Other books that might interest you

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  Philippines - Culture Smart! -...

  Graham Colin-Jones, Jorge...

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  Don't just see the sights—get to know the people.The Philippines may appear to be one of the most Westernized countries in Asia. However, the realities of Filipino life are complex; the façade of the English language does not run deep.Philippines – Culture Smart! gives you the inside story of this unique and attractive country and unpacks the daily lives of its inhabitants. An explanation of the values, attitudes, and customs of the Filipinos today opens the way to a more meaningful experience, while an abundance of practical information on socializing, working, shopping, and communicating will help to make it a more enjoyable experience, too.Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.

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  Meiji Era - Modernization...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Tokugawa Shogunate, which had ruled Japan for over two centuries, faced a gradual but inevitable decline in the mid-19th century. Although the regime had maintained stability and peace through strict social hierarchy and isolationist policies, internal weaknesses and external pressures ultimately led to its downfall. The combination of economic struggles, social unrest, and increasing foreign intervention exposed the shogunate’s vulnerabilities, setting the stage for a dramatic political transformation. 
  One of the major factors behind the decline was Japan’s rigid economic system. The Tokugawa rulers relied heavily on a feudal structure in which the daimyo, or regional lords, maintained their own domains under the authority of the shogun. However, the economy began to shift from an agrarian-based system to one influenced by commerce and trade. The samurai class, who traditionally depended on fixed stipends from their lords, found themselves in financial hardship as inflation and economic instability grew. Meanwhile, wealthy merchants gained power, disrupting the established social order and creating tensions between classes. 
  In addition to economic issues, political dissatisfaction increased within Japan. Many daimyo and samurai resented the centralized control of the shogunate, believing it had become ineffective in governing the country. Corruption and inefficiency within the government further weakened public trust. While some reform-minded leaders proposed changes, the rigid nature of the Tokugawa system made meaningful reform difficult to achieve. This frustration contributed to the rise of movements advocating for a return to imperial rule under Emperor Meiji.

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  You and Me - Travel...

  Michael S. Ryan, Kristen Herrington

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  A fully immersive audiobook featuring original music and sound effects, “You and Me” is a laugh-out-loud compilation of travel stories written and narrated by husband and wife creatives, Michael S. Ryan and Kristen Herrington. From the textured rainforest of Costa Rica to the streets of Bangkok, this book is about the journey of falling in love, at times beautifully evocative and at others wildly amusing. The authors give tips for wary travellers, and show quite definitely how wandering down the street following your nose is better than following the guidebook every time. Ryan and Herrington are true adventurers unafraid of diving right into the spontaneity of the moment. They don their back packs to hike a volcano in flip-flops, sprint through airports, encounter foreign drug dealers and take you places you’ve never imagined. This book is a perfect fit for readers who want to learn the art of people-watching and get out of resorts and into the busy marketplace. It is a gem for anyone planning their first trip overseas or simply wanting to escape into the myriad of destinations without leaving their armchair.

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  The Fall of Rome - The Birth of...

  Harris Ropes

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  At its height, the Roman Empire stood as one of the most powerful and influential civilizations in history. Spanning continents, from the windswept moors of Britain to the deserts of Egypt, Rome’s reach seemed boundless. The strength of the empire lay not only in its vast military conquests but in the complexity and efficiency of its administrative systems. Roman law, engineering, and political structure provided a level of organization that allowed a diverse collection of peoples and cultures to function under a single imperial banner. The Pax Romana, a period of relative peace lasting over two centuries, demonstrated Rome’s ability to maintain stability across its vast territories. 
  Roman culture was a dynamic blend of traditions inherited from earlier civilizations and innovations of its own. Latin served as the unifying language, enabling administration and communication across the empire. The arts flourished, with literature, sculpture, and architecture reaching impressive heights. From the poetry of Virgil and Ovid to the engineering marvels of aqueducts and roads, Roman achievements stood as symbols of sophistication. The grandeur of public spaces like the Colosseum and the Roman Forum reflected the empire’s emphasis on civic life and the power of the state. 
  Governance played a key role in the success of Rome. A highly structured bureaucracy allowed the empire to manage its provinces effectively, while a legal system based on Roman law continued to influence Western societies long after the empire’s decline. Though emperors held supreme power, the Senate, magistrates, and various local officials contributed to a layered political system that managed both urban centers and rural territories. Roman citizenship, which could be extended to people across the empire, fostered a sense of unity and shared identity among diverse populations.

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  Perth - A Comprehensive Guide...

  John Hulbert

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  Former Provost, Dr John Hulbert, presents locals and visitors alike with a comprehensive guide to Scotland's newest city, Perth.
  
  
  
  Originally the capital of Scotland, Hulbert examines Perth's development as a major settlement in Scotland through to the present day.
  
  
  
  Closely examining each area of Perth, complete with pictures and maps throughout, Hulbert guides readers around the city, and looks at the history and the people that have contributed to Perth's success.

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  Vegas - A Memoir of a Dark Season

  John Gregory Dunne, Stephanie...

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  "In the summer of my nervous breakdown, I went to live in Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada." So begins John Gregory Dunne's neglected classic of first-person writing, a mordant, deadpan, grotesque tale that blurs the line between autobiography and fiction, confession and reportage. 
   
   
   
  Panicked by his own mortality, despondent over his many failings as a writer and a man, Dunne leaves his wife and their three-year old child for the solitude of a crummy apartment off the Vegas Strip. There he plans to write an account of the city as he finds it; the book he ends up writing is "a fiction which recalls time both real and imagined." The remarkable central characters are Artha, a student at cosmetology college by day, a sex worker by night; Buster Mano, a private detective whose specialty is tracking down errant husbands; and Jackie Kasey, a lounge comic who opens for Elvis at $10,000 a night and wonders why he is still only a "semi-name." Pimps, bail bondsmen, parking-lot moguls, used-car tycoons, ex-jockeys, and women who look as if they had "spent a lifetime meeting guys in Vegas or Miami Beach or Louisville for the Derby": these are the people who wander through the lives of Artha, Buster, and Jackie—and, for a dark season, the life of the narrator. 
   
   
   
  Contains mature themes.

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