Other books that might interest you

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  Heian Period - The Golden Age of...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Heian Period, spanning from 794 to 1185 CE, marks one of the most culturally rich and politically significant eras in Japanese history. This chapter lays the groundwork for understanding the historical context, political dynamics, and societal structure that defined the early stages of the Heian era. The period officially began when Emperor Kanmu moved the imperial capital from Nara to Heian-kyō, present-day Kyoto. This relocation was intended to establish a new seat of power free from the influence of powerful Buddhist monasteries that had grown too entwined with politics in Nara. 
  The move to Heian-kyō signified more than a change in geography—it was the beginning of a new political and cultural identity. The city was meticulously planned, modeled after the Chinese capital of Chang’an, with a grid-like structure that reflected a vision of order and centralized authority. However, over time, the influence of the emperor waned as powerful aristocratic families, particularly the Fujiwara clan, rose to prominence. By marrying their daughters into the imperial family and acting as regents, the Fujiwara effectively controlled the court, shaping policy and governance from behind the scenes. 
  The political landscape of early Heian Japan was one of ceremonial grandeur and subtle manipulation. Real power resided in the hands of a few elite families, and the imperial court became increasingly detached from the provinces. This created a division between the cultured, refined life of the capital and the often turbulent realities of rural Japan, where local warrior clans began to assert their own authority.

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  People Pleaser - Breaking Free...

  Jinger Vuolo, Julie Lyles Carr

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  Read by the author.  
  Are you a people pleaser? Can you even begin to measure how the approval of others has shaped your heart and mind? Your faith and relationships? Your habits and identity? In People Pleaser, New York Times bestselling author Jinger Vuolo shares her personal journey of constantly seeking approval from others and how she found her true identity. 
  From childhood to early adulthood, Jinger Duggar Vuolo followed the expectations of others, never taking the time to discover who she truly was. It wasn't until she asked herself the question, "Who am I?" that she realized she was a people pleaser. This realization led her on a journey of self-discovery and ultimately, to rely on God for her approval and sense of self-worth. 
  Through her faith and reliance on God, Jinger began to break free from the need for approval and discover true freedom. This book is a guide for anyone struggling with people-pleasing tendencies and seeking to find their true identity and purpose in life. Learn how to:discover the beauty of community and how we were made to enjoy others,identify sin and how it can hinder your ability to be in community with one another,diagnose yourself with ruthless honesty but without judgement, andunderstand who you are in God's eyes. 
    
  Jinger hopes this book will inspire others to embark on a similar journey towards freedom.

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  Overture of Nature's Blissful...

  Selena Brooke

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  Discover a journey of tranquility and rejuvenation with Overture of Nature's Blissful Meadow Tunes Mixed with Ambient Tones for Deep Calm & Meditation. This audiobook invites you to explore holistic well-being and embrace a stress-free lifestyle through the transformative power of mindfulness and natural healing. 
  Immerse yourself in a peaceful experience designed to promote inner peace and balance. The carefully curated content helps you to relax and unwind, offering essential techniques for stress relief and calmness. Whether you're a seasoned meditator or just beginning your journey, this audiobook provides valuable insights into achieving a serene state of mind. 
  Using enhanced 8D audio, this experience elevates your meditation practice, allowing for positive energy realignment and complete mind-body healing. Each session guides you through rejuvenation practices that foster mental clarity and emotional stability, encouraging a deeper connection with yourself. 
  Ideal for anyone seeking to enhance their wellness routine, this audiobook serves as a comprehensive resource for those striving for tranquility and harmony in their lives. Experience the profound effects of nature-inspired meditation techniques that can help you achieve your goals for relaxation, stress management, and overall well-being. 
  Begin your path toward self-discovery and healing today. With Overture of Nature's Blissful Meadow Tunes, you will unlock the secrets to achieving a healthier, happier, and more peaceful life. Embrace the journey to calm and renewal—your mind and body will thank you!

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  How Documentaries Went...

  Nora Stone

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  Since the 1960s, documentary films have moved closer to the mainstream, thanks to the popularity of rockumentaries, association with the independent film movement, support from public and cable television, and the rise of streaming video services. Documentary films have become reliable earners at the US box office and ubiquitous on streaming platforms, while historically they existed on the margins of mainstream media. 
   
   
   
  The growing commercialization of documentary film has not gone unnoticed, but it has not been sufficiently explained. Streaming and the growing interest in reality TV are usually offered as explanations whenever a documentary enters the cultural conversation or breaks a box-office record, but neither of those causes grapple with the overlapping causal mechanisms that commercialized documentary film. How Documentaries Went Mainstream provides a more comprehensive and meaningful periodization of the commercialization of documentary film. Although the commercial ascension of documentary films might seem meteoric, it is the culmination of decades-long efforts that have developed and fortified the audience for documentary features. Author Nora Stone refines rough explanations of these efforts through a robust history of the market for documentary films, using knowledge of film economics and the norms of industry discourse to tell a richer story.

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  Nadja

  André Breton

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  In Paris, during the fall of 1926, André Breton met a young woman from the provinces who called herself Nadja because, she said, "in Russian it's the beginning of the word for hope, and because it's only the beginning." Their love affair was brief, intense, and intensely self-conscious. They both talked exuberantly of the book that Breton would make out of their days and nights. And indeed a year later (after Nadja was institutionalized and Breton had moved on to other love affairs) he began to write Nadja—a book of memory and analysis taking its cue in part from Freud's case studies, but also a book of ingeniously intercut images, drawing on Surrealist ideas to portray a soul whose very way of being approaches, in Breton's words, "the extreme limit of the Surrealist aspiration."In this, the first new translation of Nadja in more than sixty years, Mark Polizzotti captures the youthful excitement, the abiding strangeness, and above all the freshness of Breton's prose. He also provides an illuminating introduction about the fate of the real Nadja, whose identity remained jealously guarded until the twenty-first century. A gripping tale of infatuation and a meditation on the surrealism of everyday life, Nadja is still a thing of convulsive beauty, impossible to pin or put down, a precursor to works of Julien Gracq, Julio Cortázar, and W. G. Sebald.

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  How to Tell a Story: 7 Easy...

  Jaiden Pemton

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  Are you ready to dive into the world of storytelling, but don’t know where to start?  
  Do you feel unclear about how to distinguish and use the elements of the storytelling process? 
  Are you still on the search to tell stories that will stick out to your audience, and have a lasting impact that will be passed on for years to come? 
    
  How to Tell a Story is the guide you need! We will teach you how to tell a story in 7 easy steps. This guide is designed to provide you with all the tools you need in a concise, easy to understand format that will answer all your burning questions and get you on your way to successful storytelling. 
    
  To be a successful storyteller, you have to draw your audience in immediately and keep them engaged throughout the entirety of the story. As the story reaches its end and the conflict has been resolved, you must provide a sense of satisfaction for your audience, as well as a message they can hold onto going forward. 
    
  YOU’LL LEARN:Logistics of each element of storytelling (character development, plot development, setting, point of view, theme, conflict)Common storytelling mistakes to avoidBrainstorming exercises to help you choose a story angleHow to create an emotional experience How to develop a positive story outcomeHow to create a shining moment which will stick with your audienceAnd so much more!  
    
  Whether you're just starting on the journey of storytelling and need to develop a clearer understanding of the elements, or have been at it for a while and are looking for fresh perspectives and tips for further develop how you tell stories, this guide is the companion you need. Let’s get started! 
   

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