Other books that might interest you

• 

  The Dead Sea Scrolls - A Very...

  Timothy Lim

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Since their discovery in 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls have become an icon in popular culture that transcends their status as ancient Jewish manuscripts. Everyone has heard of the Scrolls, but amidst the conspiracies, the politics, and the sensational claims, it can be difficult to separate the myths from the reality. 
   
   
   
  In this Very Short introduction, Timothy Lim discusses the cultural significance of the finds, and the religious, political, and legal controversies during the seventy years of study since the discovery. He also looks at the contribution the Scrolls have made to our understanding of the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible, and the origins of early Christianity. Exploring the most recent scholarly discussions on the archaeology of Khirbet Qumran, and the study of the biblical texts, the canon, and the history of the Second Temple Period, he considers what the scrolls reveal about sectarianism in early Judaism. Was the archaeological site of Qumran a center of monastic life, a fortress, a villa, or a pottery factory? Why were some of their biblical texts so different from the ones that we read today? Did they have "a Bible?" Who were the Essenes and why did they think that humanity is to be divided between "the sons of light" and those in darkness? And do the Scrolls reflect the teachings of the earliest followers of Jesus?

  Show book

• 

  The End of America? - A Guide to...

  Allan Friedman

  • 0
  • 1
  • 0

  America was the shining city on a hill. It was the country at the forefront of the world democratic order, the global policeman, the might of its military matched only by the depth of its financial reserves. America was the one the world listened to, whether it wanted to or not. So, what happened?
  Well, a lot of things. In this searing account, Alan Friedman shows how, from the disastrous Vietnam War to Barack Obama's bungled response to the Arab Spring, American intervention has ceased to be the decisive action it once was. And now, with the rise of China and Russia, coupled with America's prostration of itself following the election of Donald Trump, the decline of its authority is only hastening.
  We move now, Friedman argues, into the New World Disorder. In this dangerous and unstable world, the Washington-enforced liberal order is receding, and a new set of alliances and anxieties are in ascendence. What is America's place in this? Which powers are going to emerge as the leaders? Will the European Union count at all? One thing is for sure: the effects of the New World Disorder will challenge our Western values to breaking point.

  Show book

• 

  Apartheid - Racial Segregation...

  50 50minutes

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Keen to learn but short on time? Get to grips with the history of apartheid in next to no time with this concise guide.50Minutes.com provides a clear and engaging analysis of apartheid in South Africa. For over 40 years, South Africa maintained a white supremacist regime which denied black citizens the same rights and opportunities as their white counterparts. The regime, which was established and maintained by a series of laws codifying racial segregation, attracted international condemnation and determined opposition from activists, including Nelson Mandela. Apartheid was finally dismantled in 1991, but had lasting effects on South African politics and society.In just 50 minutes you will:• Learn about the laws implemented during apartheid to enforce racial segregation• Identify the most influential figures and central events of the apartheid period• Analyse the immediate impact and long-term consequences of apartheid, both in South Africa and abroadABOUT 50MINUTES.COM|History & Culture50MINUTES.COM will enable you to quickly understand the main events, people, conflicts and discoveries from world history that have shaped the world we live in today. Our publications present the key information on a wide variety of topics in a quick and accessible way that is guaranteed to save you time on your journey of discovery.

  Show book

• 

  Harry Potter and the Order of...

  Bright Summaries

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Unlock the more straightforward side of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix with this concise and insightful summary and analysis!This engaging summary presents an analysis of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling, which follows Harry as he faces widespread rejection from the wizarding world, which refuses to believe his claim that Lord Voldemort has returned. The arrival of the sadistic bureaucrat Dolores Umbridge as Hogwarts' new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor only aggravates the situation, and Harry soon becomes the de facto leader of the students working against her, even as Voldemort begins gathering his followers in preparation for a new war. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the fifth novel in J.K. Rowling's bestselling seven-book series, which has inspired films, video games, board games and even a theme park. Rowling is now a household name around the world, and her other books include The Casual Vacancy (2012) and The Cuckoo's Calling (2013), which was published under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.Find out everything you need to know about Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in a fraction of the time!This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you:• A complete plot summary• Character studies• Key themes and symbols• Questions for further reflectionWhy choose BrightSummaries.com?Available in print and digital format, our publications are designed to accompany you on your reading journey. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.See the very best of literature in a whole new light with BrightSummaries.com!

  Show book

• 

  Homelessness is a Housing...

  Clayton Page Aldern, Gregg Colburn

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  In Homelessness Is a Housing Problem, Gregg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern seek to explain the substantial regional variation in rates of homelessness in cities across the United States. In a departure from many analytical approaches, Colburn and Aldern shift their focus from the individual experiencing homelessness to the metropolitan area. Using accessible statistical analysis, they test a range of conventional beliefs about what drives the prevalence of homelessness in a given city—including mental illness, drug use, poverty, weather, generosity of public assistance, and low-income mobility—and find that none explain the regional variation observed across the country. Instead, housing market conditions, such as the cost and availability of rental housing, offer a far more convincing account. With rigor and clarity, Homelessness Is a Housing Problem explores United States cities' diverse experiences with housing precarity and offers policy solutions for unique regional contexts.

  Show book

• 

  Nicholas and Alexandra Majesties...

  Elena Sommers

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  This is a book about love, life and death set in Russia, during Czar Nicholas the II’s reign. It commences at the end of the 19th century with his father’s burial and his subsequent inheritance of the Crown – with absolute power. His reign is underpinned by the strong love between him and his wife Alexandra and overshadowed by the presence of Rasputin.
   
  But his unwise decisions lead to chaos, including the Khadynka Tragedy, Bloody Sunday, 1905 revolution and the Czar’s abdication. His family is imprisoned, first in Tobolsk and then in Ekaterinburg, and the story concludes with the communists obtaining power and executing the entire royal family.
   
  Become entangled in the tales of love, hate, conflict, sex, treachery, and murder between the characters. Dive into a horrifying historical moment from one hundred years ago and experience for yourself life at a crucial turning point in Russia’s bloody history.

  Show book