Other books that might interest you

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  The Humbugs of the World - An...

  P. T. Barnum

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  P. T. Barnum, best-known for his own use of hoaxes in his popular Barnum & Bailey Circus, found that the use of hoaxes was acceptable when the audience was getting the entertainment they paid for. When it came to religious hoaxes, fraud, and swindling, Barnum was avidly against it. He even went so far as to offer $500 to any medium who could prove that they actually could reach the dead. In this exposé of humbugs and the scams they perpetuate, he goes after religious quacks, witches and sorcerers, and other forms of frauds in all walks of life. He discusses some of the most notable scams of the time and reveals the perpetrators as humbugs. In addition to scams, he also discusses business affairs and his own opinions of the current events of his time.

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  Sir Arthur Bliss - Standing out...

  Paul Spicker

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  Arthur Bliss (1891–1975) was one of the most important British musicians of his age. Born into a family where music played a highly significant role, his talent emerged early. He served with distinction in the Great War, in which he was both injured and gassed. After the War he set the musical world alight with ultra-modern works, earning himself the soubriquet enfant terrible and leading to his first major work, the Colour Symphony. His dual American/British birthright led to a close connection with the USA and marriage to an American girl, Trudy Hoffman, who would be a mainstay of his life. Before long he became the most performed British composer abroad and his portfolio of works included ballet, film (H.G. Wells's Things to Come remains one of the finest film scores), opera, orchestral, chamber, choral works and song. He was a diplomat, a skill that was recognized in many appointments from the Government to travel using music as soft power, notably to Russia in 1956. He served as Director of Music at the BBC from 1942–4, was knighted and soon after appointed Master of the Queen's Music. Bliss was a private figure who stated that the only way to get to know him was through his music. Paul Spicer takes this as his starting point for this pioneering biography, which underlines the timely importance of a complete reappraisal of this important composer's music.

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  Surviving Squid Game I Am VIP 4

  Geoffrey Giuliano

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  For all the media hype around the Netflix mega-hit 'Squid Game,' no one from the cast has spoken about the unreal experience of filming the blockbuster series. Of course, many of the actors are Korean and not fully conversant with English. In addition, they are huge stars in their own country. That leaves a gap for the show's millions of fans being informed on the complex inner workings, dramas, trials, and sky-high triumphs which took place over the long hard shoot in Seoul Korea.Now series star Geoffrey Giuliano (VIP4) comes forward with an exclusive,  affectionate tell-all on the genesis of the production and earth-shaking aftermath of this entertainment and cultural landmark. He is in a unique position to do so as he is an acclaimed best-selling author of over 30 books and 800 audiobooks. His work as an actor is well known and now it is his time to shine in 'Squid Game'.Here then are the riveting on-set secrets from one of the series most unforgettable stars. For everything you know about 'Squid Game,' there's just as much you don't - including insider info on the much anticipated season two! Here is the ultimate insider look at the real 'Squid Game'. Care to play?Produced by Macc KayICON Intern Eden Garret GiulianoCover Image Courtesy Netflix©2021 Eden Garret Giuliano (P) 2021 Eden Garret GiulianoGeoffrey Giuliano is the author of over thirty internationally bestselling biographies, including the London Sunday Times bestseller 'Blackbird: The Life and Times of Paul McCartney' and 'Dark Horse: The Private Life of George Harrison'. He can be heard on the Westwood One Radio Network and has written and produced over seven hundred original spoken word albums and documentaries on various aspects of popular culture. In addition, Giuliano is an occasional lecturer at Northwestern University. He is also a well-known movie actor in such films as 'Squid Game', 'Mechanic Resurrection',

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  Tang Dynasty - Golden Age of Art...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Tang Dynasty, one of the most prosperous and influential periods in Chinese history, lasted from 618 to 907 CE. Often referred to as a golden age, it was marked by significant cultural, political, and economic developments that shaped the trajectory of Chinese civilization. The dynasty succeeded the Sui Dynasty, which had fallen due to internal strife and excessive military campaigns, and it laid the foundation for many of the political and cultural features that would characterize Chinese history for centuries. The Tang Dynasty's legacy is still visible in the arts, governance, and cultural exchanges that continue to influence China today. 
  The founding of the Tang Dynasty is attributed to Li Yuan, who became Emperor Gaozu after a successful rebellion against the Sui Dynasty in 618. His reign was followed by that of his son, Emperor Taizong, one of the most renowned rulers in Chinese history. Under their leadership, the Tang Empire quickly expanded its territories, establishing control over much of present-day China and extending its influence across Central Asia, Korea, and parts of Southeast Asia. This expansion was not only military but also cultural, as the Tang Dynasty became a melting pot of diverse peoples, cultures, and ideas. 
  Politically, the Tang Dynasty introduced several innovations that helped maintain its stability and success. It perfected the imperial examination system, which allowed for a more meritocratic approach to selecting government officials, and it expanded the civil service, ensuring that a large and efficient bureaucracy could handle the empire’s vast territory. The legal system, known as the Tang Code, was influential in shaping the governance of China for centuries and served as a model for other East Asian countries.

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  Rocky - The Ultimate Trivia...

  Film Trivia Metaverse

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  ROCKY 
  THE ULTIMATE TRIVIA COLLECTION 
    
  FROM THE MOVIE DIRECTED BY JOHN G. AVILDSEN 
    
  CREATED BY FILM TRIVIA METAVERSE 
    
  ABOUT THE FILM 
  Rocky (1976) is a powerful sports drama directed by John G. Avildsen, written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. The film follows Rocky Balboa, an uneducated but determined Italian-American boxer living in Philadelphia. Working as a debt collector for a loan shark, Rocky gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fight Apollo Creed, the heavyweight champion, after Creed's opponent drops out. With the help of his trainer Mickey and support from his love interest Adrian, Rocky trains for the biggest fight of his life. The movie explores themes of perseverance, self-worth, and the pursuit of the American Dream against all odds. 
    
  TRIVIA SAMPLES: 
    
  “According to Burt Young, during filming of the scene where Paulie walks home drunk, an actual drunk wandered onto the location and told Young he wasn't acting drunk convincingly, so Young asked the man to demonstrate it. Young then copied the man's actions for the scene.” 
    
  “The ice rink scene was originally written to feature 300 extras, but the production couldn't afford so many people. When Sylvester Stallone turned up to shoot the scene, to his horror, there was only one extra. So, Stallone hastily threw together the scene as it exists in the completed film. This scene has become one of the most popular in the entire Rocky saga.” 
    
  “Sylvester Stallone and Carl Weathers suffered injuries during the shooting of the final fight: Stallone suffered bruised ribs, and Weathers suffered a damaged nose, the opposite injuries of what their characters had.”

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  The Clash's Sandinista!

  Micajah Henley

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  Following the success of their instantly iconic double LP, London Calling, The Clash set out to do something “triply outrageous.” Named after the Nicaraguan rebels who successfully overthrew an authoritarian dictator, Sandinista! consists of 36 songs across six sides of vinyl. Produced by the band, it showcases their politics as well as their ability to adopt a multitude of genres ranging from punk, reggae, jazz, gospel, calypso, and hip hop. Free from the influence of their Machiavellian manager, Bernie Rhodes, The Clash still battled their record label to release the triple LP on their terms: three for the price of one.Despite its polarizing reception from critics at the time of its release, Sandinista! is often considered one of the greatest albums of all time. Nevertheless, critics and fans have spent over 40 years debating whether the album would be better as a 12-track LP. This book entertains that idea and considers what is lost or gained in the process. To do so, the book delves into the politics of The Clash, the spliff bunkers constructed for the production of the album, and the sacrifices made upon its release. It examines the album's 36 tracks and considers the significance of the record's dissection on behalf of fans who curate their own versions of the album in the mixtape, CD, and playlist eras.

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