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  Zulu Kingdom - Shaka Zulu's...

  Rolf Hedger

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  Shaka Zulu was born in 1787 to Senzangakhona, a minor chief of the Zulu clan, and Nandi, a woman of the Langeni people. His birth was unconventional and shrouded in controversy. As a child born out of wedlock, Shaka and his mother faced rejection and humiliation from Senzangakhona’s family, leading to their exile from the Zulu kingdom. They found refuge among the Langeni and later with the Mthethwa, a powerful kingdom under the leadership of Chief Dingiswayo. These early experiences of hardship, resilience, and survival shaped Shaka’s character, instilling in him a determination to rise above adversity. 
  Growing up, Shaka displayed remarkable physical strength, intelligence, and leadership abilities. Among the Mthethwa, he trained as a warrior under Dingiswayo’s command, where he was exposed to innovative military tactics that later influenced his own strategies. He quickly gained recognition for his bravery and strategic mind, earning a place of prominence within the army. It was during this period that he began developing ideas to revolutionize warfare, questioning the effectiveness of traditional long-range throwing spears and loose battle formations. 
  The political landscape of the time was volatile. Various Nguni-speaking clans, including the Zulu, were engaged in constant skirmishes for power and resources. The Mthethwa, under Dingiswayo, sought to unify smaller groups to strengthen their influence against rival factions like the Ndwandwe, led by Zwide. Shaka’s abilities as a warrior and leader caught Dingiswayo’s attention, and he became a favored protégé. This mentorship provided Shaka with the opportunity to refine his tactical skills and forge alliances that would later aid his own rise to power.

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  Urbanization and Its Impact -...

  Lyric Vale

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  Urbanization refers to the process by which an increasing proportion of a population comes to reside in urban areas, often transforming rural landscapes into bustling cities. It is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon that encompasses social, economic, cultural, and environmental changes. The rapid expansion of urban areas is one of the most defining features of modern society, reflecting humanity's growing tendency to cluster in cities for opportunities, convenience, and better access to resources. 
  Historically, urbanization began with the establishment of early agricultural settlements, which served as hubs for trade and governance. Over time, these settlements grew into cities as advancements in technology, transportation, and infrastructure facilitated their expansion. The Industrial Revolution, in particular, marked a pivotal moment in the history of urbanization, drawing large numbers of people into urban centers in search of work and prosperity. Today, urbanization continues at an unprecedented pace, driven by industrial growth, globalization, and population migration from rural to urban regions. 
  The scope of urbanization extends far beyond the mere growth of cities. It profoundly influences nearly every aspect of human life, from economic development to social interactions and environmental sustainability. Economically, cities serve as engines of growth, innovation, and creativity, offering concentrated markets, skilled labor, and access to advanced infrastructure. Socially, urban areas often promote cultural exchange and diversity, creating spaces where people from different backgrounds can interact and collaborate. However, this growth also comes with challenges, such as overcrowding, inequality, and the strain on public services and infrastructure.

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  Where Angels Fear to Tread: The...

  Sally Becker

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  'I was filled with apprehension about crossing the front line, but I would have risked my life to save just one child. Ivan was giving me a chance to save them all…' 
  This is the extraordinary work of Sally Becker, a humanitarian aid worker who for over three decades has risked it all in order to help the children of war. 
  Where Angels Fear to Tread is a reminder that – with determination, unrelenting passion and drive – one person can change the lives of so many. 
  In May 1993, Sally Becker went to Bosnia to help the innocent victims of war. She started by delivering humanitarian aid to the region, and was soon hailed as the 'Angel of Mostar' for rescuing wounded children and their families from the besieged city. Sally continued her work throughout the conflict and is credited with saving many lives. 
  When President Milosevic ordered his troops into Kosovo, her missions continued, this time on foot across the mountains. While attempting to bring sick and wounded children and their families to safety, she was captured by Serb paramilitaries, but neither this nor being shot by masked gunmen in Northern Albania could make her abandon her task. 
  Bosnia was Sally's first mission and the beginning of her lifelong commitment to help rescue children caught up in some of the most horrific wars around the world, including missions to help children in Iraq, Ukraine and most recently Gaza. 
  Her account provides a rare and invaluable insight into the complexities of international aid work, the shocking reality of life on the front lines and the desperate race to save innocent children trapped in war zones. 
  This is her extraordinary story. 
  Sally Becker's autobiography, a compelling narrative of her life in the service of others, is set to be the latest bestseller in non-fiction. Her memoirs, steeped in tales of charity and social welfare, underscore the power of individual action amidst the often sluggish responses of government institutions. 
  nan 
  HarperCollins 2025

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  The Prince

  Niccolò Machiavelli

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  The Prince 
  By Niccolò Machiavelli 
  A timeless masterpiece on power, strategy, and statecraft, The Prince is one of the most influential political treatises ever written. First penned in 1513, Niccolò Machiavelli offers a bold and unapologetic guide on how rulers can acquire and maintain power, often advocating for pragmatism over morality. 
  With razor-sharp insights into human nature, deception, and governance, Machiavelli argues that a successful leader must be cunning, adaptable, and, when necessary, ruthless. From the necessity of fear over love to the art of war and manipulation, The Prince remains a vital read for politicians, strategists, and anyone seeking to understand the complex dynamics of power. 
  Whether admired as a manual for leadership or criticized as a blueprint for tyranny, The Prince continues to shape political thought centuries after its publication. This edition, translated by W.K. Marriott, preserves the clarity and brilliance of Machiavelli’s original work, making it accessible to modern readers."It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both."

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  Death in the Highlands - The...

  J. Keith Saliba

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  In fall 1965, North Vietnam's high command smelled blood in the water. The South Vietnamese republic was on the verge of collapse, and Hanoi resolved to crush it once and for all. The communists set their sights on South Vietnam's strategically vital West-Central Highlands. Their first target was the American Special Forces camp at Plei Me, remote and isolated along the Cambodian border. 
   
   
    
  As darkness fell on 19 October, 1965, two North Vietnamese Army regiments crept into their final strike positions. The plan was as simple as it was audacious: one regiment would bring the frontier fortress under siege while the other would lie in wait to destroy the inevitable rescue force. Initially, all that stood athwart Hanoi's grand scheme was a handful of American Green Berets, a few hundred Montagnard allies—and burgeoning US airpower. 
   
   
    
  But as the overland relief force bogged down, 5th Group ordered in the legendary "Chargin" Charlie Beckwith and his elite Project Delta to help hold the line. Soon, the newly formed 1st Cavalry Division, under its commander Maj. Gen. Harry Kinnard, would join the fray, setting the stage for its bloody Ia Drang Valley fights a few weeks later. Before it was over, the siege of Plei Me would push its defenders to the brink and usher in the first major clashes between the US and North Vietnamese armies.

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  Ounces of Philosophy in a World...

  Gilles Vervisch

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  “That’s the game my dear Lucette!”
  (What is happiness?)
  “Beef, the taste of being together.”
  (What is religion?)
  “Because you’re worth it.”
  (Who am I?)
  The “creators” of ads seem to be teaching us to live through the great “concepts” of philosophy, such as happiness, freedom, nature, the self or religion. But how many ounces of philosophy are there in this world of ads? That’s the question this book asks, without forgetting to include a dose of humor in its ingredients.

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