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  Dogopolis - How Dogs and Humans...

  Chris Pearson

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  Dogopolis presents a surprising source for urban innovation in the history of three major cities: human-canine relationships. 
    
  Stroll through any American or European city today and you probably won’t get far before seeing a dog being taken for a walk. It’s expected that these domesticated animals can easily navigate sidewalks, streets, and other foundational elements of our built environment. But what if our cities were actually shaped in response to dogs more than we ever realized? 
   
  Chris Pearson’s Dogopolis boldly and convincingly asserts that human-canine relations were a crucial factor in the formation of modern urban living. Focusing on New York, London, and Paris from the early nineteenth century into the 1930s, Pearson shows that human reactions to dogs significantly remolded them and other contemporary western cities. It’s an unalterable fact that dogs—often filthy, bellicose, and sometimes off-putting—run away, spread rabies, defecate, and breed wherever they like, so as dogs became a more and more common in nineteenth-century middle-class life, cities had to respond to people’s fear of them and revulsion at their least desirable traits. The gradual integration of dogs into city life centered on disgust at dirt, fear of crime and vagrancy, and the promotion of humanitarian sentiments. On the other hand, dogs are some people’s most beloved animal companions, and human compassion and affection for pets and strays were equally powerful forces in shaping urban modernity. Dogopolis details the complex interrelations among emotions, sentiment, and the ways we manifest our feelings toward what we love—showing that together they can actually reshape society.

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  Summary of Benny Lewis's Fluent...

  Falcon Press

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  Buy now to get the main key ideas from Benny Lewis's Fluent in 3 Months 
    
  Do you wish you had paid attention and actually learned French in high school? Is “learn Spanish” one of the New Year’s resolutions you always fail to keep? Benny Lewis’s Fluent in 3 Months (2014) can teach you how to change that. 
  A language is used for communication, and you should always strive to utilize it with other people, no matter what your skill level is. Forget the traditional learning methods, such as memorizing vocabulary lists and conjugation sheets, which are the reason many beginners get discouraged. Instead, Lewis shows you how to apply interesting methods that help you learn language quickly and start speaking it with others. The learning process should be fun and alive, just like language itself.

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  American Girl Anthology An -...

  KC Hysmith, Justine...

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  An American Girl Anthology: Finding Ourselves in the Pleasant Company Universe turns American Girl dolls―and the ever-growing ecosystem surrounding them―inside out. Editors Justine Orlovsky-Schnitzler and KC Hysmith, along with an expansive list of contributors, explore Pleasant Company (American Girl's parent corporation) and the social and cultural impact the dolls and broader American Girl universe continue to have for generations of American consumers through thoughtful and fun essays.This collection serves as an ode to the democratizing power of the internet and the intoxicating power of nostalgia, while also looking toward the future as the eldest American Girl fans become parents themselves. It is also a critical account of the ways in which American Girl has shaped senses of self-worth and hopes for the future, securing a base of lifelong consumers, and also serves as a love letter to the kids we collectively used to be. They will find essays focusing on topics as diverse as food and historical recipes in American Girl publications, the advent of "tag yourself" memes, the struggle to find authentic and long-lasting Asian American representation within the pages of the American Girl catalog, and the enduring power of The Care and Keeping of You as a resource for finding joy in our bodies.

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  Shang Dynasty - China's Bronze...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Shang Dynasty, often considered the first historically confirmed dynasty of ancient China, marked the beginning of a new era in Chinese civilization. Flourishing from around 1600 to 1046 BCE, the Shang established a highly organized society, developed a complex system of governance, and made significant advancements in art, technology, and culture. Their rise to power followed the decline of the Xia Dynasty, an era that remains shrouded in legend, with little concrete archaeological evidence to confirm its existence. The emergence of the Shang brought structure, stability, and a more defined political system, setting the foundation for future dynasties. 
  According to traditional Chinese historical accounts, the Shang Dynasty was founded by Tang, a ruler known for his wisdom and leadership. He is said to have overthrown the last Xia king, who was notorious for his tyranny and misrule. This transition of power was not merely a change in leadership but a transformation of governance, as the Shang kings implemented a more centralized authority, strengthening their control over vast territories. The establishment of their capital, which shifted multiple times during the dynasty’s rule, demonstrated their adaptability and strategic planning. The most well-documented capital, Yinxu (near present-day Anyang), provides extensive archaeological evidence of Shang civilization.

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  Animals in Antiquity: The...

  Editors Charles River

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  To the ancient Egyptians, the gods and goddesses were all around them and could be seen daily in nature. Nearly every animal found in ancient Egypt, both domestic and wild, were associated with a god or goddess, which can be seen in Egyptian art where deities are often depicted with human bodies and animal heads. Or sometimes the deities are portrayed as complete animals. Since deities were associated with certain animals, all animals of a specific species were given divine and protected status.  
  Animals were constantly involved in the core elements of Greek society and cults, and this centrality could be found in the numerous depictions of animals on coins and vases throughout the Greek colonies. Game and fish were plentiful, along with deer, wolves, boar, lynx, and even bears. Similarly, there were numerous jackals and porcupines. There were, however, a few significant species that would have been found in the wild in Classical times, such as the agrimis (or Cretan goat) and the lion, that have either become totally extinct or virtually extinct in the modern-day region. Lions, in particular, often feature in Greek literature, and both Herodotus and Aristotle described lions in northern Greece. The presence of lions in Greece seems further confirmed by their numerous portrayals in Mycenaean art and tales of lions in Homer. 
  Rome's complex relationship with animals goes right back to its foundation myth, and even today, the wolf remains a symbol of the Eternal City, forming part of the logo for the capital's football team, A.S. Roma. According to tradition, the city of Rome was founded by Romulus, who, with his brother Remus, was nursed and sheltered by a she-wolf. That tale, widely believed as a historical fact by ancient Romans, had a profound influence on Roman culture, and in part that shaped Roman attitudes toward their animals.

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  Urban Design - Principles...

  Lyric Vale

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  Urban design is the process of shaping the physical features of cities, towns, and villages. It is a discipline that integrates various elements such as architecture, planning, landscaping, and sociology to create functional, aesthetically pleasing, and sustainable urban spaces. As cities continue to grow and evolve, urban design becomes increasingly important in ensuring that urban areas meet the needs of both current and future generations. This chapter introduces the concept of urban design, its historical development, and its significant role in modern cities. 
  The history of urban design can be traced back to ancient civilizations where urban planning was guided by principles of geometry, religion, and governance. The layout of cities such as Ancient Rome and Greek cities was often designed with grand structures, forums, and public spaces to reflect social hierarchies and civic values. Over time, as cities grew larger and more complex, the role of urban design evolved. In the modern era, the Industrial Revolution brought about rapid urbanization, with a focus on accommodating large populations and facilitating economic growth. However, this period also led to overcrowded, unsanitary conditions that highlighted the need for better planning and design to improve quality of life. 
  Urban design today is centered around creating environments that are not only functional but also enhance the well-being of their inhabitants. It involves a multidisciplinary approach that considers various factors such as traffic flow, pedestrian access, environmental sustainability, and social equity. The goals of urban design are to create places that are safe, accessible, inclusive, and beautiful. This requires careful consideration of the built environment, including buildings, streets, public spaces, and infrastructure, as well as the natural environment, such as green spaces, waterways, and ecosystems.

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