Other books that might interest you

• 

  Ultimate Sailing Adventures -...

  Miles Kendall

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  This new edition of Ultimate Sailing Adventures takes you on a thrilling ride around the world's best boats, locations and voyages – from amazing passages and destinations, through memorable races and rallies to special boats and sailing experiences. There are exciting adventures that will appeal to everyone from novice to expert. Stunning, full-page photographs put you at the heart of the action, while inspirational descriptions allow you to dream of being there. It's perfect for planning your next sailing adventure, or alternatively allows you to indulge in some armchair sailing in boats and places of your wildest dreams. As well as major expeditions, like crossing the Atlantic or sailing around the world, and classics like the Fastnet Race, there is a wealth of adventures in a wide variety of boats in amazing locations from Lake Titicaca to the Arctic Circle and from the turquoise waters of the Caribbean to the icebergs of the Southern Ocean. Every continent is covered, so expect to find places where you've sailed alongside those you never knew existed. Each entry is accompanied by useful information such as the degree of difficulty, best time of the year and similar adventures. Discover where you will sail next – in reality or in your imagination.

  Show book

• 

  Mughal Empire - The Taj Mahal...

  Rolf Hedger

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  The Mughal Empire emerged as one of the most powerful and influential dynasties in Indian history, leaving a lasting impact on culture, architecture, and governance. Its foundation was laid by Babur, a descendant of both Timur and Genghis Khan, who established Mughal rule in the early 16th century. Babur's military prowess and strategic vision enabled him to defeat the Delhi Sultanate in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526. This victory marked the beginning of Mughal dominance in the Indian subcontinent. However, Babur’s reign was short-lived, and it was his grandson, Akbar, who truly solidified the empire’s foundation. 
  Akbar ascended the throne at a young age and quickly proved himself to be an exceptional leader. His reign, which lasted from 1556 to 1605, was marked by territorial expansion, administrative reforms, and a commitment to cultural and religious harmony. Unlike previous rulers, Akbar recognized the diversity of India and sought to integrate different communities into his empire. He abolished the jizya tax on non-Muslims, promoted interfaith dialogue, and appointed talented individuals from various backgrounds to key positions in his administration. His policy of religious tolerance and inclusive governance earned him the loyalty of many, contributing to the stability and prosperity of the empire. 
  One of Akbar’s most remarkable achievements was the establishment of an efficient administrative system. He divided his empire into provinces, each governed by appointed officials who reported directly to the central authority. This system ensured effective governance and facilitated tax collection, trade, and law enforcement. Additionally, Akbar introduced a standardized revenue system that helped regulate the economy and promote agricultural growth. His emphasis on merit-based appointments created a well-organized bureaucracy that endured long after his reign.

  Show book

• 

  Egyptian Revival - The Influence...

  Omar Khalil

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  The fascination with Ancient Egypt has influenced architectural and artistic movements for centuries, culminating in what is known as the Egyptian Revival. This movement, characterized by its adaptation of ancient Egyptian motifs, emerged in response to rediscoveries of Egypt’s past. The revival gained traction during the 18th and 19th centuries, driven by archaeological discoveries, historical curiosity, and a growing appreciation for non-European artistic traditions. 
  One of the key moments that ignited interest in Ancient Egypt was Napoleon Bonaparte’s Egyptian campaign (1798–1801). This military expedition was not just an act of conquest but also a scientific endeavor that brought scholars, artists, and historians to document Egypt’s ancient ruins. The most significant outcome of this campaign was the publication of the “Description de l'Égypte,” a comprehensive collection of illustrations and studies that introduced Europe to the architectural grandeur of Egypt. The discovery of the Rosetta Stone in 1799 further fueled this fascination, as it eventually led to the deciphering of Egyptian hieroglyphics, allowing deeper insights into the civilization’s history and culture. 
  The widespread enthusiasm for Ancient Egypt in the early 19th century gave rise to what historians call “Egyptomania.” This cultural phenomenon influenced literature, fashion, decorative arts, and architecture. Egyptian imagery, including sphinxes, obelisks, and pyramidal forms, began to appear in European cityscapes. The influence was particularly noticeable in monumental architecture, where designers sought to capture the imposing and symbolic nature of ancient Egyptian structures. The fascination with Egypt was further fueled by colonial expansion, as European powers took a vested interest in the region’s antiquities.

  Show book

• 

  Raising Olives in Provence - A...

  Kenneth R. Timmerman

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Americans have long had a love affair with Provence: its glamour, its mystique, its foreignness. But never have they had a guide like Ken Timmerman. Bursting with humorous stories about local characters and vivid description of French landscapes and customs gleaned from thirty-five years in the country, Raising Olives in Provence tells the story of how the author improbably came to renovate a run-down house and raise olive trees in the hills above Saint-Tropez. From olive presses to truffle markets, from Templar hostelries to lunch at a beachside club with the king and queen of Sweden, Timmerman takes us to places and introduces us to people we would never find on our own. 
   
   
   
  In his other life as a war correspondent and investigative reporter, Timmerman deals with the horrors and betrayals of a world gone mad, always returning to this hillside in the south of France as a refuge. But even here, intrigue and treachery lie just beneath the surface, along with mysterious visitors on the hillside, an olive thief, phony artists and wannabe aristocrats, and the endless love adventures of his French neighbors. 
   
   
   
  Love, faith, marriage, and friendship—with a sprinkling of salt, thyme, and some olive oil, please! And don't forget the rosé.

  Show book

• 

  Crossing Latitude

  Reece Davis

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Every line on a map tells a story — of power, of possibility, of people divided and connected in equal measure. 
  In Crossing Latitude, acclaimed travel writer Reece Davis traces the invisible boundaries that carve the planet, journeying along parallels and meridians from the equator to the Arctic Circle. Through deserts, oceans, and city streets, he meets those who live where these unseen lines dictate climate, culture, and fate. 
  From fishermen on the Tropic of Capricorn to scientists at 60° North, Davis uncovers how geography shapes humanity’s rhythm — and how the act of crossing a line, literal or metaphorical, reveals who we truly are. 
  Thought-provoking, vivid, and deeply human, Crossing Latitude invites readers to see the world not as a series of borders, but as a living, breathing web of connection.

  Show book

• 

  Dear New York - Voices From The...

  Brandon Stanton

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  A dramatic reading of stories and quotations from Brandon Stanton’s photography book Dear New York, the inspiration for the groundbreaking Grand Central Station installation.While the book pairs photographs with firsthand accounts from their subjects, this audio companion features different New Yorkers, both actors and nonactors, reading these same stories aloud. These readings are accompanied by field recordings of New York City’s streets, parks, and sidewalks, collected from all over the five boroughs in the summer of 2025.Dear New York is a love letter to the streets, stories, and souls that define the heart of the city and its people.Creator of the global sensation Humans of New York and author of four #1 New York Times bestsellers, Brandon Stanton has shown us a unique side of our communities, our neighbors, and ourselves. Now, he takes us further and deeper than he’s ever gone before.Embracing all five boroughs, Dear New York is filled with contradictions, yet brimming with life. It is an unprecedented portrait of the world’s greatest city, and a personal tribute to the people who provide its soul.This audiobook is narrated by:Andre BellidoBrittany BradfordSirena BrettMark CarrolChristopher F. CostaEmily DyerDylan Reilly FitzpatrickEliza FossKhaya FraitesNeil HellegersJohnny HellerCary HiteAlyssa KeyneNathan LangJamilah Lewis-HortonEric LockleyTim LounibosMax MeyersRobb MoreiraGeorge NewbernChloe NosanGuy OldfieldAngel PeanJo Anna PerrinJennifer PickensJohn PirhallaImani Jade PowersJoshua QuinnShannon RaffertyAndre SantanaVerna ShambleeCanyon SillimanRebecca SolerVictoria VillarealSteve WagnerEmma Paige WestEunice WongLandon WoodsonMia WurgaftJon YagedA Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

  Show book