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  The Somali Famine of 2011 -...

  Sarah Willards

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  The Somali Famine of 2011 stands as one of the most devastating humanitarian crises of the 21st century. It resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people, the majority of whom were children, and displaced millions of others. The famine, which lasted from mid-2010 to early 2012, was driven by a combination of environmental, political, and social factors. This chapter will examine the key aspects of the crisis, providing an understanding of how it emerged and what made it so catastrophic. 
  The roots of the famine can be traced to a severe drought that affected much of the Horn of Africa in 2011. The drought, one of the worst in decades, was exacerbated by irregular rainfall patterns linked to climate change. Somalia, already a country struggling with inadequate infrastructure and poor governance, faced dire consequences as crops failed, livestock perished, and food supplies dwindled to critical levels. The lack of sufficient rainfall and water sources left millions without the means to grow food or sustain their livelihoods. 
  However, the drought alone was not the sole cause of the famine. Somalia had been suffering from ongoing conflict and instability for years. The rise of militant groups, particularly the Al-Shabaab insurgency, contributed to the breakdown of essential services, such as food distribution and medical care. The instability also hindered the ability of international aid organizations to access those in need, which only deepened the crisis. The government’s weak control over large portions of the country and its inability to respond effectively to the disaster further complicated the situation.

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  The Fallacies of Racism -...

  Jennifer Patrice Sims

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  Everyone has an opinion on racism. The vast majority of people would vehemently deny that they or those close to them are "racist," yet many of the most common understandings of racism are highly problematic. "If you mean no harm, then it can't be racist." Yes, it can. "There are anti-discrimination laws now, so racism no longer occurs." Incorrect. "Some of my best friends are Black, so I can't be racist." Not true. 
   
   
    
  In this sharp, open-minded, and witty book, sociologist Jennifer Patrice Sims succinctly addresses these problematic perceptions of racism as fallacies. Building on existing academic theories and drawing on her own cross-national research, two decades of teaching, and analyses of contemporary issues, she delves into the most common and insidious fallacies about racism. In revealing them to be rooted in what scholars call an "epistemology of ignorance," she shows how these perceptions justify and uphold white supremacy (inadvertently or otherwise). 
   
   
   
  Accessibly written and full of concrete examples, this book will be of great value to anyone who wants to understand the common misunderstandings about racism that frustrate contemporary politics, classrooms, workplaces, and dinner tables.

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  Steel Drivin' Man: John Henry...

  Scott Reynolds Nelson

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  The ballad "John Henry" is the most recorded folk song in American history and John Henry--the mighty railroad man who could blast through rock faster than a steam drill--is a towering figure in our culture. 
  In Steel Drivin' Man, Scott Reynolds Nelson recounts the true story of the man behind the iconic American hero, telling the poignant tale of a young Virginia convict who died working on one of the most dangerous enterprises of the time, the first rail route through the Appalachian Mountains. Using census data, penitentiary reports, and railroad company reports, Nelson reveals how John Henry, victimized by Virginia's notorious Black Codes, was shipped to the infamous Richmond Penitentiary to become prisoner number 497, and was forced to labor on the mile-long Lewis Tunnel for the C&O railroad. Equally important, Nelson masterfully captures the life of the ballad of John Henry, tracing the song's evolution from the first printed score by blues legend W. C. Handy, to Carl Sandburg's use of the ballad to become the first "folk singer," to the upbeat version by Tennessee Ernie Ford. 
  Attractively illustrated with numerous images, Steel Drivin' Man offers a marvelous portrait of a beloved folk song--and a true American legend.

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  A Room of One's Own

  Virginia Woolf

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  'Women have served all these centuries as looking glasses possessing the magic and delicious power of reflecting the figure of man at twice its natural size.'
  
  Based on two lectures Woolf delivered at the University of Cambridge, A Room of One's Own compellingly argues for women's intellectual freedom and the importance of financial independence. It is still considered one of the most powerful pieces of feminist writing to this day.
  
  Published in 1929, A Room of One's Own asserts a simple message: in order for women to reach their full creative potential, they must have their own money and space with which to do it with. Drawing from the careers of the extraordinary female authors who came before her – such as Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters and Aphra Behn – Woolf stresses just how crucial access to education is, particularly in an environment which fails to support women's liberty. She cleverly asks us to imagine that Shakespeare had a sister – equal in genius, talent – and poses the question: would her legacy be the same if her means to create were stumped? As incisive as it is intelligent, A Room of One's Own is a searing social commentary for the ages. This audiobook edition is brilliantly read by Karen Cass.
  Virginia Woolf (1882 – 1941) was one of the most significant novelists of the twentieth century. A modernist writer and progressive thinker, she is known for her stream of consciousness narrative style and influence on feminist criticism. Her works have been translated into over fifty languages and are widely read and adapted to this day.

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  The Murder of Tutankhamen - A...

  PhD Bob Brier

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  Today, Tutankhamen is the most famous of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs. After his death at the age of nineteen, "King Tut" was forgotten from history, until the discovery of his tomb in 1922 propelled him to worldwide fame. But the circumstances of his death remain shrouded in mystery . . . 
   
   
   
  X-rays of Tutankhamen's skull suggest a violent death. Was it accident or murder? Several members of his family died around the same time—was is coincidence? Why did Tutankhamen's widow send desperate messages to the Hittite king, requesting marriage to one of his sons? And who murdered the Hittite price on his journey to Egypt? Who ordered the removal of Tutankhamen's name from all monuments and temples, and thus from Egyptian history? 
   
   
   
  This fascinating, painstakingly researched book is the first to explore in depth the questionable circumstances of Tutankhamen's demise—and to present a shocking scenario of betrayal, ambition, and murder. In The Murder of Tutankhamen, renowned Egyptologist Bob Brier reveals an exciting journey into ancient history—and a 3,000 year-old mystery that still compels us today.

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  The Third British Empire

  Alfred Eckhard Zimmern

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  The Third British Empire. Sir Alfred Eckhard Zimmern (1879–1957) was an English classical scholar, historian, and political scientist writing on international relations. His book, The Third British Empire, was among the first to apply the expression "British Commonwealth" to the British Empire. He is also credited with the phrase "welfare state", which was made popular a few years later by William Temple.

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