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  The Qin Dynasty - Unifying China

  Jun Liu

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  The Qin state emerged as one of the most formidable powers during the Warring States Period, a time of intense conflict and political fragmentation in ancient China. Situated in the western frontier, Qin was once considered a relatively backward state compared to its eastern rivals. However, through strategic reforms, military innovations, and a firm commitment to Legalist principles, Qin transformed itself into the dominant force that would eventually unify China. 
  One of the key factors in Qin’s rise was the implementation of Legalist policies under the statesman Shang Yang. In the fourth century BCE, Shang Yang introduced a series of reforms that fundamentally reshaped Qin society. These policies emphasized strict laws, centralized authority, and merit-based advancements. Land ownership was restructured to allow farmers more direct control over their land, encouraging agricultural productivity and economic growth. At the same time, a rigid legal code was enforced, ensuring discipline among the population while diminishing the power of aristocratic families. By weakening the influence of hereditary nobles and promoting individuals based on their abilities, Shang Yang’s reforms created a more efficient and loyal administrative system that strengthened Qin’s central government. 
  The military advancements of Qin also played a crucial role in its ascendance. Unlike other states that relied heavily on noble warriors, Qin adopted a professional army system that allowed for greater discipline and efficiency. The state implemented mass conscription, ensuring a steady supply of soldiers trained under strict military codes. Advanced weaponry, including iron swords and crossbows, gave Qin troops a significant advantage on the battlefield. Additionally, the construction of an extensive road network allowed for rapid troop movements, enabling Qin forces to respond quickly to threats and expand their territorial control.

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  History of the Netherlands - The...

  Kelly Mass

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  This is a great package of several titles in one book. The topics are all related to the history of the Netherlands. Let’s take a look at the topics. 
  Early Dutch History: The Netherlands has a history that dates far back, even before Roman times. Let’s take a look at what happened during the times of the Romans. I remember visiting the Netherlands and visiting the city of Utrecht, a major hub in the central part of the country. 
  The Batavians: In this book, we will shed more light on the Batavians, a people in history with much bravery, innovation, and determination to form a republic with freedom for its citizens. The Republic of the 7 United Netherlands was followed by the Batavian Republic. 
  The Dutch Empire: The Dutch were all over the world. They "owned" and colonized a big portion of what was then the known world. They were among the first settlers, had the biggest haven and biggest fleet for some time. 
  The Eighty Years War: The war between the protestant Netherlands, mostly led by William of Orange, and Catholic Spain, was one of the marks in Dutch history. This war has determined the beliefs of many people who now live about the three rivers that go through the country: Most of the people north of the rivers are protestant, and most of the believers below them (even throughout Belgium as well) are Catholic. 
  The Golden Age: The Dutch Golden Era was a time in Dutch history varying circa from 1588 (the start of the Dutch Republic) to 1672 (the "Catastrophe Year"), throughout which Dutch trade, science, and art, and the Dutch armed force, were amongst the world's best.

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  Stephen King's Maine - A History...

  Sharon Kitchens

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  Much of Western Maine reads like a Stephen King novel. 
   
   
   
  The dense dark woods and backcountry ponds. The century-old houses with gravel driveways and immense flower gardens, acres of farmland miles from a highway. Serpentine country roads dotted with farmstands, and picturesque main streets lined with battered pickups. Places where—especially during the dark and rainy days of October and November—things can get downright spooky. 
   
   
   
  Author Sharon Kitchens identifies the locations that serve as the basis for King's fictional towns of Castle Rock, Jerusalem's Lot, Derry, and Haven. Drawing on historical materials and conversations with locals and people who know King, the author sheds light on daily life in places that would become the settings for Carrie, Salem's Lot, The Dead Zone, Cujo, IT, and 11/22/63.

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  Gay Sex Confessions Story...

  Rod Mandelli

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  This gay sex story collection contains six Gay Sex Confessions stories. Included are: 
  My Hot, Older Neighbor - Straight and smooth muscle stud Roy is about to find out how hot things can get on summer vacation when a hunky and hairy new neighbor in his 30's moves in across the street. Which will get "manhandled" more, the moving boxes or Roy? 
  Swimsuits Optional - Secretly gay Italian stud Joey has homosexual fantasies about his super-jock best friend, blonde-haired and blue-eyed Steve. With Steve leaving for vacation, Joey goes for an older substitute who believes that swimsuits should be optional. 
  Club Connection - Horny slut Jake cruises a gay club to find the man of his dirty dreams - a blue collar stud with a hairy chest, dark eyes, and something incredibly huge between his legs. 
  Texas Beef - Young college grad Shawn meets handsome Austin, a hard-partying cowboy from Texas. Austin's penchants for partying and sexual adventure lead him to give men permission to do whatever they want with his muscular body. 
  How To Get Out of a Speeding Ticket - As straight guy Jerry rushes home late, he gets pulled over on a deserted road by rough and tough Officer Harmon. Will Jerry give in to the police officer's sexual suggestions and let the hot cop have his way with him? 
  Best Friends Turn Into Lovers - When his shirtless best friend asks supposedly straight college student Chad to rub tanning oil on his back, will the truth about his gay fantasies finally come out?

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  A Short History of European Law...

  Tamar Herzog

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  A Short History of European Law brings to life 2,500 years of legal history, tying current norms to the circumstances of their conception. Tamar Herzog describes how successive legal systems built upon one another, from ancient times through the European Union. Roman law formed the backbone of each configuration, though the way it was used and reshaped varied dramatically from one century and place to the next. Only by considering Continental civil law and English common law together do we see how they drew from and enriched this shared tradition.

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  Ottoman Sieges of Vienna The:...

  Editors Charles River

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  In the wake of taking Constantinople, the Ottoman Empire would spend the next few centuries expanding its size, power, and influence, bumping up against Eastern Europe and becoming one of the world’s most important geopolitical players. It would take repeated efforts by various European coalitions to prevent a complete Ottoman takeover of the continent, and one of the most important battles among those efforts took place at Vienna in 1529. At the time, the Ottomans were led by one of their most famous sultans, Suleiman the Magnificent, and different chroniclers have analyzed Suleiman's behavior in different ways. There is a plethora of opinions as to his motives for attempting the takeover of Vienna, a well-guarded city far away from his empire's center. Had he intended to conquer the whole of the Holy Roman Empire? Had he intended to strengthen his borders? Had he acted in accordance with King Francis I’s needs in the West? No matter the reason, Suleiman did not halt in his advances, despite the fact circumstances were not favorable for the Ottomans.  
  	The long conflict between the Habsburgs and the Ottomans would finally come to a head in 1683 outside the city of Vienna, the center of Habsburg power in central Europe. It would be no exaggeration to say that the fighting around Vienna represented one of the most important battles not only in the conflict between Islam and Christendom, but in the entire history of the world. If the Habsburgs had lost that battle, it is highly likely that Islamic civilization rather than Christian would dominate much of Europe.

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