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  Spain’s Explorers in the Age of...

  Editors Charles River

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  The most seminal event of the last millennium might also be its most controversial. As schoolchildren have been taught for over 500 years, “In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” In October of that year, the Italian Christopher Columbus immortalized himself by landing in the New World and beginning the process of European settlement in the Americas for Spain, bringing the Age of Exploration to a new hemisphere with him. Ironically, the Italian had led a Spanish expedition, in part because the Portugese rejected his offers in the belief that sailing west to Asia would take too long. 
  If Columbus and Cortés were the pioneers of Spain’s new global empire, Pizarro consolidated its immense power and riches, and his successes inspired a further generation to expand Spain’s dominions to unheard of dimensions. Furthermore, he participated in the forging of a new culture: like Cortés, he took an indigenous mistress with whom he had two mixed-race children, and yet the woman has none of the lasting fame of Cortés’s Doña Marina. With all of this in mind, it is again remarkable that Pizarro remains one of the less well-known and less written about of the explorers of his age. 
  Today Ferdinand Magellan is remembered as the first man to circumnavigate the globe, an ironic legacy given that he died half a world away from completing that journey. But though it ended catastrophically for Magellan and most of his crew, his expedition accomplished its objective, and in economic terms, the opening up of new trade routes with Asia was a more significant development than the conquest of the Americas for the Europeans of the early 16th century.

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  Ancient and Medieval Warfare in...

  Editors Charles River

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  For the Greeks, a hoplite was only as strong as the hoplite next to him; without hoplites on the sides, both flanks were exposed, and heavy infantry units are not mobile. Thus, they implemented the phalanx formation, one of history’s most important military innovations. The phalanx was a line of infantry as wide across as the battlefield dictated, anything from five to 30 men deep, with each rank of men officered by a veteran. The formation also included an additional, expert file-closer at the back of each file, to keep the formation cohesive. The phalanx advanced slowly to maintain its tight formation and unit cohesion, speeding up in unison just before reaching combat.   
  	While the Roman army is rightly famed as an institution, the image of the individual legionary is also an iconic one. The uniformed, disciplined soldier of the late Republic and early Empire is one of the first things many people imagine when they think of Rome. They are the ultimate image of the ancient soldier, their arms and armor instantly recognizable. Their abilities, not only as warriors but also as engineers and administrators, have made them role models for other soldiers through the centuries. In the same vein, their commanders are still celebrated and studied, and generals the world over have tried to emulate the likes of Julius Caesar. 
  If anything, the one aspect of the Middle Ages that has been romanticized is medieval warfare. Indeed, the Middle Ages have long sparked people’s imaginations thanks to imagery of armored knights battling on horseback and armies of men trying to breach the walls of formidable castles. What is generally forgotten is that medieval warfare was constantly adapting to the times as leaders adopted new techniques and technology, and common infantry became increasingly important throughout the period. By the end of the period, warfare was radically changing thanks to the rise of gunpowder weapons and artillery. 

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  Strike - Labor Unions and...

  Sarah E. Bond

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  Historian Sarah E. Bond retells the traditional story of Ancient Rome, revealing how groups of ancient workers unified, connected, and protested as they helped build an empire 
   
   
    
  From plebeians refusing to join the Roman army to bakers withholding bread, this is the first book to explore how Roman workers used strikes, boycotts, riots, and rebellion to get their voices—and their labor—acknowledged. Sarah E. Bond explores Ancient Rome from a new angle to show that the history of labor conflicts and collective action goes back thousands of years, uncovering a world far more similar to our own than we realize. 
   
   
    
  Workers often turned to their associations for solidarity and shared identity in the ancient world. Some of these groups even negotiated contracts, wages, and work conditions in a manner similar to modern labor unions. As the world begins to consider the value—and indeed the necessity—of unionization to protect workers, this book demonstrates that we can learn valuable lessons from ancient laborers and from attempts by the Roman government to limit their freedom.

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  Basic Alchemical Meditation -...

  Dennis William Hauck

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  This is a Basic Alchemical Meditation compounded from meditative techniques used by alchemists such as Paracelsus, Basil Valintine, and Jakob Boehme. There are three general steps in the full meditation that correspond to the three phases of alchemy. The first phase is the Nigredo (darkening, death, and putrefaction of the ego), which consists of two operations in which one attempts to Disengage Physically and Disengage Mentally from the world. The second phase is the Albedo (whitening and purification) in which one achieves original innocence or Zero-state Consciousness. The third phase is Rubedo (reddening or empowered integration into a new level of being) that is found in continued Meditation in the Pure Light. 
       Overall, the first two phases represent a progressive resurrection and purification of the light of consciousness to prepare for the transformative, one-pointed “Meditation in the Pure Light” phase. In that phase, alchemists feel they are working with the logoic light to transform reality in not only the inner lab or soul but also in the objective material reality of their “laboratory” or outer world. 
       Whether you are a novice meditator or experienced, the following instructions should be helpful in achieving Meditation in the Pure Light. But feel free to follow your own path in meditation or customize these steps to fit your regimen. The most important lesson is to grasp is the dual nature of our reality—the spiritual and material realms in which we exist. The bridge between those two realms can only be found in the Pure Light—in what Paracelsus called the “True Imagination.”

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  Mollie

  AJ Liebling

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  Killed in combat on Good Friday, 1943, Pvt. Karl C. Warner--known as Molotov, Mollie, or the Mayor of Broadway--was awarded the Silver Star posthumously. Intrigued by the legend and fascinated by the man behind it, reporter A.J. Liebling searched out Mollie’s old New York haunts and associates and found behind the layers of myth a cocky former busboy from Hell’s Kitchen who loved the good life. 
   
  Abbott Joseph Liebling (October 18, 1904 – December 28, 1963) was an American journalist who was closely associated with The New Yorker from 1935 until his death. During World War II, Liebling was active as a war correspondent, filing many stories from Africa, England, and France. 
   
  Grover Gardner, one of the audio industry's premier narrators, has recorded over 500 audiobooks and was named one of Audiofile Magazine’s Golden Voices of 1999. He is a member of the Woolly Mammoth Theater Company, Resident Director at Everyman Theater in Baltimore and has received 5 Helen Hayes Award nominations of his work.

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  History of Scotland - A...

  Days of History

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  Discover the Secrets of Scotland's Past in This Book! 
  Introducing the book you need to unlock the mysteries and marvels of this storied nation. Embark on an epic journey that spans thousands of years and countless tales of heroism, tragedy, and triumph. 
  Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Scotland's past, from the enigmatic Picts to the rise of the powerful clans. 
  Stand alongside legendary figures like William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and Mary, Queen of Scots. 
  Explore Scotland's profound impact on the world, from its industrial revolution to its vibrant culture and beyond. 
  Unravel the Threads of Time with captivating storytelling and meticulous research, this comprehensive book weaves together the many strands of Scotland's history, creating a vivid and unforgettable portrait of a nation that continues to shape the world. 
  What You'll Discover Inside:In-depth explorations of key historical events, such as the Wars of Scottish Independence and the Jacobite uprisings.Revealing insights into the lives of Scotland's most influential figures and the forces that drove them.A captivating narrative that brings the past to life, making you feel as if you were there to witness history unfold. 
  Don't Miss Out! 
  History buffs, proud Scots, and anyone with a passion for uncovering the stories of the past will find "History of Scotland: A Comprehensive History of Scotland: From Ancient Times to the 21st Century" an essential addition to their library. 
  Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Order your copy today and delve into the extraordinary history of Scotland – a journey that will leave you spellbound and hungry for more. Secure your copy now and start uncovering the hidden treasures of Scotland's past!

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