Other books that might interest you

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  This is Not New - Art Culture...

  David Balzer

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  Praise for Curationism: "Balzer writes with zest, skepticism, and sly humor" —Sheila Heti, author of Pure Colour 
   
   
   
  What does it mean to call something "new"? Why is Western art and culture, even after postmodernism, still so obsessed with the concept? What are the consequences of relying on culture to bring about social change? 
   
   
   
  In this provocative book, David Balzer argues that Western culture was never designed to produce truly new or original artifacts. Rather, we move from fixation to fixation, trend to trend—a cycle of creation and destruction with deep origins in Judeo-Christianity and the paganism that preceded it. The culture industry promises its own form of change while preserving existing systems of power exactly as they are. 
   
   
   
  From the New Jerusalem to the New Left, from Vannevar Bush to Kate Bush, This is Not New asks difficult questions about the role of culture not in making change, but in delaying—even preventing—it.

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  Songbook - The Lyrics and Music...

  Steven Heighton

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  From the award-winning, multi-genre author and musician Steven Heighton, Songbook brings together Heighton’s lyrics and music for the first time in a single volume, including his final songs, which have never been heard or seen until now. When Steven Heighton died suddenly of cancer in 2022, he was in the middle of an intensely creative period of songwriting. He released his first album of original material, The Devil’s Share, in 2021 and was preparing to record his second album. Known first as a poet, Heighton had always held that “music and poetry are two words for the same thing.”
  		 
  As in his songwriting, in Songbook, Heighton moves fluidly between genres and subjects, from political songs like “The Butcher’s Bill,” about the carelessness of nations sending their youth to war, to reimagining the myth of Orpheus (“I'll hold my breath the whole way down / And find your soul in the undertown”), to blues tunes like “Last Living Woman Alive,” and a tribute to the late John Prine, the “Buddha of Song.” With chords accompanying the lyrics, readers and musicians have the ability to bring the songs to life with their own interpretations. The music in Songbook was the final work of Heighton’s life, and it is not only a gift to have his lyrics and chords but an invitation from Heighton himself, challenging his readers to answer the call and keep singing along.

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  The Entire History of Jerusalem...

  Kurt S. Beaudoin

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  Join us on a journey through time as we explore the fascinating and turbulent history of Jerusalem, one of the world's oldest and most contested cities. In this documentary, we uncover the key events that shaped this holy city, from its ancient origins, pivotal conquests, and religious significance, to the Crusades, wars, and the rise of modern Jerusalem. 
   Discover the incredible stories of kings, prophets, conquerors, and civilizations that fought for control over this sacred land. 
   Learn about the spiritual, cultural, and political importance of Jerusalem to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. 
   Witness the battles, the Crusades, and the pivotal moments that still define Jerusalem today. 
  Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a student of religion, or someone curious about the world’s most significant city, this video will provide an in-depth look at Jerusalem's role in shaping the course of history.

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  Medieval Japan - Samurai and...

  Harris Ropes

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  The rise of feudal Japan marked a significant turning point in the nation's political and social history. Beginning in the late 8th to early 9th centuries, the centralized power of the imperial court in Kyoto began to wane. As emperors became more ceremonial figures, real power shifted into the hands of powerful landowning families and military clans in the provinces. These regional lords, or daimyo, started to assert control over their own territories, gradually weakening the authority of the imperial government. 
  This period of decentralization gave birth to a new system where local warlords governed through a network of vassals and military retainers. In return for loyalty and service, these retainers were granted land or a share in the profits from agricultural production. This land-based reward system laid the foundation for the feudal structure that would define medieval Japan for centuries to come. Unlike in Europe, where feudalism was based on strict legal contracts, Japan’s version emphasized personal loyalty and honor, often backed by military strength. 
  The emergence of powerful clans such as the Minamoto and Taira further accelerated the move toward feudal governance. Their rivalry culminated in the Genpei War (1180–1185), a brutal conflict that ultimately led to the downfall of the Taira clan and the rise of the Minamoto. In 1192, Minamoto no Yoritomo was appointed Seii Taishogun, or Shogun, by the emperor, establishing the first shogunate in Kamakura. This event marked the formal beginning of military rule in Japan and the creation of a dual-government system, where the emperor remained as a symbolic figure while the shogun held actual power.

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  The Tangut Kingdom - And Its...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Tangut people, an ethnic group of uncertain origins, gradually emerged as a distinct force in northwestern China. They are believed to have descended from the Qiang tribes, a collection of nomadic and semi-nomadic groups that roamed the Tibetan Plateau and the Ordos region. Over centuries, they migrated and settled in what is now modern-day Ningxia and parts of Gansu and Inner Mongolia, where they established communities and developed a unique cultural identity. Their position between the Tibetan Plateau, the Central Asian steppes, and the Chinese heartland made them an important intermediary in regional affairs. 
  The Tangut rise to prominence was influenced by their interactions with the dominant powers of the region. The Tibetan Empire, which controlled vast areas of western China until its decline in the ninth century, played a significant role in shaping early Tangut culture and governance. The collapse of the Tibetan Empire created a power vacuum that allowed smaller groups like the Tangut to assert their independence. At the same time, the weakening of the Tang Dynasty left northern China vulnerable to fragmentation, further enabling the Tangut to carve out a space for themselves. 
  By the tenth century, the Tangut had developed into a formidable military and political entity, leveraging their strategic location along trade routes to establish economic and diplomatic ties with neighboring states. They maintained relations with the Song Dynasty to the east, the Tibetan remnants to the south, and the nomadic Khitan Liao Empire to the north. These interactions not only enriched Tangut society but also introduced them to a variety of political models, from the bureaucratic governance of the Chinese dynasties to the tribal confederations of the steppe.

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  Dirty Details: Passionate...

  Shannon Rue

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  Passionate Encounters: A Collection of Erotic Stories is perfect for fans of erotica who crave stories filled with raw emotion, steamy encounters, and unforgettable characters. Whether you're looking to escape into a world of fantasy or simply indulge in the pleasures of sensual storytelling, this collection promises to satisfy your every desire. erotica, erotic stories, erotic romance, steamy romance, passionate love stories, adult fiction, erotic fiction, seductive tales

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