Other books that might interest you

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  The Hollow Crown - Shakespeare...

  Eliot A. Cohen

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  What Shakespeare's plays can teach us about modern-day politics 
   
   
   
  William Shakespeare understood power: what it is, how it works, how it is gained, and how it is lost. 
   
   
   
  In The Hollow Crown, Eliot A. Cohen reveals how the battling princes of Henry IV and scheming senators of Julius Caesar can teach us to better understand power and politics today. The White House, after all, is a court—with intrigue and conflict rivaling those on the Globe's stage—as is an army, a business, or a university. And each court is full of driven characters, in all their ambition, cruelty, and humanity. Henry V's inspiring speeches reframe John F. Kennedy's appeal, Richard III's wantonness illuminates Vladimir Putin's brutality, and The Tempest's grace offers a window into the presidency of George Washington. 
   
   
   
  An original and incisive perspective, The Hollow Crown shows how Shakespeare's works transform our understanding of the leaders who, for good or ill, make and rule our world.

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  Woven Tapestry - Art and Practice

  Louise Martin, Ros Bryant

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  Woven Tapestry is an in-depth practical guide to the technique of this unique art form, and to finding creative expression within it.
  Progressive exercises based on the authors' combined 50 years' experience are used to explain technique from making a first sample through to finished pieces. These are illustrated by over 400 specially woven samples and diagrams. The underlying principles are outlined and applied in a contemporary and creative way. Full-page images illustrate the qualities of line, colour, pattern and texture unique to woven tapestry, and the rich and exciting range of yarns available. Exercises in making and interpreting designs guide the developing weaver towards making individually creative work. Woven Tapestry offers the reader the technical skills and understanding needed to make expressive and beautiful work of their own. By working with several weft threads simultaneously, tapestry weaving becomes highly nuanced and is capable of complex imagery. Exercises in design show how to make use of the unique qualities that woven tapestry has to offer. The initial techniques are fundamentally simple and are clearly explained using only basic equipment and readily available yarns. The reader is encouraged to take time in learning, and to look closely whilst working. The continuous slow under over rhythm of weft passing through warp can promote a mental space in which to think and feel more deeply, and ultimately to create.
  Right from the first exercise there are creative choices to be made. By progressing to more advanced techniques, and working with many types and combinations of yarns, the expressive freedom available to the developing weaver soon becomes endless.

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  The Downhome Sound - Diversity...

  Mandi Bates Bailey, Guy Davis

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  American roots music, also known as Americana music, can be challenging to categorize, spanning the genres of jazz, bluegrass, country, blues, rock and roll, and an assortment of variations in between. In The Downhome Sound, Mandi Bates Bailey explores the messages, artists, community, and appeal of this seemingly disparate musical collective. To understand the art form's intended meanings and typical audiences, she analyzes lyrics and interviews Americana artists, journalists, and festival organizers to uncover a desire for inclusion and diversity. Bailey also conducts an experiment to assess listener reception relative to more commercial forms of music. The result is an in-depth study of the political and cultural influence of Americana and its implications for social justice.

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  Interior Paint Finishes and Effects

  Stewart McDonald

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  This practical book explains how to achieve amazing faux finishes and effects that are the foundations to decorative painting. Sharing the tricks of his trade, Stewart McDonald shows you how to transform any ordinary surface into an extraordinary masterpiece. With step-by-step sequences, he explains traditional, as well as contemporary techniques and finishes, which will inspire both beginners and seasoned professionals.

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  Imperial Chinese Foundations -...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The story of China's imperial unification represents one of history's most consequential political transformations. "Imperial Chinese Foundations: Uniting the Land" explores the three dynasties that forged China's imperial system—a political structure that would endure for over two millennia. 
  The brief but revolutionary Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) ended centuries of warring states by conquering all rivals under the leadership of the First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Through military might, standardized writing, currency, measurements, and a unified legal code, the Qin created China's first centralized bureaucratic empire—though their harsh Legalist policies triggered rebellion after the emperor's death. 
  The Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE-9 CE) consolidated imperial rule through a more pragmatic blend of Confucian ideology and centralized governance. Under Emperor Wu's dynamic leadership, the Han expanded Chinese territory, opened the Silk Road, established the civil service examination system, and created cultural and political institutions that would define Chinese civilization for millennia. 
  As power shifted to the Eastern Han (25-220 CE), the dynasty initially flourished before facing mounting challenges from natural disasters, court intrigues, and the Yellow Turban Rebellion. Yet even as political cohesion weakened, this period saw remarkable innovations—including paper, the seismograph, and advances in mathematics and medicine—while Buddhism began its profound influence on Chinese civilization. 
  Through examining these three foundational dynasties, we witness the birth and evolution of the imperial Chinese state that would serve as a template for governance across East Asia and continue to influence Chinese identity into the modern era.

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  Conquest Marches On - A Norman...

  Mr Punch

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  Set during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, where every story promises a 'Thousand Thrills!', with ingenious plots, full of twists and surprises, driven along with exciting action and tongue in cheek humour. 
    
  Norman Conquest is off to the theatre, when our fast talking, hard hitting adventurer finds himself accused of assaulting a pretty young lady on the underground.  It’s only when our hero “1066” discovers that the young lady is the victim of a mysterious blackmailer known as “The Voice”, that he marches into yet another hell-for-leather action packed adventure in search of the baddies. 
    
    
  “It is pure 1930s, when the hero did say to the villain: "Good grief! You're a cold blooded killer!" and the heroine did affectionately call her hero "a cockeyed chump!" To all concerned “Jolly good show, chaps.”  The Times 
    
  “Christopher Cazenove seems to relish his role as Norman Conquest, a hero about who dashing is the least that could be said! Atmospheric and great fun for those who prefer older-style detectives.”  Daily Express  
    
    
  Also available as part of the THRILLER PLAYHOUSE BOX SET, eight episodes featuring Max Carrados, Norman Conquest and Ben from the popular BBC Drama series.  
    
    
  Cast 
  Christopher Cazenove as Norman Conquest 
  Bonnie Langford as Pixie 
  Richard Davies as Chief Inspector Williams 
  Colin Spaull as Mandeville Livingstone.    
  Jack Klaff as “The Voice” 
  Hetty Baynes as Mary Langford 
  Gavin Muir as Mr Chester 
  Steve Hodson as Walt 
  Richard Tate as Beetle 
  & full supporting cast

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