Other books that might interest you

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  Under the Dome - Politics Crisis...

  Alan M. Hantman, Sen. Harry M....

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  The domed US Capitol Building is recognized around the world as America's most iconic symbol, the forum for representative democracy, and the physical stage for the transfer of executive power. As the United States grew in size and complexity, the Capitol was built, rebuilt, enlarged, and extended many times under the direction of the few who have served as Architect of the Capitol. This official heads the agency dedicated to preserving and upgrading this magnificent structure, and all the buildings and grounds of Capitol Hill. 
   
   
   
  In Under the Dome, Alan Hantman, the Architect of the Capitol from 1997 to 2007, provides a personal account of how the Capitol works as a physical space; who runs it, how and why decisions are made about the security of the Capitol and the people who work there, and how politicians think about the Capitol Building. He also recounts security threats to the Capitol during his tenure—including the 1998 shooting murder of two police officers and the Capitol evacuation on 9/11 as a hijacked airplane approached—that underscore one of his greatest challenges as Architect. The tension between securing the Capitol and opening it to the public drove the design and construction under his direction of the Capitol Visitor Center, the largest expansion of the Capitol in its history, increasing its size by seventy percent.

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  Sengoku - Warring States and the...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Sengoku period, meaning “Warring States,” was one of the most turbulent and transformative eras in Japanese history. Lasting from the mid-15th century to the early 17th century, it was marked by ceaseless conflict, shifting alliances, and the gradual disintegration of centralized authority. The roots of this period can be traced back to the decline of the Ashikaga Shogunate, the Ōnin War, and the rise of regional warlords known as daimyo, each vying for control over Japan’s fractured political landscape. 
  The Ashikaga Shogunate, which had ruled Japan since the early 14th century, gradually lost its grip on the country due to internal corruption, weak leadership, and an inability to maintain order. By the mid-15th century, the shogunate had become largely symbolic, with real power resting in the hands of feudal lords. These tensions erupted into full-scale conflict with the outbreak of the Ōnin War (1467–1477), a devastating civil war primarily fought in and around Kyoto. What began as a succession dispute within the shogunate spiraled into a nationwide conflict, leading to the destruction of Kyoto and the collapse of central authority. 
  With the Ashikaga Shogunate rendered powerless, Japan entered a chaotic era where military might determined control. Local daimyo, originally appointed as provincial governors, seized the opportunity to establish autonomous domains. These warlords fortified their territories, raised armies, and engaged in relentless battles to expand their influence. The traditional system of hereditary rule began to erode as capable military leaders, often of humble origins, overthrew established families. This period saw the rise of powerful daimyo such as the Takeda, Uesugi, and Hojo clans, each striving to dominate the fractured nation.

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  Don't Be a Sucker A 1943 US Army...

  US Army Signal Corps

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  The following is the audio track for Don't Be a Sucker, a 1943 anti-fascism propaganda film financed and produced by the United States Army Signal Corps, and shot at the Warners studio. The film stars Paul Lukas, Felix Bressart, Bob Bailey, Kurt Kreuger, and narrated by Lloyd Nolan. It follows a young American Freemason taken in by the message of a soap-box orator who asserts that all good jobs in the country are being taken by minorities, domestic and foreign. He then falls into a conversation with a refugee professor who tells him of the pattern of events that brought Hitler to power in Germany and how Germany's anti-democratic groups split the country into helpless minorities, each hating the other. The professor concludes by pointing out that America is composed of many minorities, but all are united as Americans. The film was re-issued in 1946 following the end of World War II.

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  Drama Box and the Social Theatre...

  How Wee Ng

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  This pioneering study provides an essential guide to the formative years of Drama Box, a leading Chinese-language theatre company in Singapore. How Wee Ng presents a compelling narrative of how Drama Box has emerged as a prominent force in the field of theatre for social intervention, effectively amplifying the voices of marginalised communities and establishing itself as a foremost advocate of cutting-edge, socially oriented artistic practice. Ng’s in-depth analysis of Drama Box’s most influential works during this pivotal period, and his meticulous examination of the social, political, and economic contexts of their productions, illuminate the remarkable balance the company has achieved in its engagement with government policy, censorship, and financial imperatives, while fiercely defending its artistic autonomy. As well as unveiling the remarkable history of Drama Box, the book offers readers a unique lens through which to understand the complex relationship between the arts and state authority, and the broader socio-cultural and political landscape of contemporary Singapore.

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  Kingdom of Kongo - Christianity...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Kingdom of Kongo emerged as one of the most powerful and centralized states in Central Africa. Its origins can be traced back to the early Bantu migrations, which spread agriculture, ironworking, and complex social structures across the region. By the 14th century, various smaller chiefdoms in present-day Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo began to coalesce under a single authority, forming what would become the Kingdom of Kongo. 
  The region’s fertile lands and access to major rivers facilitated both agriculture and trade. Kongo’s early economy relied on the cultivation of crops such as millet, sorghum, and bananas, as well as the production of iron tools and weapons. The abundance of natural resources allowed the ruling elite to accumulate wealth and expand their influence. As trade networks developed, Kongo became a center of commerce, linking the interior regions of Central Africa with coastal markets. 
  Kongo's social and political organization was highly structured. At the top of the hierarchy was the king, known as the Manikongo, who ruled from the capital, Mbanza Kongo. The Manikongo exercised authority over provincial rulers, who governed different regions of the kingdom. This system allowed for centralized administration while also granting local leaders autonomy in managing their territories. The kingdom was further divided into districts and villages, with a bureaucratic structure that ensured tax collection, military organization, and judicial functions.

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  101 Amazing Facts about the...

  Merlin Mill

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  Do you know how much each episode of The Simpsons costs to make? What was Paul McCartney’s one condition for appearing as a guest star on the show? What is Comic Book Guy’s real name? And what is the origin of the phrase ‘eat my shorts’? 
  In this fantastic audiobook, Rachael Warren-Allen talks us through more than one hundred facts about The Simpsons, a show often considered to be the best animation of all time. Whether you’ve been a fan since the show first launched, or you’re only just now starting to enjoy the surreal humour somehow grounded in everyday life, you are sure to learn some fascinating new information about Homer, Bart and the rest of the gang.

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