish history, ancient and modern, with spiritual reflections along the way.

In the Footsteps of Monks, Miners and Martyrs

The Fife Pilgrim Way

An Autobiography

Don't Rock the Boat

This unique anthology of biblical and other sacred religious texts, sermons, essays, poems and hymns offers a rich collection of perspectives and beliefs on what lies beyond death, and is designed to bring encouragement, comfort and reassurance as well as prompting spiritual reflection and intellectual curiosity. Ian Bradley is a much-respected writer, broadcaster and academic, and a former Church of Scotland minister, and offers a short commentary on the facing page of each reading, providing context and helpful information and observations. This book will be a valuable resource for all who seek to understand death personally or professionally

An Anthology of Readings on Death and Heaven

The Quiet Haven

At a time of renewed interest in the monarchy (stimulated by the marriage of Prince William of Wales and the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II), the institution is analyzed and dissected from almost every point of view apart from the sacred -- which arguably stands at its heart and is its ultimate raison d'etre. Commentators assess the constitutional and philanthropic aspects of monarchy and its tourist potential; gossip magazines report on the Royal Family as a soap opera. This lack of attention is in marked contrast to the sacred origins of monarchy and the manifest importance of religious belief in the life of the present monarch. Ian Bradley traces the religious dimension of monarchy and argues for its importance as a spiritual force in British life, as well as exploring what this might mean in a society that is both multi-faith and increasingly secular.

The Spiritual Heart of the Monarchy

God Save the Queen

Packed with over almost 100 images and countless stories, it brings to life the fascinating communities and the characters along the route in whose footsteps modern pilgrims are treading. Setting off with Celtic saints from Culross and North Queensferry, marching with miners through the West Fife coalfields, continuing on with Covenanters and Communists and ending among the martyrs, relics and ghosts of the haunted city of St Andrews, this gripping narrative presents a journey through Scottish history, ancient and modern, with spiritual reflections along the way.

Ian Bradley

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