For 15 years, Bischoff Black's life in a quiet town in the Nataturi Realm remained uneventful. When a series of unlucky events shatters his tranquil existence, he's hurled into a perilous world of piracy, mixed with a bit of magic. Captured by the very pirates responsible for his father's death, he's compelled to join their quest for a fabled, but cursed treasure. Amidst treacherous sea battles and haunting spirits, Bischoff must adapt swiftly to survive. Yet, as he spends more time in this pirating world, his principles waver. Will he succumb to the allure of the pirate's life and the promise of untold riches? Or will he risk it all to uncover the truth behind his father's murder? In this high-stakes, swashbuckling adventure full of mystery and adventure, one decision will determine Bischoff's destiny.

Presented at a symposium held in 1990 to celebrate the Getty Museum's acquisition of the only known illuminated copy of The Visions of Tondal, twenty essays address the celebrated bibliophilic activity of Margaret of York; the career of Simon Marmion, a favorite artist of the Burgundian court; and The Visions of Tondal in relation to illustrated visions of the Middle Ages. Contributors include Maryan Ainsworth, Wim Blockmans, Walter Cahn, Albert Derolez, Peter Dinzelbacher, Rainald Grosshans, Sandra Hindman, Martin Lowry, Nigel Morgan, and Nigel Palmer.

On history of communication

Hal Wallis might not be as well known as David O. Selznick or Samuel Goldwyn, but the films he produced -- Casablanca, Jezebel, Now Voyager, The Life of Emile Zola, Becket, True Grit, and many other classics (as well as scores of Elvis movies) -- have certainly endured. As producer of numerous films, Wallis made an indelible mark on the course of America's film industry, but his contributions are often overlooked and no full-length study has yet assessed his incredible career. A former office boy and salesman, Wallis first engaged with the business of film as the manager of a Los Angeles movie theater in 1922. He attracted the notice of the Warner brothers, who hired him as a publicity assistant. Within three months he was director of the department, and appointments to studio manager and production executive quickly followed. Wallis went on to oversee dozens of productions and formed his own production company in 1944. Bernard F. Dick draws on numerous sources such as Wallis's personal production files and exclusive interviews with many of his contemporaries to finally tell the full story of his illustrious career. Dick combines his knowledge of behind-the-scenes Hollywood with fascinating anecdotes to create a portrait of one of Hollywood's early power players.