Other books that might interest you

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  The Han Dynasty - Golden Age of...

  Jun Liu

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  The Han Dynasty, one of the most influential periods in Chinese history, emerged from the collapse of the Qin Dynasty in 206 BCE. After years of harsh rule under Qin Shi Huang, widespread unrest and rebellion led to the fall of the Qin. In the power vacuum that followed, Liu Bang, a commoner-turned-military leader, rose to prominence and ultimately established the Han Dynasty. His leadership and political acumen laid the foundation for a dynasty that would last over four centuries, shaping China’s governance, culture, and identity. 
  Liu Bang, later known as Emperor Gaozu, was originally a minor official under the Qin. Unlike his aristocratic rivals, he came from humble origins, making him a unique figure in Chinese history. As the Qin administration crumbled due to heavy taxation and forced labor policies, numerous factions vied for control. The most significant of these was the Chu-Han Contention, a prolonged struggle between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, a powerful general of noble descent. Liu Bang, known for his ability to rally support from various social classes, ultimately defeated Xiang Yu at the Battle of Gaixia in 202 BCE. This victory marked the official beginning of the Han Dynasty, with Liu Bang declaring himself emperor. 
  Once in power, Liu Bang sought to distance his rule from the harsh legalist policies of the Qin. He adopted a more lenient and pragmatic approach, blending Confucian ideals with centralized governance. Although he retained elements of Qin’s bureaucratic structure, he reduced the severity of laws and punishments, earning the trust of the people. To ensure stability, he granted land and titles to his loyal followers, creating a semi-feudal system that allowed regional kings to govern under the central authority of the emperor. This balance between centralization and decentralization was a defining characteristic of early Han rule.

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  Tides and Timezones

  Reece Davis

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  Between the pull of the tides and the drift of the clock lies the rhythm of a traveler’s life. 
  In Tides and Timezones, acclaimed travel writer Reece Davis explores how constant movement changes not only where we are — but who we become. From sleepless nights beneath foreign skies to quiet dawns spent in transit, Davis reflects on how time stretches and bends across continents, and how memory anchors us when everything else is in motion. 
  Through poignant stories, vivid landscapes, and moments of stillness amid the rush, Davis examines what it means to carry fragments of the world within us — and how, over time, travel becomes less about escape and more about return. 
  Elegant, meditative, and profoundly human, Tides and Timezones is a love letter to the fleeting, timeless art of wandering.

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  Wild Peaks: A Journey on Foot...

  Tom Chesshyre

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  A journey through Britain’s first National Park on its 75th anniversary 
  On a spring day in 1932, 400 disgruntled ramblers embarked on a 'mass trespass' of Kinder Scout, a plateau in the Peak District in northern England. Their aim? To establish a right to roam across the rugged landscape, against the wishes of wealthy landowners. 
  The hikers were seeking respite from the smoky industrial centres of Manchester and Sheffield – and eventually they got what they wanted. In 1951, the Peak District was established as Britain’s first national park. Home to striking dragon-back ridges of rock, vast expanses of peat, farms and villages, cloughs and caverns, the Peak is much more than the 'howling wilderness' described by Daniel Defoe three centuries ago. 
  With the 75th anniversary of the park’s creation looming, how has this dramatic landscape fared since? Celebrated travel writer Tom Chesshyre hit the trails on a 363-mile ramble to find out – and to celebrate this symbolic home of hiking. 
  Wild Peaks follows winding paths, pausing at old inns and mountain huts, and along the way meeting a rich cast of landowners, farmers, historians, mountaineers, publicans, rangers, right-to-roamers, homeless travellers, mountain rescue members, mystics, dreamers and fellow hikers. 
  Don your cagoule, grab a compass, and join Tom as he explores how the land has changed, and how we have too. 
  For fans of Monisha Rajesh (Around India in 80 Trains), Ben Aitken (A Chip Shop in Poznan), Mark Gregory Probert (Journey through Wales), James Anthony (The Slow Road to Deadhorse), and Michael Williams (The Future of Quality News Journalism).

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  Project Blue Book: The History...

  Editors Charles River

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  Most everyone in America is familiar with theories about UFOs, or “flying saucers” as they were often called then, but even this name dates back only to 1947. Before that time, they were called “ghost rockets” or “ghost airplanes” or “ghost airships.” Before the age of flight, the flying objects were called various things such as “flying chariots.” No matter what terminology is used, every generation has clearly had its own belief that mankind is not alone. 
  The various flying saucer sightings got the attention of the governments of the United States and other nations. The world was gripped in a Cold War, and some officials wondered if the UFOs might be experimental craft from some hostile power, most likely the Soviet Union. The American government in particular wanted to investigate the phenomenon to find out if this might be the case, as well as to calm public fears over what was appearing in the skies. Another motivation was to quash all the calls flooding into Air Force bases and police stations. Communications were limited in the mid-20th century, and every wave of sightings clogged up communication lines that might have been needed to defend against more terrestrial security threats. 
  In 1952, the federal government implemented the now notorious Project Blue Book, which purportedly took UFO sightings much more seriously and was actually given the funds to properly investigate some of the more promising sightings. Instead of following Project Grudge’s recommendation that “the investigation and study of reports of unidentified flying objects be reduced in scope,” this secret study amassed a huge amount of data, and what followed was a tangled web of government agencies and caseloads that, despite being since declassified, continue to confuse researchers.

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  The Other Side of the Tiber -...

  Wallis Wilde-Menozzi

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  A moving and illuminating memoir about a singular woman's relationship with a fascinating and complex countryA fresh, nuanced perspective on a profoundly perplexing country: this is what Wallis Wilde-Menozzi's unique, captivating narrative promises—and delivers.The Other Side of the Tiber brings Italy to life in an entirely new way, treating the peninsula as a series of distinct places, subjects, histories, and geographies bound together by a shared sense of life. A multifaceted image of Italy emerges—in beautiful black-and-white photographs, many taken by Wilde-Menozzi herself—as does a portrait of the author. Wilde-Menozzi, who has written about Italy for nearly forty years, offers unexpected conclusions about one of the most complex and best-loved countries in the world.     Beginning her story with a hitchhiking trip to Rome when she was a student in England, she illuminates a passionate, creative, and vocal people who are often confined to stereotypes. Earthquakes and volcanoes; a hundred-year-old man; Siena as a walled city; Keats in Rome; the refugee camp of Manduria; the Slow Food movement; realism in Caravaggio; the concept of good and evil; Mary the Madonna as a subject—from these varied angles, Wilde-Menozzi traces a society skeptical about competition and tolerant of contradiction. Bringing them together in the present, she suggests the compensations of the Italians' long view of time. Like the country, this book will inspire discussion and revisiting.

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  HowExpert Guide to Eugene Oregon...

  HowExpert, Kristy Johnson

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  Known as “Track Town USA,” “The Emerald Valley,” or “Nike Town,” Eugene is the second-largest city in Oregon. Home to the Summer Olympic Trials and many other exciting outdoor events, this area is a hidden gem. 
  In this travel guide, you can learn everything you need to know for an exciting and wonderful vacation to this centrally located destination. We say ‘centrally located’ because Eugene is only an hour from the mountains to the East (the Cascade Range) or the Oregon Coast to the West (the town of Florence, Oregon)! 
  The book offers seven chapters of expert, native perspectives in different areas such as: 
  – Chapter 1: History of Eugene. An overview of the area, the people, and the culture that has shaped the city. 
  – Chapter 2: All about outdoor recreation, in Eugene, the Oregon Coast, and in the Cascade Mountains! From rock-climbing to sand surfing on the dunes to soaking in the natural hot springs – there’s something for everyone! 
  – Chapter 3: Focuses on the indoor activities available in all three of these wonderful areas. 
  – Chapter 4 - Looks at Hotels, B&B’s, and other lodging accommodations in all three areas, from the boutique hotels of Eugene to the rustic lodges of the mountains. 
  – Chapter 5: Dining! From casual food carts to five-star restaurants, this chapter has just the local food seen in Eugene covered! 
  – Chapter 6: Dining outside of Eugene - Either at the coast or going up to the Mountains, this chapter is full of dining delights not located in Eugene! 
  – Chapter 7: Beer, Wine, Drinks, and Dance Clubs in Eugene. This chapter has a comprehensive list of everywhere to go in the Eugene area to get your drink, dance, or simply enjoy some of the craft brews the area is known for! 
  Check out HowExpert Guide to Eugene, Oregon, to learn the history, discover the best places to visit, eat great food, and have fun exploring Eugene, Oregon!

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