The Early Printed Illustrations of Dante’s “Commedia” provides the first systematic overview of the earliest illustrated editions of Dante’s poem, stretching from 1481 through 1596, and features over 230 illustrations.Developing a series of interdisciplinary methods for studying early printed book illustrations, Matthew Collins explores the visual sources for the first illustrated editions of the Commedia, their narrative qualities, and their infl...

Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. Cultural liberation and musical innovation. Pyrotechnics, bottle service, bass drops, and molly.Electronic dance music has been a vital force for more than three decades now, and has undergone transformation upon transformation as it has taken over the world. In this searching, lyrical account of dance music culture worldwide, Matthew Collin takes stock of its highest highs and lowest lows across its global trajectory. Through firsthand reportage and...

'The definitive story' Q Magazine'I can't recommend this marvellous piece of work enough' Irvine WelshFrom its first publication in 1997, Altered State established itself as the definitive text on Ecstasy and dance culture. This new edition, reissued as part of White Rabbit's prestigious Deep Cuts series, sees Matthew Collin take a thrilling trip through the acid house Summer of Love and the rave scene's euphoric escalation...

If you are handed a list of twenty words printed in black ink, but a single word in the middle is printed in bright red, you will almost certainly remember the red word perfectly while forgetting the rest. This simple quirk of memory is not just a visual trick; it is a fundamental pillar of how the human brain encodes survival information. This phenomenon is called the Von Restorff Effect, or the isolation effect. Our brains are aggressively optimized to ignore the mundane and hyper-focus ...

Dream Machines tracks the music’s evolution from early avant-garde experiments after World War Two through psychedelia, art-rock and synth-pop to electronic dance music, sampling and the techno era. As well as profiling the sonic futurists who pioneered new styles, it documents the scenes and underground movements that built Britain’s thrillingly diverse electronic music culture in its formative decades. Based on interviews with key players and a wealth of in-depth research, Dream Machines...

This book is a comprehensive exploration of the evolution of one of the world's most influential cities. Spanning from its founding in 1781 as a small Spanish pueblo to its transformation into a sprawling global metropolis, this book traces the key historical, cultural, social, and economic forces that shaped Los Angeles over the centuries.Through twenty in-depth chapters, the book examines the city's rich diversity, its development as a cultural powerhouse driven by Hollywood, its...

This book offers a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the history and development of Irvine, California, tracing its evolution from a sparsely populated agricultural outpost to a thriving hub of technology, education, and innovation. Through 20 chapters, the narrative delves into key aspects of the city's growth, including its geography, founding, demographic shifts, political history, and economic transformation. It highlights the significant contributions of influential figures an...

This book explores the rich and complex history of Oakland, California, from its early days as a small settlement to its emergence as a diverse, politically active, and culturally vibrant urban center. The narrative delves into the city's transformation through key events, movements, and challenges that have shaped its identity. Central to the story are the struggles for racial, economic, and social justice, particularly through the lens of African American, Latino, Asian American, and imm...

This book is a comprehensive exploration of the history of Fresno, California, a city defined by its agricultural heritage and shaped by its ongoing efforts to adapt and thrive in the modern world. From its early days as a small agricultural settlement to its current status as a growing urban center, this book examines Fresno's rich history, diverse population, and the political, social, and environmental forces that have influenced its development.Through 20 chapters, this work de...

"History of Sacramento, California" offers a comprehensive exploration of the city's rich and multifaceted history, from its humble beginnings as a Gold Rush boomtown to its evolution into the vibrant political, economic, and cultural hub of California. This book delves into Sacramento's indigenous roots, the impact of Spanish and Mexican colonization, the transformative Gold Rush era, and the challenges of urbanization in the 20th century. Through the lens of key historical figures, socia...

This book offers a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the history of Chula Vista, California, from its early days as a small agricultural settlement to its transformation into a thriving urban center. Divided into twenty chapters, the work examines key aspects of the city's development, including its geography, founding, demographics, political history, economic evolution, urban growth, cultural life, and the impact of immigration. It also delves into critical areas such as healthca...

The History of Santa Clarita offers an in-depth exploration of the city's evolution from its early indigenous roots to its rise as a thriving suburban hub in the 21st century. Through twenty meticulously researched chapters, this book examines the key aspects of Santa Clarita's history, including its geography, founding, demographic changes, political evolution, economic development, and cultural growth. It delves into the technological innovations that have shaped the city, the r...