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  Aloysha the Pot - From their...

  Leo Tolstoy

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  Leo Tolstoy was born in 1828 in the Russian province of Tula to a wealthy noble family. As a child, he had private tutors but he showed little interest in any formal education. When he went to the University of Kazan in 1843 to study oriental languages and law, he left without completing his courses.  Life now was relaxed and idle but with some writing also taking place.  Gambling debts forced an abrupt change of path and he joined the army to fight in the Crimean War.  He was commended for his bravery and promoted but was appalled at the brutality and loss of life.  He recorded these and other earlier experiences in his diaries which formed the basis of several of his works. 
  In 1852 ‘Childhood’ was published to immediate success and was followed by ‘Boyhood’ and ‘Youth’. 
  His experience in the army and the horrors he witnessed resulted in ‘The Cossacks’ in 1862 and the trilogy ‘Sevastopol Tales’. After the war he travelled around Europe, visiting London and Paris and meeting such luminaries as Victor Hugo and Charles Darwin.  
  It was now that Tolstoy began his masterpiece, ‘War and Peace’. Published in 1869 it was an epic work that changed literature. He quickly followed this with ‘Anna Karenina’.  
  These successes made Tolstoy rich and helped him accomplish many of his dreams but also brought problems as he grappled with his faith and the lot of the oppressed poor. These revolutionary views became so popular that the authorities now kept him under surveillance.  
  He led a life of asceticism and vegetarianism and put his socialist ideals into practice by establishing numerous schools for the poor and food programmes. He also believed in giving away his wealth, which caused much discord with his wife.  
  His writing continued to bring forth classics such as ‘The Death of Ivan Ilyich’ and many brilliant and incisive short stories such as ‘How Much Land Does A Man Need’.  
  In 1901 Tolstoy was excommunicated from the Church and controversially deselected for the Nobel Prize for Literature. 
  Whilst undertaking a pilgrimage by train in October 1910 with his daughter Aleksandra he caught pneumonia in the nearby town of Astapovo.  Leo Tolstoy died on November 9th, 1910, he was 82.

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  The Mythology of the Aborigines...

  Odessa Nightshade

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  Aboriginal mythology is one of the oldest and most enduring oral traditions in the world, deeply intertwined with the identity, spirituality, and way of life of Indigenous Australians. At the heart of this mythology is the concept of **Dreamtime**, the sacred era in which the land, people, and laws of existence were formed. Unlike Western myths, which often separate the past from the present, Dreamtime stories are timeless—continuing to shape and guide Aboriginal communities today.  
    
  One of the most profound aspects of Aboriginal mythology is its role in explaining the creation of the natural world. The Dreaming tells of powerful ancestral beings who shaped the land, created rivers and mountains, and gave life to animals and people. These stories are not just myths but sacred truths, passed down through generations as a way of preserving knowledge, laws, and cultural values. The **Rainbow Serpent**, for example, is a common figure in many Aboriginal cultures, often depicted as a creator spirit responsible for forming the land and waterways. Other tales speak of celestial beings, tricksters, and wise elders who teach important lessons about survival, respect, and harmony with nature.  
    
  Oral tradition is central to Aboriginal culture, ensuring that these sacred stories remain alive. Unlike written texts, Dreamtime stories are preserved through song, dance, rock art, and storytelling, allowing each generation to contribute to and maintain their significance. The stories are more than entertainment; they serve as maps for navigating the landscape, moral guides for behavior, and spiritual connections to the ancestors. They also emphasize a deep respect for the land, as many stories explain the sacred nature of particular sites, reinforcing the importance of environmental stewardship. 

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  Human All Too Human -...

  Friedrich Nietzsche

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  What drives humanity toward progress? How do morality and tradition shape our understanding of life? Can we truly free ourselves from inherited beliefs and live authentically? 
  Human, All Too Human is Friedrich Nietzsche’s bold exploration of the human condition and the forces that shape our moral, intellectual, and social existence. Through sharp aphorisms and thought-provoking reflections, Nietzsche challenges readers to examine their deeply held assumptions and embrace independent thought. 
  This modern translation simplifies Nietzsche’s profound ideas without losing their depth, offering practical wisdom for navigating the complexities of the modern world.What You’ll Discover:The Origins of Morality – Explore the cultural, historical, and psychological roots of moral values.The Nature of Progress and Freedom – Understand the tension between tradition and innovation and how to cultivate personal independence.Reflections on Society and Culture – Examine how societal norms influence human behavior and decision-making.Philosophy for Self-Discovery – Learn to think critically, challenge conventional wisdom, and embrace personal growth. 
  This adaptation preserves the brilliance and nuance of Nietzsche’s original work while making it accessible to modern readers. Human, All Too Human is a guide to understanding the complexity of human nature and uncovering the potential for growth and transformation in everyday life. 
  Gain clarity on the forces shaping your thoughts, embrace independent thinking, and discover the journey to becoming your truest self. 
  Start your exploration of morality, progress, and freedom today. Get your copy now and transform how you see life, society, and yourself.

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  Beneath the Silence

  Trinity Lease

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  Beneath the Silence 
  One woman’s journey from pain to purpose—through heartbreak, loss, and healing. 
  For years, she lived beneath the silence—trapped in a world of fear, addiction, and broken promises. A childhood shadowed by chaos gave way to a young adulthood filled with heartache, shattered trust, and desperate struggles to survive. Every day was a battle against the darkness inside and around her. 
  But beneath that silence, something fierce and unbreakable was hope. 
  She becomes a mother, a sister, a wife, and a student—roles she never imagined for herself but embraces with courage. With every scar she carries, she finds strength. With every tear, she finds grace. Beneath the Silence is a powerful story of resilience that will touch the hearts of anyone who has ever felt lost, broken, or silenced—and remind them that healing is possible, one step at a time. 
  This memoir is a raw and honest account of the slow, messy climb from trauma to healing. It is about learning to forgive, learning to love, and learning to believe that a better life is possible—even when it feels out of reach. 
  Trinity Lease is a mother, wife, and college student who has transformed her past pain into a story of hope and healing. She believes that sharing our darkest moments can light the way for others.

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  The Progressive Presidents

  Editors Charles River

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  When William McKinley was assassinated in 1901, young Theodore Roosevelt was thrust into the presidency, one that would earn him a place on Mount Rushmore, Roosevelt’s “Square Deal” domestic policies favored average citizens while busting trusts and monopolies. Roosevelt also promoted conservation as an environmental stance, while his “speak softly and carry a big stick” foreign policy is still an oft used phrase today. Roosevelt even earned a Nobel Prize during his presidency.   
  As one of the most influential men of the 20th century, there is no shortage of adjectives to use when describing Woodrow Wilson’s two terms as president of the United States. Wilson was a pioneer of the Progressive movement both before and during his presidency, becoming a populist champion a generation before Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal. He ran for reelection by touting his neutrality during World War I, only to lead his nation into the war and become the architect of a world body that would lead to greater inter-connection among nations. Today Wilson is best remembered for his Fourteen Points, one of the most forceful arguments for an idealistic foreign policy in American history. 
  Franklin Delano Roosevelt might be America’s greatest 20th century president, but there’s no question that he was the most unique. A well-connected relative of Theodore Roosevelt, FDR was groomed for greatness until he was struck down by what was widely believed to be polio at the time. Nevertheless, he persevered, rising through New York politics to reach the White House just as the country faced its greatest challenge since the Civil War. For over a decade, Roosevelt threw everything he had at the Great Depression, and then threw everything the country had at the Axis powers during World War II. Ultimately, he succumbed to illness in the middle of his fourth term, just before the Allies won the war. 

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  Black Heart Fades Blue - Volume Two

  Jerry A. Lang

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  If you're looking for the events that inspired the lyrics to all my songs? Those stories are in this book. If you're looking for what I did when I was younger? That's in here. What changed me, made me stop hating and hurting? It's all here. This is my story and I'm sticking to it. That's the one thing I have, the truth. 
   
   
   
  Volume two of Black Heart Fades Blue, a three-part memoir by the founder and frontman for one of punk rock's most notorious acts, Poison Idea 
   
   
   
  In 1980, Jerry A. formed Poison Idea, a Portland-based punk band that gave voice to disaffected and disenfranchised youth for over thirty years. As happened to so many punk bands, Jerry A. and Poison Idea also went all in on drugs and drinking as they toured the country, spiraling out of control and blowing both the band and their lives apart. 
   
   
   
  Black Heart Fades Blue is not an apology or a nostalgic catalog of events, but a true reckoning with one's past and present. A memoir of a time and a place and a movement, as well as a deep conversation about the memories and moments we leave behind, Black Heart Fades Blue is a deep exploration of an unconventional life.

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