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  Same Ground - Chasing Family...

  Russell Wangersky

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  “Read him.” — George Elliott Clarke, author of I & I and George and Rue
  		 
  An award-winning author goes looking for the meaning of family and belonging on a glorious wild-goose-chase road trip across middle America
  		 
  Wangersky’s great-great-grandfather crossed the continent in search of gold in 1849. William Castle Dodge was his name, and he was 22 years old. He wrote a diary of that eventful journey that comes into the author’s hands 160 years later. And typically, quixotically, Wangersky decides to follow Dodge’s westward trail across the great bulging middle of America, not in search of gold but something even less likely: that elusive thing called family.
  		 
  What ensues becomes this story, by turns hilarious and profound, about a very long trip — by car, in Wangersky’s case, and on mule and foot in Dodge’s. Interweaving his experiences on the road with Dodge’s diary, the author contemplates the human need to hunt for roots and meaning as he — and Dodge — encounter immigrants who risk everything to be somewhere else, while only glimpsing those who are there already and who want to hold onto their claim in the stream of human migration.
  		 
  Same Ground is a story about what time washes away and what persists — and what we might find, unexpectedly, if we go looking.

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  The Art of the Delusion

  Marcus Reed

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  The Art of the Delusion is a meditation on power, image, and the quiet disappearance of truth beneath the glow of persuasion. In a world where confidence outweighs competence and charisma becomes currency, reality is no longer discovered — it’s negotiated. This book dissects the psychology of performance: how ambition turned into identity, how sincerity became spectacle, and how modern life taught us to sell versions of ourselves instead of understanding who we are. Written in lyrical, critical prose, it examines the new economy of illusion — where authenticity is curated, morality is optional, and the art of influence has replaced the pursuit of integrity.

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  City Livability - Enhancing...

  Lyric Vale

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  City livability refers to the quality of life experienced by individuals living in urban areas. It encompasses a wide range of factors that contribute to the overall well-being of urban residents, from physical infrastructure to social, economic, and environmental conditions. The livability of a city is shaped by its ability to provide access to essential services, promote a sense of community, ensure safety, and foster opportunities for growth and development. It is a reflection of how well a city meets the needs of its inhabitants, both in terms of their immediate surroundings and their broader quality of life. 
  At its core, livability is about the balance between convenience, comfort, and sustainability. In urban environments, where high population densities often lead to challenges such as congestion, pollution, and inequality, creating a livable city is crucial for ensuring that residents not only survive but thrive. It is not just about basic services such as healthcare, education, and transportation but also about creating spaces where people can connect, engage with their surroundings, and find opportunities for personal and professional fulfillment. 
  The concept of city livability is also deeply intertwined with urban planning and design. How a city is structured – its streets, buildings, parks, and neighborhoods – directly impacts its livability. A well-planned city can promote walkability, offer green spaces for recreation, reduce noise and air pollution, and ensure efficient access to transportation networks. Conversely, poorly designed cities may suffer from overcrowded and polluted areas, limited green spaces, and inadequate public infrastructure.

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  Nor Fish Nor Fowl: From Deckhand...

  Colin Yorke

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  In 1934, after five years travelling the world as a Merchant Seaman, my father, aged 21, enlisted in the British Royal Air Force to escape the Depression. Entering the Marine Branch, he swapped big ships for small fast boats - Seaplane Tenders, Armoured Target Boats and High Speed Launches. 
  In 1940, when the Air Sea Rescue service was formed, he joined the crew of High Speed Launch 102 (now fully restored and based at Portsmouth) as a Coxswain, stationed at Blyth. Three busy years on the "Spitfires of the Sea" followed, before his leg was "smashed" in heavy seas. 
  On recovery, he spent time in the Faroe Islands and in the English Channel, after "D-Day", and before being commissioned. The war's end found him in West Africa. After VJ Day he was demobbed, then recalled and posted to Egypt. 
  After a brief unhappy spell in "Civvy Street", he re-enlisted in the RAF as an acting corporal. First on the scene when HSL 2555 blew up, he was commended and subsequently carried the RAF ensign at the 1950 Battle of Britain celebrations in Paris, France. On return to the UK he was once again commissioned. 
  In Malta, during the Suez Crisis, he supervised a flying boat airlift of families and service personnel through Malta as the Canal Zone was evacuated. Later, serving in Cold War Germany, he skippered German boats with mixed German/British crews and was present when the Unit was handed back to the Germans. 
  In 1961, aged just 48, injuries forced his retirement from the RAF. 
  Now, fittingly narrated by my actor daughter, this book reveals a great deal of the little known story of the RAF Marine Branch, its boats and the life of a British serviceman's family in war and peace.

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  Mass Supervision - Probation...

  Vincent Schiraldi

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  We've heard a lot in recent years about the nearly 2.1 million people incarcerated in American prisons and jails. But what about the approximately four million more who are on probation and parole—monitored by the state at great expense and at risk of being sent to prison at the whim of a probation or parole officer for the least imaginable infraction? 
   
   
   
  Vincent Schiraldi was New York City probation commissioner under Mayor Bloomberg, supervising a system charged with monitoring 30,000 people on a daily basis. In Mass Supervision, he combines firsthand experience with deep research on the inadequately explored practices of probation and parole, to illustrate how these forms of state supervision have strayed from their original goal of providing constructive and rehabilitative alternatives to prison. They have become instead, Schiraldi argues, a "recidivism trap" for people trying to lead productive lives in the wake of a criminal conviction. 
   
   
   
  Schiraldi offers the first full and up-to-date account of these two key aspects of our criminal justice system, showing that these practices increase incarceration, have little impact on crime rates, and needlessly disrupt countless lives. Ultimately, he argues that they should be dramatically downsized or even abolished completely.

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  The Myths of the Maya - Cosmic...

  Julia Blacksmith

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  The Maya civilization, one of the most sophisticated and enduring cultures of Mesoamerica, flourished for thousands of years, leaving behind a rich legacy of myth, ritual, and cosmic understanding. Their world was deeply interconnected with the supernatural, where gods, spirits, and celestial forces played vital roles in everyday life. Through sacred texts, oral traditions, and intricate ceremonial practices, the Maya passed down their myths—stories that explained the origins of the universe, the struggles of gods and heroes, and the sacred cycles of time. These legends were not merely tales; they formed the foundation of their spiritual and societal structures, influencing everything from kingship to agriculture.  
  At the heart of Maya society was a profound connection between myth and ritual. Unlike many cultures that viewed myths as separate from daily life, the Maya saw them as living forces that required constant renewal through ceremonies, sacrifices, and offerings. Bloodletting, a sacred act performed by rulers and priests, was believed to nourish the gods and maintain cosmic balance. Grand pyramids and temple complexes, aligned with celestial events, served as sacred theaters where rituals reenacted the struggles of deities, ensuring harmony between the human and divine realms. The famous Popol Vuh, often regarded as the Maya "Book of Creation," recounts the epic journey of the Hero Twins as they navigate the treacherous underworld, triumphing over the forces of chaos and death. This myth, like many others, reflected the Maya’s deep understanding of duality, rebirth, and the cosmic order.  
  Deciphering Maya mythology has been a long and complex journey, shaped by archaeological discoveries, linguistic breakthroughs, and the resilience of indigenous communities.

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