Altri libri che potrebbero interessarti

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  Lochs and Legends: A Scotsman's...

  Andy the Highlander, Lilly Hurd

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  **THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER** 
  A Scotsman’s guide to the extraordinary tapestry of the land, history, folklore and stories of his homeland.  
  From the majestic beauty of the wild Scottish landscape to the hidden traces of its history waiting to be uncovered in every town and village, Andrew McAlindon is enthralled by the country he is lucky enough to call home. As one of Scotland’s busiest tour guides in real life and online, Andy travels around the country to ancient sites such as castles, cemeteries, burial chambers and prisons, celebrating the history, folklore, superstitions and the fascinating people that make Scotland so unique. 
  Lochs and Legends is Andy’s love letter to Scotland, a love that began when he landed a part on the worldwide phenomenon Outlander, and led to him dedicating his life to learning more about the true star of the show – Scotland. A social media sensation as Andy the Highlander, his first book opens up Scotland’s secrets to anyone, even if they can only explore it from the comfort of their armchair. It invites you to time travel with Andy, walking in the footsteps of kings and queens, lairds and ladies, murderers, farmers, poets, invading armies, and everyday folks like himself. It is Scotland as you’ve never seen it before. 
  Andy the Highlander, a popular figure in the realm of tour guides, invites you to explore the pre-historic sites of Scotland, a top destination in Britain. Discover the best of Europe's culture and history, as you delve into the legends and lochs of this extraordinary land. 
  For fans of Rick Steves (Rick Steves Snapshot Nice & the French Riviera), Sarah Brekenridge (What Not To Do), Neil Oliver (Amazing Tales for Making Men Out of Boys), Matt Haig (The Comfort Book), and Martin Dorey (Take the Slow Road). 
  HarperCollins 2024

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  Hoysala Empire - The...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Hoysala Empire was one of the most influential dynasties in South Indian history, known for its patronage of art, culture, and architecture. Flourishing between the 10th and 14th centuries, the empire left an indelible mark on the Deccan region, particularly in present-day Karnataka. The Hoysalas emerged as a powerful force after the decline of the Western Chalukyas, establishing their capital first at Belur and later at Halebidu. Their rule was characterized by military conquests, administrative efficiency, and an enduring legacy of architectural splendor that continues to captivate historians and art enthusiasts. 
  The origins of the Hoysala dynasty are traced to a chieftain named Sala, who, according to legend, was instructed by a Jain monk to kill a tiger that was attacking them. This act of bravery led to the adoption of the royal emblem depicting a warrior slaying a tiger, symbolizing the valor of the Hoysala rulers. Over the centuries, the dynasty expanded its influence through strategic alliances and military campaigns, gaining control over vast territories in the Deccan. Prominent rulers such as Vishnuvardhana and Veera Ballala II played a crucial role in consolidating the empire and fostering a rich cultural heritage. 
  A significant aspect of Hoysala rule was its deep connection with religious and artistic traditions. The dynasty was known for its support of Hinduism, Jainism, and, to some extent, Buddhism, leading to the construction of numerous temples and religious institutions. These temples were not just places of worship but also centers of learning and artistic expression. The Hoysalas employed skilled artisans and sculptors who developed a distinctive architectural style, characterized by intricate carvings, star-shaped temple layouts, and finely detailed sculptures depicting gods, celestial beings, and mythological narratives.

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  All the Wide Border: Wales...

  Mike Parker

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  A Waterstones Travel Book of the Year 2023 
  A funny, warm and timely meditation on identity and belonging, following the scenic route along the England–Wales border: Britain’s deepest faultline. 
  There is a line on the map: to one side Wales, small, rugged and stubborn; on the other England, crucible of the most expansionist culture the world has ever seen. It is a line that has been dug, debated, defined and defended for twenty centuries. 
  All the Wide Border is a personal journey through the places, amongst the people, and across the divides of the border between England and Wales. Taking in some of our loveliest landscapes, and our darkest secrets, this is a region of immeasurable wonder and interest. It is here that the deepest roots and thorniest paradoxes of Britishness lie. The border between the countries, even as a concept, is ragged, jagged and many-layered. 
  Garlanded author Mike Parker has adored and explored these places his entire life. Born in England but settled in Wales, he finds himself typical of many in being pulled in both directions. His journey is divided into three legs, corresponding with the watersheds of the three great border rivers: the Dee in the north, the Severn in the centre, the Wye in the south. Neither quite England nor Wales, the furzy borderland he uncovers — the March — is another country. 
  Picking apart the many notions and clichés of Englishness, Welshness and indeed Britishness, Mike Parker plays with the very idea of borders: our fascination with them, our need for them, and our response to their power. In his hands, the England–Wales frontier is revealed to be a border within us all, and it is fraying, fast. 
  Mike Parker's All the Wide Border is a compelling exploration of the England-Wales border, blending history and social commentary in a series of insightful essays. This new addition to his collection of travelogues is a top pick for anyone interested in European history and culture. 
  For fans of Tom Bullough (Sarn Helen), Gavin Ortlund (Why God Makes Sense in a World That Doesn't), Tim Hannigan (The Granite Kingdom), Chloe Dalton (Raising Hare), and Samantha Harvey (The Shapeless Unease). 
  HarperCollins 2023

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  Dear Bill Bryson - Footnotes...

  Ben Aitken

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  An irreverent homage to the '95 travel classic, from the author of The Gran Tour 
   
  In 2013, travel writer Ben Aitken decided to follow in the footsteps of his hero - literally - and started a journey around the UK, tracing the trip taken by Bill Bryon in his classic tribute to the British Isles, Notes from a Small Island. 
   
  Staying at the same hotels, ordering the same food, and even spending the same amount of time in the bath, Aitken's homage - updated and with a new preface for 2022 - is filled with wit, insight and humour. 
   
  'It would be wrong to view this book as just a highly accomplished homage to a personal hero. Aitken's politics, as much as his humour, are firmly in the spotlight, and Dear Bill Bryson achieves more than its title (possibly even its author) intended.' Manchester Review

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  The Western Xia Dynasty - The...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Western Xia Dynasty, founded by the Tangut people, emerged as a powerful and distinct kingdom in northwestern China during the 11th century. Its establishment marked the rise of a unique civilization that balanced influences from the Chinese, Tibetan, and Central Asian cultures while maintaining its own identity. The Tanguts, originally a nomadic group, gradually settled in the Ordos region and later expanded into the Hexi Corridor, an area of strategic importance due to its location along the Silk Road. 
  The dynasty was officially established in 1038 by Li Yuanhao, who declared himself emperor and adopted the title of the Great Xia. Li Yuanhao sought to solidify Tangut sovereignty by breaking free from the dominance of the Song Dynasty. To emphasize independence, he introduced significant reforms, including the creation of the Tangut script, a writing system distinct from Chinese characters, reinforcing cultural identity. Under his rule, Western Xia developed a centralized government, with administrative structures modeled in part after the Song system but adapted to suit Tangut traditions. 
  Expansion and military strength played crucial roles in the rise of the Western Xia. The Tanguts, skilled in cavalry warfare, built a formidable army that enabled them to challenge the Song Dynasty, the Liao Dynasty of the Khitans, and later, the Jin Dynasty of the Jurchens. Frequent conflicts with these neighboring states shaped Western Xia’s military strategies, leading to a highly fortified kingdom capable of defending its territory against multiple threats. While diplomacy was occasionally pursued, warfare was often the means through which the dynasty maintained its influence.

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  Thrilling Cities - Fourteen...

  Ian Fleming

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  A CAPTIVATING JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD FROM THE CREATOR OF JAMES BOND 
  Ian Fleming’s world travels and interests, as well as his journalism and wartime experiences, lent authority to everything he wrote. In 1959, the Sunday Times commissioned Fleming to write a series of dispatches from the world’s most beguiling locales. The result was Thrilling Cities, a masterpiece of well-observed travelogue that stands ably alongside the author’s Bond canon. 
  From Hong Kong to Honolulu, New York to Naples, he left the bright main streets for the back alleys, abandoning tourist sites in favor of underground haunts, and mingling with celebrities, gangsters and geishas. The result is a series of vivid snapshots of a mysterious, vanished world from a twentieth century Western perspective. 
  Just like his most famous fictional creation, Ian Fleming was a well-traveled man of the world who knew where to go to find excitement, adventure…and danger. In Thrilling Cities, he takes us along on a journey of international intrigue worthy of James Bond.

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