Other books that might interest you

• 

  Showa Era - Empire War and the...

  Rolf Hedger

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  The Showa Era began on December 25, 1926, with the ascension of Emperor Hirohito following the death of his father, Emperor Taisho. This period marked a critical turning point in Japan’s history, as the nation transitioned from the political turbulence of the Taisho democracy to a time of increasing militarism and nationalist sentiment. Although the early years of the Showa Era were characterized by economic struggles and political instability, they also set the stage for Japan’s dramatic expansion and eventual involvement in global conflict. 
  Emperor Hirohito’s rise to the throne was met with both hope and uncertainty. Many saw him as a symbol of continuity and strength, while others were concerned about the growing influence of the military in governmental affairs. Unlike his father, whose reign was defined by a parliamentary democracy, Hirohito’s early years as emperor witnessed the gradual erosion of democratic institutions. The shift toward a more authoritarian government was driven by widespread dissatisfaction with the parliamentary system and the belief that Japan needed strong leadership to navigate domestic and international challenges. 
  One of the most pressing issues Japan faced at the beginning of the Showa Era was economic instability. The global economy had already begun to weaken, and in 1929, the Wall Street Crash sent shockwaves through Japan’s financial system. The economic downturn led to mass unemployment, factory closures, and widespread poverty, exacerbating social tensions. Farmers, who made up a significant portion of Japan’s population, suffered greatly as the price of rice plummeted, leading to rural hardships that fueled growing resentment toward the government. In response, nationalist and ultraconservative factions gained popularity, advocating for territorial expansion as a means to secure resources and economic stability.

  Show book

• 

  Head On - A Memoir

  Larry Csonka

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Larry Csonka ran the football with audacity and authority. He lived his off-the-field life with equal abandon. As part of the NFL's 100th Anniversary, he and his undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins teammates were named the best team in NFL history. 
   
   
   
  In Head On, Csonka shares how they achieved their legendary Perfect Season. From quitting football at a young age, to his often-combative relationship with Coach Don Shula, to brazen exploits with his NFL pals, Csonka narrates a life that is colorful, unbridled, and thrilling. 
   
   
   
  Csonka found himself hanging out with Burt Reynolds, Dick Butkus, Lee Majors, Joe Namath, and Elvis Presley during his football years. But his moments outside the spotlight reveal the most about this larger-than-life figure—raising critters and a little hell in his formative years on an Ohio dirt farm, early run-ins with the law, confronting thieves with a sawed-off shotgun, taking sniper fire on a USO tour of Vietnam, and being adrift at night on the Bering Sea with gale-force winds raging. 
   
   
   
  Csonka's Head On is a captivating account of grit, grace, and gumption told by an iconic Hall of Famer who continues to gain ground—figuratively, literally, and unapologetically—every day.

  Show book

• 

  Walden

  Henry David Thoreau

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Walden is a book by American author Henry David Thoreau, first published in 1854. The book is a personal reflection on Thoreau's experience of living in a cabin he built himself on the shore of Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. 
  The book is divided into eighteen chapters, each detailing Thoreau's observations and musings on topics such as nature, solitude, simplicity, self-reliance, and the importance of living deliberately. Thoreau sought to live a simple, intentional life, in which he could cultivate his own thoughts and gain a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him. 
  Throughout the book, Thoreau also reflects on the value of nature, which he saw as a source of spiritual and intellectual inspiration. He describes the changing seasons, the wildlife around Walden Pond, and the rhythms of life in the natural world. 
  In addition to its philosophical themes, Walden is also a work of social and political criticism. Thoreau critiques the materialism and consumerism of his time, arguing that people are too often focused on acquiring wealth and possessions, rather than living a meaningful life. He also discusses issues such as slavery and the role of the individual in society. 
  Overall, Walden is a classic work of American literature that continues to inspire readers with its message of simplicity, self-reliance, and appreciation for the natural world.

  Show book

• 

  The Stars Will Still Be There

  Nicola Nuttall

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  'Heartbreaking and inspiring in equal measure. A must-read.' Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester 
  'Nicola is a beautiful human being and her story is full of the joys and sorrows of humanity.' Cathy Rentzenbrink 
  The inspiring, life-affirming memoir from Nicola Nuttall about her incredible daughter Laura  
  ‘The words were like a wave in the sea that lifted me off my feet, unmoored and scrabbling for something solid to hold me up, but the sand had fallen away, and I was adrift. The sea was vast, and I was lost and utterly numb.’ 
  When Nicola Nuttall was told that her 18-year-old daughter Laura had only 12 months to live, following a diagnosis of the most aggressive form of brain cancer, glioblastoma multiforme, it was her greatest fear come true. But while her mother struggled to adjust and searched for new treatments, Laura decided to embark on an extraordinary bucket list. Meeting Michelle Obama, piloting a Royal Navy ship, skydiving and graduating from university were just some of Laura’s many incredible adventures. 
  The Stars Will Still Be There is Nicola’s beautiful account of helping her daughter make the most of her remaining time, reminding us all to live life to the fullest and ‘Be More Laura’ every single day. 
  In this heart-wrenching autobiography, Nicola Nuttall navigates the tumultuous waters of grief and bereavement, painting a vivid picture of motherhood in the face of death. Her narrative, steeped in the raw emotions of a medical tragedy, is a testament to the unbreakable bonds of family and the resilience of the human spirit. 
  For fans of Maggie Hartley (Please Help My Mummy), and Rachel Clarke (Your Life In My Hands). 
  HarperCollins 2024

  Show book

• 

  Boyhood with Gurdjieff

  Fritz Peters

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  “On a par with Alice in Wonderland, a real treasure of our literature… Full of wisdom, the wisdom of life.” – Henry Miller, author of Tropic of Cancer 
  When Fritz first arrived at Gurdjieff’s Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man, the mystic asked the boy what he wanted to learn. Fritz replied, "I want to know everything. Everything about man. I think it is called psychology or maybe philosophy." Gurdjieff answered with a sigh, "Your answer makes life difficult for me. I am the only one who teaches what you ask. You make more work for me." 
  Thus, Fritz became perhaps the most intimate student of this controversial teacher, but Gurdjieff was more than just a guru to Fritz. He was a father figure whose influence Peters never shook, and always struggled to integrate. This stunning memoir covering Peters' first years at the Institute retains a child's naive perspective while offering photorealistic recall of Gurdjieff, the workings of his intentional community, and the eccentric characters who lived there. 
  Read by actor Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild, Lords of Dogtown, Walden), this audiobook is a lively way to enjoy the classic memoir. 
  Piano solo of “Women’s Waltz,” composed by G. I. Gurdjieff and Thomas De Hartmann, played by Martín Dalesson.

  Show book

• 

  Literature for the People - How...

  Sarah Harkness

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Read by the author, Sarah Harkness.From an impoverished childhood in the Scottish highlands to Victorian London, this is the inspiring story of brothers Daniel and Alexander Macmillan who built a publishing empire - and brought Alice in Wonderland to the world. Their remarkable achievements are revealed in this entertaining, superbly researched biography.Daniel and Alexander arrived in London in the 1830s at a crucial moment of social change. These two idealistic brothers, working-class sons of a Scottish crofter, went on to set up a publishing house that spread radical ideas on equality, science and education across the world. They also brought authors like Lewis Carroll, Thomas Hardy and Charles Kingsley, and poets like Matthew Arnold and Christina Rossetti, to a mass audience. No longer would books be just for the upper classes.In Literature for the People Sarah Harkness brings to life these two warm-hearted men. Daniel was driven by the knowledge that he was living on borrowed time, his body was ravaged by tuberculosis. Alexander took on responsibility for the company as well as Daniel’s family and turned a small business into an international powerhouse. He cultivated the literary greats of the time, weathered controversy and tragedy, and fostered a dynasty that would include future prime minister Harold Macmillan.Including fascinating insights about the great, the good and the sometimes wayward writers of the Victorian era, with feuds, friendships and passionate debate, this vibrant book is bursting with all the energy of that exciting period in history.

  Show book