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  Xia Dynasty - The Myth and...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Xia Dynasty is often considered the first dynasty of China, marking the transition from a prehistoric era dominated by tribal alliances to a structured monarchy. However, much of what is known about the Xia comes from ancient texts written centuries later, blurring the line between history and legend. At the heart of this foundation myth is Yu the Great, a figure credited with taming the catastrophic floods that once plagued the Yellow River region. 
  According to traditional accounts, China before the Xia was ruled by the Five Emperors, semi-mythical sages who brought order and knowledge to early societies. The final ruler of this period, Emperor Shun, recognized Yu for his brilliance and appointed him to control the devastating floods that had threatened agricultural settlements for generations. Unlike his predecessors, who attempted to block or divert the waters, Yu devised a system of dredging and canal-building that allowed the floodwaters to drain naturally into rivers and the sea. His efforts reportedly took over a decade, during which he traveled across the land, surveying the terrain and directing large-scale labor projects. His selfless dedication won him the admiration of the people, and his success in flood control cemented his reputation as a leader with the Mandate of Heaven. 
  The concept of the Mandate of Heaven, though later fully developed under the Zhou Dynasty, has its roots in the Xia period. It suggested that rulers were chosen by divine will and that their legitimacy depended on their ability to maintain order and prosperity. Yu's ability to tame the floods demonstrated both his virtue and his right to rule. Upon Emperor Shun’s abdication, Yu became the first king of the Xia Dynasty, establishing a hereditary monarchy that would continue for generations.

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  The Alchemist

  Ben Jonson

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  An outbreak of plague in London forces a gentleman, Lovewit, to flee temporarily to the country, leaving his house under the sole charge of his butler, Jeremy. Jeremy uses the opportunity given to him to use the house as the headquarters for fraudulent acts. He transforms himself into 'Captain Face', and enlists the aid of Subtle, a fellow conman and Dol Common, a prostitute.    In The Alchemist, Jonson unashamedly satirizes the follies, vanities and vices of mankind, most notably greed-induced credulity. People of all social classes are subject to Jonson's ruthless, satirical wit. He mocks human weakness and gullibility to advertising and to "miracle cures" with the character of Sir Epicure Mammon, who dreams of drinking the elixir of youth and enjoying fantastic sexual conquests. The Alchemist focuses on what happens when one human being seeks advantage over another. In a big city like London, this process of advantage-seeking is rife. The trio of con-artists - Subtle, Face and Dol - are self-deluding small-timers, ultimately undone by the same human weaknesses they exploit in their victims.

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  A Rare Recording of Film Icon...

  Natalie Wood

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  Natalie Wood (née Zacharenko; July 20, 1938 - November 29, 1981) was an American actress who began acting at age four and co-starred at age eight in Miracle on 34th Street (1947). As a teenager, she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Rebel Without a Cause (1955), followed by a role in John Ford's The Searchers (1956). Wood starred in the musicals West Side Story (1961) and Gypsy (1962) and received nominations for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performances in Splendor in the Grass (1961) and Love with the Proper Stranger (1963). The following recording is from a 1979 interview.

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  The Golden Girls - Tales from...

  Taylor Cole Miller, Jr. Alfred...

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  The Golden Girls: Tales from the Lanai is an accessible collection that explores the cultural, industrial, and historical impact of that beloved American sitcom. Edited by Taylor Cole Miller and Alfred L. Martin, Jr., this anthology brings together a diverse range of voices that model different media studies approaches to researching and critically analyzing television texts. The Golden Girls reclaims the production history and development of the show, opens new conversations about audiences—especially Black, queer, and female audiences—and provides new insight into the meteoric rise in popularity of The Golden Girls as a 2020s cultural phenomenon. With twelve original chapters and extensive original interviews offering listeners rare insights behind the scenes, the book is a long day's journey into the marinara of The Golden Girls—an immersive, engaging opportunity for listeners to learn more about the show. It truly is the golden age of The Golden Girls.

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  The Green Mister Rogers -...

  Sara Lindey, Jason King, Junlei Li

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  Fred Rogers was an international celebrity. He was a pioneer in children's television, an advocate for families, and a multimedia artist and performer. He wrote the television scripts and music, performed puppetry, sang, hosted, and directed Mister Rogers' Neighborhood for more than thirty years. Rogers' direct, slow, gentle, and empathic approach is supported by his superior emotional strength, his intellectual and creative courage, and his joyful spiritual confidence. 
   
   
   
  The Green Mister Rogers: Environmentalism in "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" centers on the show's environmentalism, primarily expressed through his themed week "Caring for the Environment," produced in 1990 in coordination with the twentieth anniversary of Earth Day. Unfolding against a trash catastrophe in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Rogers advances an environmentalism for children that secures children in their family homes while extending their perspective to faraway places, from the local recycling center to Florida’s coral reef. Ultimately, Rogers cultivates a practical wisdom that provides a way for children to confront the environmental crisis through action and hope and, in doing so, develop into adults who possess greater care for the environment and a capacious imagination for solving the ecological problems we face.

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  Secrets of Power: Unmasking the...

  Hudson Merriweather

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  Secrets of Power: Unmasking the True History of Kings and Queens: 
  ⭐⭐ A Simplified Guide & Explanations Included ⭐⭐ 
  Are you eager to advance your career and deepen your understanding of the fascinating leaders who shaped history? 
  Searching for a comprehensive guide that encompasses everything you need to unlock the wisdom of power through these extraordinary figures? 
  Your quest concludes here! 
  This guide acts as your ultimate resource for enriching your knowledge, honing your skills, and participating in engaging exercises. With it, you're set up for success. 
  Updated for your journey into the Secrets of Power. 
  Key features of this enhanced guide: 
  - In-depth insights into the unmasking of kings and queens throughout history 
  - Detailed explorations of the relative influence and leadership styles of historical figures 
  - Effective strategies for learning and engaging with the material 
  Our guide stands out due to its in-depth coverage, vital for your quest for knowledge. Concepts are not just briefly mentioned; they are thoroughly examined for clarity and understanding. 
  Please note, this guide is an independent resource and is not affiliated with any official historical entity. 
  Designed with a clear structure and accessible language, our guide ensures seamless transitions between topics. Say goodbye to confusing jargon and embrace straightforward, precise, and technically accurate content. 
  Why hesitate? Click the BUY NOW button, secure your guide, and commence your journey into the Secrets of Power!

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