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  Asian Mythology - Japanese and...

  Matthew Fillard

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  This book contains the following titles: 
  Japanese Mythology - Japanese mythology is a rich tapestry woven from the threads of ancient stories, religious beliefs, and cultural practices that have evolved over centuries. At its core, this mythology provides a window into the Japanese worldview, where nature, spirituality, and humanity are deeply interconnected. It reveals how the Japanese people have understood their place in the universe, the origins of their land, and the divine forces that shape their existence. 
  Korean Mythology - The unique characteristics of Korean mythology are closely tied to the geography and history of the region. The Korean Peninsula, surrounded by mountains, forests, and the sea, provided a fertile backdrop for the imagination of its people. Myths and legends often feature these elements as symbolic representations of life, death, and the balance of power between the human and the divine. From the founding myth of Dangun, the legendary progenitor of Korea, to the tales of celestial dragons and fox spirits, these stories capture the dynamic interplay between the mundane and the mystical. 

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  A Brief History of Timekeeping -...

  Chad Orzel

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  Predating written language and marching on through human history, the desire for ever-better timekeeping has spurred technological innovation and sparked theories that radically reshaped our understanding of the universe and our place in it. 
   
   
   
  Chad Orzel, a physicist and bestselling author, continues his tradition of demystifying thorny scientific concepts by using the clocks and calendars central to our everyday activities as a jumping-off point to explore the science underlying the ways we keep track of our time. Ancient solstice markers depend on the basic astrophysics of our solar system; mechanical clocks owe their development to Newtonian physics; and the ultra-precise atomic timekeeping that enables GPS hinges on the predictable oddities of quantum mechanics. 
   
    
   
  Along the way, Orzel visits the delicate negotiations involved in Gregorian calendar reform, the intricate and entirely unique system employed by the Maya, and how the problem of synchronizing clocks at different locations ultimately required us to abandon the idea of time as an absolute and universal quantity. Sharp and engaging, A Brief History of Timekeeping is a story not just about the science of sundials, sandglasses, and mechanical clocks, but also the politics of calendars and time zones, the philosophy of measurement, and the nature of space and time itself.

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  Urban Disaster Management -...

  Lyric Vale

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  Urban disasters have become an increasingly pressing concern as the world continues to urbanize at an unprecedented rate. Cities, once seen as bastions of opportunity and progress, are now at the forefront of vulnerability to both natural and human-made catastrophes. The rapid growth of urban populations, coupled with poorly planned infrastructure and environmental challenges, has created a precarious landscape where the impact of disasters can be catastrophic. 
  One of the primary drivers of urban disaster risk is the sheer scale of urbanization. By 2050, it is estimated that nearly 70% of the world’s population will reside in urban areas. This rapid urban migration often leads to the expansion of informal settlements, where millions live in overcrowded conditions with inadequate access to basic services such as clean water, sanitation, and healthcare. These areas, typically located in hazard-prone zones like floodplains and unstable hillsides, are particularly vulnerable to disasters. When disasters strike, the lack of preparedness and resilience in these communities amplifies the loss of life and property. 
  Climate change further exacerbates the threat of urban disasters. Rising global temperatures are intensifying the frequency and severity of natural hazards, such as hurricanes, floods, heatwaves, and wildfires. Coastal cities, home to millions, face increasing risks from sea level rise and storm surges, threatening vital infrastructure and displacing large populations. Additionally, the interconnected nature of urban systems means that the failure of one critical system, such as electricity or transportation, can cascade into widespread disruptions, leaving cities paralyzed in the wake of a disaster.

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  England’s Entry into North...

  Editors Charles River

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  Nearly 20 years before Jamestown was settled, the English established one of the earliest colonies in North America around the Chesapeake Bay region, until the colony had over 100 inhabitants. Like other early settlements, Roanoke struggled to survive in its infancy, to the extent that the colony’s leader, John White, sailed back to England in 1587 in an effort to bring more supplies and help. However, the attempts to bring back supplies were thwarted by the Spanish in the midst of the Anglo-Spanish War going on at the time, and it was not until 1590 that White reached Roanoke again. What White found when he came back to Roanoke led to one of the most enduring mysteries in American history. Despite the fact he had left over 100 people in Roanoke in 1587, White returned to literally nothing. 
  	Jamestown is fondly remembered today for being the first permanent English settlement in the colonies, but it was not fondly remembered by those who lived and died there. The English quickly learned it would be difficult to establish a permanent settlement because of the poor weather, the swampy terrain, the hostile natives living nearby, and the general inexperience and ineptitude of the English settlers. During their first winter, everyone nearly starved, and more than half of the settlers died. By the end of the winter of 1609-1610, known as the “starving time”, barely 10% of the settlers were still alive.  
  	Though the Virginian colonists had difficulty in the beginning, by the late 1620s the Chesapeake area was thriving, having become a haven for those seeking economic opportunity in the new world. Pressures in England were growing as King Charles I was on the throne. Though Charles I himself was an Anglican, many suspected him of Catholic sympathies, a suspicion not alleviated by Charles I marriage to a French Catholic princess.

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  The Language of the Night -...

  Ursula K. Le Guin

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  Featuring a new introduction by Ken Liu, this revised edition of Ursula K. Le Guin’s first full-length collection of essays covers her background as a writer and educator, her thoughts on writing, and her commentary on literary science fiction and fantasy and their future. 
   
  “We like to think we live in daylight, but half the world is always dark; and fantasy, like poetry, speaks the language of the night.”—URSULA K. Le GUIN 
   
  Le Guin’s sharp and witty voice is on full display in this collection of twenty-four essays, revised by the author a decade after its initial publication in 1979. The collection covers a wide range of topics and Le Guin’s origins as a writer, her advocacy for science fiction and fantasy as mediums for true literary exploration, the writing of her own major works such as A Wizard of Earthsea and The Left Hand of Darkness, and her role as a public intellectual and educator. The book and each thematic section are brilliantly introduced and contextualized by Susan Wood, a professor at the University of British Columbia and a literary editor and feminist activist during the 1960s and ’70s. 
   
  A fascinating, intimate look into the exceptional mind of Le Guin, whose insights remain as relevant and resonant today as when they were first published.

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  Agrippa I: Loyal Roman or...

  Elizabeth Legge

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  Agrippa I: Loyal Roman or Planning a Rebellion? — A Forensic and Political Investigation of Agrippa I: Loyal Roman, Rebel King, or Something in Between 
  This presents the complete script of the author's thesis defence, originally delivered at the conclusion of Master's degree in Classical Archaeology at the University of Pisa. The thesis was awarded the distinction of cum laude and reflects an interdisciplinary exploration of historical, political, archaeological, and medical perspectives. 
  Based on the author's original 750-page dissertation, this defence examines the complex figure of Agrippa I—grandson of Herod the Great and client king of Judea under Roman rule. Was Agrippa a loyal Roman statesman, a potential rebel, or a cunning political survivor? 
  Using a critical approach to ancient literary sources, archaeological evidence, and modern historiography, the work explores:The material and political landscape of Agrippa's reignHis diplomatic positioning between Roman and Judean authoritiesThe recorded symptoms and political consequences of his sudden deathThe forensic plausibility of poisoning as a causeCompeting narratives of loyalty, betrayal, and legacy in the first century CE 
  Both accessible and intellectually grounded, the content is ideal for readers interested in Roman history, ancient politics, and the enduring questions of allegiance and power in antiquity.

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