Other books that might interest you

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  The Folk Tales of the Chupacabra...

  Editors Charles River

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  People have always been fascinated with the hidden, the mysterious, and the unexplained. Every society has its tall tales and ghost stories, its odd legends, and heroes. Also, every society has its stories of strange beasts, dangerous or benign, that live in the twilight world between the everyday and the legendary. Through most of history, people have been closely tied to nature, hunting in forests and having an intimate knowledge of the animals in their regions.  Even as the world becomes more connected, the belief in strange creatures is as strong as ever. 
  In one sense it shouldn’t be surprising that people across the United States have reported seeing weird cryptids, including giant birds, sea serpents, wolfmen, and a creature so bizarre it defies any rational classification. The only thing these monsters have in common is that all have been seen regularly and reported by seemingly sober, rational witnesses in the United States, even as conventional science suggests these monsters cannot exist and that all the sightings are mistakes, misidentifications, or hoaxes.  
  For example, a very strange creature had a series of encounters with several witnesses in 1952 in West Virginia that may have been associated with a UFO, and it eventually became known as the Flatwoods Monster. Others have claimed to see a humanoid frog, a flying creature that seemed to be associated with an accident that killed almost 50 people, and one of the most famous folk legends across the Americas: the chupacabra. 
  Some of the sightings cannot be explained away easily, but at the same time, none of the creatures fit into a rational, conventional view of the world. Either those witnessing these creatures are completely wrong, deluded, or just plain crazy, or the outdoors is way weirder than people might think. 

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  Bethesda

  Howard G. Awbery

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  Bethesda Residential Home for the Active Elderly is well on her way to becoming the UK South Coast’s Residential Home of First Choice, all thanks to her formidable managing director, Veronica Puxworthy. For the past four years, since unexpectedly inheriting Bethesda in 1975, Veronica and her motley crew of managers have worked hard to make it a success. But now, after a series of surprise attacks, that success is under serious threat.  Can Veronica and her team – her cousin Joanne, an ex-convict and ex-accountant; Vincent, an ex-hearse driver with useful mates in the underworld; Elsie, Vincent’s wife, a medium and ex-embalmer; Alejandro, a hot-tempered Spaniard and head chef; Rosie, Alejandro’s naïve but sweet wife; and, finally, Godfrey, the quintessentially English, pipe-smoking, meticulous groundsman – overcome the unscrupulous attackers? With a little help from an extraordinary source, they devise a plan to protect their beloved Bethesda. Can they save her from further attacks before it’s too late?

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  The Habsburg Empire - Central...

  Nova Ashford

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  The Habsburg Dynasty, one of the most influential and enduring families in European history, laid the foundation for an empire that would dominate much of Central Europe for over six centuries. The family’s rise to power was not a result of military conquest or economic dominance, but rather strategic marriages, political alliances, and a series of calculated moves that allowed them to amass territories and influence across Europe. At the heart of the Habsburg's success was their ability to use dynastic marriages to expand their reach, securing land, titles, and influence through the marriages of their children to powerful European houses. 
  The origins of the Habsburgs can be traced to the 11th century, with the rise of the family’s first significant member, Radbot, a nobleman from what is now Switzerland. However, it was not until the 13th century that the Habsburgs began their ascent to prominence under the leadership of Rudolf I. In 1273, Rudolf was elected King of Germany, marking the beginning of the Habsburgs' long reign in Central Europe. This election not only established their position within the Holy Roman Empire but also set the stage for their future expansion. 
  The key to their continued rise lay in the Habsburgs’ unparalleled ability to form advantageous marriages. Rather than relying on military might, the family expanded its territorial holdings through strategic unions with other royal and noble families. One of the most significant of these marriages was that of Maximilian I in 1477 to Mary of Burgundy, which brought the Habsburgs the rich territories of the Burgundian Netherlands. This marriage effectively linked the Habsburgs with the wealth and influence of the Low Countries, establishing them as key players in European politics.

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  France’s Most Famous Palaces:...

  Editors Charles River

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  For the French, and those who study their history, Versailles is a symbol of, as Charles Dickens once put it, “the best of times…the worst of times.” It was here that the Sun King, Louis XIV, built a palace worthy of a great nation during a time when peace was, at best, short-lived. It was at Versailles that Russian Tsar Peter the Great studied the palace’s architecture and gardens so that he could recreate them in his home country. Indeed, the greatest minds and artistic geniuses of the later stages of the Renaissance came to Versailles to build and paint, and it was here that Madame de Pompadour and her successor, Madame du Barry, used their wit and beauty to charm a king into doing their bidding. 
  	France, like all European countries, has had its fair share of palaces over time, but none suffered the rise and fall of fortune like the Tuileries. Built by a widow with a flair for architecture, it grew for more than a decade, along with the royal family that it housed. Then, during the French Revolution, it fell from grace with that family and even became a sight of execution, its famous gardens providing the background for the infamous guillotine.  
  	The Louvre's very name conjures up scenes of art and elegance, and of long halls filled with beauty and people strolling through them whispering quietly among themselves about the glories they are witnessing. Even those who have never been to the Louvre know some of its most prized possessions, from ancient statues to Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”. As the world’s largest museum, the Louvre is unquestionably the cultural highpoint of Paris, a city that has long been considered the cultural center of Europe. 

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  Boring Country Facts for Sleep

  Soothing Knowledge

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  Settle in for the night with a calm journey through simple and uneventful facts about countries around the world. This audiobook shares plain, steady information that keeps your mind gently engaged without stirring excitement. Each fact is presented in a quiet, measured tone to help you relax and drift naturally toward sleep. 
  You’ll hear about population numbers, borders, national symbols, old traditions, and everyday details that rarely make headlines. The goal is not to entertain but to create a slow rhythm of knowledge that soothes your thoughts. 
  Perfect for bedtime listening, these facts act like a gentle background companion, helping you leave behind daily stress and settle into a peaceful state. The predictable pace and unremarkable details encourage a steady, restful mood that supports falling asleep easily. 
  Ideal for anyone who enjoys trivia or wants a calm and informative way to end the day, this audiobook turns the world’s countries into a soft, soothing lullaby of facts that helps you rest well through the night.

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  A Beginner's Guide to Learning...

  Jackson Miller

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  Embark on a thrilling language-learning journey with "Spanish Mastery," 
  "Spanish Mastery" adopts a carefully structured approach, starting with fundamental concepts for beginners and gradually progressing to more complex topics for intermediate learners. Each chapter builds upon the previous one, ensuring a smooth transition through the language-learning process. 
  Interactive Exercises and Activities: 
  Reinforce your understanding of Spanish through a variety of interactive exercises and activities. From vocabulary-building games to real-life scenarios, these hands-on tasks make learning enjoyable and effective, allowing you to apply your knowledge in practical situations. 
  Cultural Insights: 
  Immerse yourself in the Spanish-speaking world by exploring the cultural nuances embedded in the language. Discover the customs, traditions, and idioms that deepen your understanding, making your language skills more authentic and culturally aware. 
  Grammar Made Simple: 
  Tackle the often intimidating realm of grammar with user-friendly explanations and examples. From verb conjugations to sentence structure, "Spanish Mastery" breaks down complex grammar rules into manageable segments, empowering learners to grasp these essential elements quickly. 
  Comprehensive Vocabulary Lists: 
  Build a strong foundation in Spanish vocabulary with extensive word lists categorized by themes and difficulty levels. Whether you're a beginner looking to expand your basic vocabulary or an intermediate learner aiming for fluency, these lists are invaluable resources.: 
  Dive into authentic dialogues and conversations that mirror real-life scenarios. This approach helps you develop practical communication skills, enabling you to converse confidently with native speakers.

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