Altri libri che potrebbero interessarti

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  White

  Sylvain Tesson

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  When Sylvain Tesson left the colorful yellow houses of the French Riveria for a ski trek across the Alps with his friend Daniel du Lac, a high-altitude mountain guide, he didn't know what exactly would await him. Over the course of four years, from 2018 to 2021, they ascended high into the Alps in winter, following the curve of the mountains from the Mediterranean to the Adriatic, entering into a white world entirely of snow, bitterly cold, and overlooked by an empty sky; only the effort of moving forward, one stride at a time, separated the days from one another. He thought he was venturing into beauty but he was immersing himself in a substance. In the white of the high Alps all is canceled out—hopes, fears, memories, and regrets. What did he stand to gain by inflicting this ordeal on himself? This was no ordinary mountain trek: it was communion with a substance. Perhaps his longtime dream of transforming travel into prayer would come true at last.

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  Ghosts of Scotland - Eerie...

  Kelly Mass

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  Whether you believe in the supernatural elements or not, it is fascinating to see how the idea of ghosts happened, and how it developed over the ages. Even if they're really there, it can be said that many individuals have been totally wrong about them. And so, it is pretty much up to us to study them and sort out what the most credible, spiritual truths could be, based upon our own beliefs blended with the stories and testaments of others. 
  A ghost is the soul or spirit of a departed individual or animal who can appear to the living in folklore. Ghosts are defined in numerous ways in folklore, varying from an unnoticeable presence to clear or hardly noticeable wispy shapes to reasonable, realistic forms. Mysticism, or a séance in spiritism, is the purposeful effort to get in touch with the spirit of a departed individual. Part, haunt, phantom, poltergeist, shade, specter, ghost, alarm, wraith, devil, and evil spirit are some of the other titles used to define it. 
  The belief in a hereafter, and symptoms of the spirits of the dead, is quite common, extending back to pre-literate civilizations' animism or forefather praise. Funeral events, exorcisms, and some forms of spiritualism and routine magic are all specifically created to put the spirits of the dead to rest. Though legends of ghostly armies and the ghosts of animals instead of people have been told, ghosts are usually depicted as lonesome, human-like essences. They are said to haunt particular spots, products, or people with whom they once had a relationship. According to a Seat Proving ground research from 2009, 18% of Americans declare to have seen a ghost. 
  Let’s talk about this more in this fascinating book.

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  A Woman in the Polar Night

  Christian Ritter, Sara Wheeler

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  This rediscovered classic memoir tells the incredible tale of a woman defying society's expectations to find freedom and peace in the adventure of a lifetime. 
   
   
   
  In 1934, the painter Christiane Ritter leaves her comfortable life in Austria and travels to the remote Arctic island of Spitsbergen, to spend a year there with her husband. She thinks it will be a relaxing trip, a chance to "read thick books in the remote quiet and, not least, sleep to my heart's content," but when Christiane arrives she is shocked to realize that they are to live in a tiny ramshackle hut on the shores of a lonely fjord, hundreds of miles from the nearest settlement, battling the elements every day, just to survive. 
   
   
   
  At first, Christiane is horrified by the freezing cold, the bleak landscape the lack of equipment and supplies . . . But as time passes, after encounters with bears and seals, long treks over the ice and months on end of perpetual night, she finds herself falling in love with the Arctic's harsh, otherworldly beauty, gaining a great sense of inner peace and a new appreciation for the sanctity of life.

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  Britain's Best Bike Ride - The...

  John Walsh, Hannah Reynolds

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  Britain's Best Bike Ride by John Walsh and Hannah Reynolds is a beautifully illustrated and inspirational guide to the ultimate thousand-mile cycling adventure from Land's End to John o' Groats.
  There are many ways to cycle between Land's End and John o' Groats, but the route specially created for this book, LEJOG1000, is designed to show you the quiet roads, picturesque villages and dramatic landscapes that make the experience memorable. Instead of taking the most direct route, it invites you to explore the best of each region you pass through. You'll discover stunning beaches and wild ponies on your way along the quiet wild-flower-edged lanes of Cornwall and Devon, follow the meandering River Wye in Wales, wind your way through a post-industrial landscape of canals and mill chimneys in the North West, before moving on to the epic climbs and grand vistas of Scotland.
  Carefully crafted to allow you the freedom to create your own ultimate adventure, the route is split into 30 adaptable stages, each finishing in a town or village with suggested places to eat, drink and stay. Create your own bespoke itinerary, or use one of three itinerary options provided: the 2-week classic, 3-week explorer or 10-day challenge. Along with stunning photography and lively insightful writing you will find all the practical information you need to plan your LEJOG1000 – route directions, bespoke mapping, cafes, pubs and local bike shops. Downloadable GPX files of the route are also available.
  Britain's Best Bike Ride will inspire you to take on this once-in-a-lifetime challenge – you'll be pedalling into John o' Groats having experienced the very best of Britain on a bike before you know it!

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  Gupta Empire - Golden Age of Art...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Gupta Empire, one of the most influential dynasties in Indian history, emerged in the early 4th century CE. It marked the beginning of a new era characterized by political stability, territorial expansion, and remarkable advancements in various fields. The foundation of the empire was laid by Chandragupta I, whose leadership and strategic alliances set the stage for the golden age that followed. 
  The origins of the Gupta dynasty remain somewhat obscure, but historical records suggest that they were a powerful regional clan in the Magadha region, present-day Bihar. Unlike the Mauryan Empire, which had a centralized administrative structure, the Gupta rulers adopted a more decentralized approach, allowing local rulers to maintain a degree of autonomy while still pledging allegiance to the empire. This governance model contributed to their long-lasting rule and ensured stability across their vast territories. 
  Chandragupta I, who ascended the throne around 320 CE, played a crucial role in the establishment of the empire. His most significant achievement was his matrimonial alliance with the Licchavi princess Kumaradevi, which not only strengthened his position but also expanded his influence in the fertile Ganges basin. This strategic marriage helped him consolidate power and gain the support of powerful regional factions. As a result, the empire's boundaries began to expand, laying the groundwork for future conquests.

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  Sengoku - Warring States and the...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Sengoku period, meaning “Warring States,” was one of the most turbulent and transformative eras in Japanese history. Lasting from the mid-15th century to the early 17th century, it was marked by ceaseless conflict, shifting alliances, and the gradual disintegration of centralized authority. The roots of this period can be traced back to the decline of the Ashikaga Shogunate, the Ōnin War, and the rise of regional warlords known as daimyo, each vying for control over Japan’s fractured political landscape. 
  The Ashikaga Shogunate, which had ruled Japan since the early 14th century, gradually lost its grip on the country due to internal corruption, weak leadership, and an inability to maintain order. By the mid-15th century, the shogunate had become largely symbolic, with real power resting in the hands of feudal lords. These tensions erupted into full-scale conflict with the outbreak of the Ōnin War (1467–1477), a devastating civil war primarily fought in and around Kyoto. What began as a succession dispute within the shogunate spiraled into a nationwide conflict, leading to the destruction of Kyoto and the collapse of central authority. 
  With the Ashikaga Shogunate rendered powerless, Japan entered a chaotic era where military might determined control. Local daimyo, originally appointed as provincial governors, seized the opportunity to establish autonomous domains. These warlords fortified their territories, raised armies, and engaged in relentless battles to expand their influence. The traditional system of hereditary rule began to erode as capable military leaders, often of humble origins, overthrew established families. This period saw the rise of powerful daimyo such as the Takeda, Uesugi, and Hojo clans, each striving to dominate the fractured nation.

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