Other books that might interest you

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  The Ancient Shore - Dispatches...

  Shirley Hazzard, Francis...

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  Born in Australia, Shirley Hazzard first moved to Naples as a young woman in the 1950s to take up a job with the United Nations. It was the beginning of a long love affair with the city. The Ancient Shore collects the best of Hazzard’s writings on Naples, along with a classic New Yorker essay by her late husband, Francis Steegmuller. For the pair, both insatiable readers, the Naples of Pliny, Gibbon, and Auden is constantly alive to them in the present.With Hazzard as our guide, we encounter Henry James, Oscar Wilde, and of course Goethe, but Hazzard’s concern is primarily with the Naples of our own time—often violently unforgiving to innocent tourists, but able to transport the visitor who attends patiently to its rhythms and history. A town shadowed by both the symbol and the reality of Vesuvius can never fail to acknowledge the essential precariousness of life—nor, as the lover of Naples discovers, the human compassion, generosity, and friendship that are necessary to sustain it.Beautifully illustrated by photographs from such masters as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Herbert List, The Ancient Shore is a lyrical letter to a lifelong love: honest and clear-eyed, yet still fervently, endlessly enchanted.“Much larger than all its parts, this book does full justice to a place, and a time, where ‘nothing was pristine, except the light.’”—Bookforum“Deep in the spell of Italy, Hazzard parses the difference between visiting and living and working in a foreign country. She writes with enormous eloquence and passion of the beauty of getting lost in a place.”—Susan Slater Reynolds, Los Angeles Times“The two voices join in exquisite harmony. . . . A lovely book.”—Booklist, starred review

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  The Rise and Fall of Brazil's...

  Anya Solace

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  Brazil’s industrial foundations were shaped by its colonial past, rich natural resources, and evolving economic policies. The country’s transition from an agrarian economy to an industrial powerhouse was a long and complex process influenced by global trade dynamics, government intervention, and social changes. Understanding these foundations provides insight into the rise and fall of Brazil’s economic giants. 
  The origins of Brazil’s economy date back to the colonial period under Portuguese rule. Initially, the country’s economic activities were centered around agriculture, particularly the production of sugarcane, which became the backbone of Brazil’s early commerce. The Portuguese established large sugar plantations, or engenhos, along the northeastern coast, relying heavily on enslaved labor from Africa. This agricultural-based economy set the stage for Brazil’s role as a key exporter of raw materials, a trend that would persist for centuries. As global demand for sugar declined in the 17th and 18th centuries, Brazil’s economy diversified into gold mining, particularly in the state of Minas Gerais. The discovery of gold and diamonds attracted European settlers and boosted trade, but much of the wealth was extracted by the Portuguese crown, limiting local reinvestment. The reliance on commodity exports, without substantial industrial development, created a pattern that continued into modern times. 
  Brazil’s shift toward industrialization began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, spurred by the decline of slavery, urbanization, and increasing foreign investment. The abolition of slavery in 1888 led to significant demographic changes, with many freed individuals moving to urban centers in search of work. Around the same time, European immigrants arrived in large numbers, bringing skills that contributed to Brazil’s growing workforce. The coffee boom of the late 19th century played a crucial role in financing Brazil’s early industries.

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  West Highlands - The Lonely Lands

  Tom Atkinson

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  Inveraray, Oban, Kintyre, Glencoe, Loch Awe, Loch Lomond, Appin, Islay - all the glories of Argyll are described in this book. From Dumbarton to Campletown and north to Loch Etive there is a great wealth of beauty unmatched in Scotland. It is a quiet and lonely land, a land still unspoiled, a land of history and legend, a land of unsurpassed glory. Tom Atkinson describes it all, writing with deep insight into the land he loves. There could be no better guide to its beauties and history. Once Atkinson has taken you there, these lands can never feel lonely.

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  Egyptian Dynasties - The...

  Omar Khalil

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  The Early Dynastic Period marks the beginning of ancient Egyptian civilization, a time when the foundations of one of history’s most remarkable cultures were laid. Spanning approximately from 3100 to 2686 BCE, this period is characterized by the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under a single ruler, leading to the establishment of the first dynasties and the concept of pharaonic rule. 
  The unification of Upper and Lower Egypt is often attributed to King Narmer, a powerful ruler who is believed to have brought the two regions together. The famous Narmer Palette, an ancient ceremonial artifact, depicts Narmer wearing the crowns of both Upper and Lower Egypt, symbolizing his authority over the unified land. This pivotal moment not only marked the creation of a centralized state but also set the stage for the development of a dynastic tradition that would persist for millennia. The consolidation of power allowed the pharaohs to wield significant control over the land, fostering political stability and cultural coherence. 
  The role of Narmer and the early pharaohs was instrumental in shaping the governance and societal structure of ancient Egypt. As divine rulers, these early kings were seen as earthly embodiments of the gods, responsible for maintaining ma'at, the concept of cosmic order and balance. This religious authority legitimized their political power and reinforced their role as mediators between the divine and mortal worlds. During this period, the pharaohs established court systems, oversaw the construction of monumental architecture, and promoted the development of writing, which became crucial for record-keeping and administration.

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  Samurai of Ancient Japan -...

  Kelly Mass

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  What did the samurai in Japan do? How did they begin? And what was so typical or different about them? 
  These and many other questions will be answered in this quick guide that will cover all the basics of the famous samurai warriors in ancient Japan. You will learn about shoguns, bushido, the Meiji time period, ronin warriors, the Genpei war in 1180, the Kamakura period, the infamous suicide methods for honor (hara-kiri), and much, much more.

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  History of Thailand - Ayutthaya...

  History Retold

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  Do you want to learn more about the fascinating history of Thailand and the land of Siam? Look no further than this comprehensive and informative book. 
  Through this book, you will discover the rich and vibrant history of the land of Siam. You will learn about the many kings and rulers who reigned over this land, the wars fought, and the culture and traditions that have been carried down through the centuries. 
  You will explore the various religions, superstitions, and folklore that make up the unique culture of Thailand. 
  This book is an indispensable source of knowledge and understanding, and perfect for anyone interested in the history of Thailand and the land of Siam. 

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