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  The Western Xia Dynasty - The...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Western Xia Dynasty, founded by the Tangut people, emerged as a powerful and distinct kingdom in northwestern China during the 11th century. Its establishment marked the rise of a unique civilization that balanced influences from the Chinese, Tibetan, and Central Asian cultures while maintaining its own identity. The Tanguts, originally a nomadic group, gradually settled in the Ordos region and later expanded into the Hexi Corridor, an area of strategic importance due to its location along the Silk Road. 
  The dynasty was officially established in 1038 by Li Yuanhao, who declared himself emperor and adopted the title of the Great Xia. Li Yuanhao sought to solidify Tangut sovereignty by breaking free from the dominance of the Song Dynasty. To emphasize independence, he introduced significant reforms, including the creation of the Tangut script, a writing system distinct from Chinese characters, reinforcing cultural identity. Under his rule, Western Xia developed a centralized government, with administrative structures modeled in part after the Song system but adapted to suit Tangut traditions. 
  Expansion and military strength played crucial roles in the rise of the Western Xia. The Tanguts, skilled in cavalry warfare, built a formidable army that enabled them to challenge the Song Dynasty, the Liao Dynasty of the Khitans, and later, the Jin Dynasty of the Jurchens. Frequent conflicts with these neighboring states shaped Western Xia’s military strategies, leading to a highly fortified kingdom capable of defending its territory against multiple threats. While diplomacy was occasionally pursued, warfare was often the means through which the dynasty maintained its influence.

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  Taking the Risk - My adventures...

  Hilary Bradt

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  Taking the Risk is Hilary Bradt's engaging, insightful, amusing and sometimes alarming memoir about serendipitous adventures in travel and publishing. A travel industry trail-blazer who co-founded Bradt Guides, Hilary looks back on 50 years of escapades, surprises, mishaps, disasters. and success. From her first solo trip aged three (on a British beach), she revisits six decades of hitchhiking, feeding the travel habit by working abroad, and starting a successful travel publishing company where knowing nothing proved a surprising asset. Barely into her twenties, Hilary Bradt thumbed lifts around the Middle East for three months before spending four years working and travelling in the US. Between 1973 and 1976 Hilary explored, and worked in, South America and Africa with her then husband George, often journeying through literally uncharted territory in their quest to find new hiking routes. The discovery of an ancient trail to Machu Picchu unexpectedly inspired their first guidebook. From 1977 the pair wrote several backpacking guides, and set up Bradt Guides. This was just as well, because Hilary's career in occupational therapy ended when potential employers noticed that time taken off for travel exceeded periods of employment. During the 1980s, Bradt Guides grew and became successful - but that didn't stop Hilary travelling, including as a tour leader. Join Hilary as she relives in detail the rigours of travel before the days of the internet or mobile phones, including smuggling her husband across an international border and frequently getting arrested despite efforts to be responsible tourists. Learn how Hilary's lack of experience made the early days of publishing quite unlike those of any other successful publisher. Laugh (or cry) at Hilary's ability to court media disasters while seeking the limelight, including waving around condoms on BBC TV. Taking the Risk comprises the collected stories of an inveterate, intrepid traveller whose joyous exploration of the world has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people - anyone who has owned a Bradt Guide. A unique book from a unique individual, it will delight anyone who has ever travelled or ever wondered what goes into making the books we read.

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  Oz Clarke’s Story of Wine: 8000...

  Oz Clarke

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  Uncork a whole new take on the fascinating story of wine, captivatingly told by everyone’s favourite wine expert Oz Clarke.  
  This fully updated edition takes us through the riveting twists and turns of the history of winemaking all the way to the very latest trials and innovations of the present day… 
  Join Oz Clarke on a journey through the ages as he explores the places, the people and the bottles that have shaped the captivating history of wine. 
  Starting from the probable birth of a wine culture in ancient Georgia, Oz travels from 6000 BC through the fact and fiction of Persia, Egypt, Greece and Rome, and then along the winding trail right up to the latest innovations in winemaking today. 
  Packed with sparkling wit and charismatic storytelling, Oz shares more than a hundred fascinating tales and woven into these are probably a hundred more. From revered medieval monks to revolutionary discoveries, Oz paints a wonderfully vivid picture of the ever-evolving story of wine. 
  The book is a non-fiction masterpiece, taking readers on a road trip through the world of beverages. It's a top pick for those interested in cooking, antiques, and collectibles, especially those related to alcoholic drinks. 
  For fans of Hugh Johnson (Hugh Johnson on Wine), Madeline Puckette (Wine Folly), Henry Jeffreys (The Cocktail Dictionary), Jamie Goode (The Goode Guide to Wine), and Stephen Skelton (Vine Varieties, Clones and Rootstocks for UK Vineyards 2nd Ed.). 
  HarperCollins 2023

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  What I Was Doing While You Were...

  Kristin Newman

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  "What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding is kind of like if Eat, Pray, Love were written by your funniest friend." —Rachel Dratch 
   
   
   
  Kristin Newman spent much of her twenties and thirties buying dresses to wear to her friends' weddings and baby showers. Not ready to settle down and in need of an escape from her fast-paced job as a sitcom writer, Kristin instead traveled the world, often alone, for several weeks each year. In addition to falling madly in love with the planet, Kristin fell for many attractive locals, men who could provide the emotional connection she wanted without costing her the freedom she desperately needed. 
   
   
   
  Kristin introduces listeners to the Israeli bartenders, Finnish poker players, sexy Bedouins, and Argentinean priests who helped her transform into "Kristin-Adjacent" on the road—a slower, softer, and, yes, sluttier version of herself at home. Equal parts laugh-out-loud storytelling, candid reflection, and wanderlust-inspiring travel tales, What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding is a compelling debut that will have listeners rushing to renew their passports.

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  Maurya Empire - The Rise of...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Maurya Empire, one of the most significant dynasties in Indian history, emerged in the late 4th century BCE. Its foundations were laid by Chandragupta Maurya, who, with the guidance of his advisor Chanakya, overthrew the ruling Nanda dynasty and established a powerful empire. The rise of the Mauryas marked a turning point in Indian history, as they created a centralized and efficient administration that governed vast territories. 
  Before the Maurya Empire, the Indian subcontinent was fragmented into various kingdoms and republics. The dominant power during this time was the Nanda dynasty, which ruled over Magadha, a region in present-day Bihar. Though the Nandas controlled a significant portion of northern India, their rule was marked by heavy taxation and unpopular policies, which created discontent among the people and the military. This environment of dissatisfaction provided an opportunity for Chandragupta Maurya to challenge their authority. 
  Chandragupta’s rise to power is closely linked to Chanakya, a scholar and strategist who had been humiliated by the Nandas. Seeking revenge, Chanakya trained Chandragupta in statecraft, military tactics, and governance. With his mentor’s guidance, Chandragupta built an army and gradually expanded his influence. By allying with local rulers and gaining the support of disgruntled soldiers, he launched a successful campaign against the Nandas, eventually seizing control of Magadha around 321 BCE.

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  The Full English

  Stuart Maconie

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  A Sunday Times Book of the Week and Top 10 BestsellerA Times bestsellerA Waterstones Paperback of the Year 2024A Spectator Book of the Year 
  What kind of country is England today? 
  What does it mean to be English? 
  Are we hungry for change or seeking old certainties? 
  Join Stuart Maconie on an enlightening, entertaining journey through England, from Bristol's Banksy to Durham's beaches, from Cotswolds corduroy to Stoke's oatcakes. 
  As his guide, Maconie walks in the footsteps of J.B. Priestley's classic travelogue, English Journey, to explore our national identity and how it has evolved over the last century. On his way, Stuart takes inspiration from the people he meets at bus stops and train stations, cafes and corner shops. 
  Travelling the length of the land, Maconie explores the differences between city and town, north and south, and examines our past and present with affection and insight. Whether he’s passing the boutique hotels of Manchester, the moors of Ilkley or the grand houses of Tynemouth, looking out over misty fens or urban skylines, he shines a light on the people who make these places and asks what the future holds for them. Along the way, he uncovers local heroes and secret histories over early breakfasts and last orders. 
  Through his journey, he lets us see our homes and habits, hopes and eccentricities with fresh eyes. The Full English challenges us to embrace the messy, shifting and diverse nature of England, and to ask ourselves what kind of country we want to be. 
  In this bestseller, Maconie offers a literary exploration of Britain, blending travelogues and essays to create a humorous and insightful non-fiction piece. This Sunday Times bestselling book delves into the history and social interests of Europe, making it a special read. 
  For fans of Tim Hannigan (The Granite Kingdom), Helen Rebanks (The Farmer's Wife), Michael Palin (Erebus), Ben Aitken (A Chip Shop in Poznan), and Alan Bennett (Keeping On Keeping On). 
  HarperCollins 2023

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