Other books that might interest you

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  Inside Qatar - Hidden Stories...

  John McManus

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  An intimate portrait of life in the world’s richest nation ahead of the FIFA 2022 World Cup. 
   
  Just 70 years ago, the Gulf nation of Qatar was a backwater, reliant on pearl diving. Today it is a gas-laden parvenu with seemingly limitless wealth and ambition. Skyscrapers, museums and futuristic football stadiums rise out of the desert and Ferraris race through the streets. But in the shadows, migrant workers toil in the heat for risible amounts. 
   
  INSIDE QATAR reveals how real people live in this surreal place, a land of both great opportunity and great iniquity. Ahead of Qatar’s time in the limelight as host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, anthropologist John McManus lifts a lid on the hidden worlds of its gilded princes, manual labourers and domestic workers, its teachers and policemen, culture vultures and thrill seekers. 
   
  “A stunning exposé... A social anthropologist by trade, McManus's focus is not on the secretive intrigues of Qatar's ruling family, but on the lives of ordinary people... McManus is an engaging writer, who can bring even anonymous interviewees to life.” TELEGRAPH

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  The Grey Soul of London - An...

  Robert Kingham

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  ‘He who cannot find wonder, mystery, awe, the sense of a new world and an undiscovered realm in the places by the Gray’s Inn Road will never find those secrets elsewhere.’ – Arthur Machen 
  The Grey Soul of London is an audio guided tour. Robert Kingham takes a walk across the worn and hollowed stones of the Angel and Clerkenwell districts of London in search of places that inspired the writer Arthur Machen (1863-1947). This was originally a historical guided tour commissioned for the Museum of London’s Urban Myths season in 2011. 
  The Grey Soul of London has now been rewritten and expanded for 2023, with incidental music by Rich Cochrane. Everything you need in terms of directions and instructions is contained within the audio narrative, so you can just listen and walk. If you want, you can also find a map of the walk online at minimumlabyrinth.org, plus a picture gallery illustrating some of the people, places and events mentioned. 
  ‘It is a district both devious and obscure, and I suppose that its twisting streets and unexpected squares of dusty trees will all come to ruin before they are intelligently explored.’ – Arthur Machen

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  Modernization and Reform - Den...

  Jun Liu

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  Deng Xiaoping’s rise to power is a tale marked by perseverance, political acumen, and the ability to navigate the turbulent political landscape of 20th-century China. Born in 1904 in the Sichuan province, Deng’s early life was shaped by his education in France, where he studied at the University of Paris. His exposure to Marxist ideas during this time laid the foundation for his later role in the Chinese Communist Party. Upon his return to China, Deng became an important figure in the party’s early years, rising through the ranks as a trusted leader. 
  Deng’s political career began during the Second Sino-Japanese War, where he served in key military roles, building his reputation as a capable leader. However, it was during the Chinese Civil War that Deng truly began to cement his place in the party hierarchy. His involvement in the revolution and his leadership of various military campaigns helped to solidify his standing as a rising star in the Communist Party. Despite the chaos and upheaval surrounding the war, Deng’s strategic thinking and leadership made him an indispensable figure in the fight against both the Japanese and later the Nationalists. 
  After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, Deng continued to rise through the ranks of the Communist Party, serving in various influential positions. However, his career was not without its setbacks. During the Cultural Revolution, a political movement led by Mao Zedong, Deng fell out of favor and was purged from his positions of power. He was sent to work on a farm, and his political influence was effectively diminished. Yet, despite these challenges, Deng’s political resilience would eventually lead to his return to power.

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  Tall Tales of Alaska Juneau AK -...

  W. R. Kozey

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  Juneau, Alaska, the gateway to the Alaskan gold rush. Tall Tales of Alaska: Juneau, AK whisks you away to the capital of Alaska when it was still an American territory. 
  The passage of time has transformed this once sleepy fishing village to a bustling pioneer gold mining town, and again into the renowned tourist destination that it is today-now welcoming nearly two million people every summer! Juneau’s rich history is unveiled. You'll discover sunken ships, find buried treasure, and even meet the ghost who haunts the Alaskan Hotel along the way! 
  This book is for you if you're a hungry history buff looking to uncover the secrets of Alaska or just excited to learn more about Juneau, a town that embodies the very best of the Last Frontier. 
  ... a delightful mix of spooky legends, historical anecdotes—such as the discovery of gold and the city's journey to becoming the capital … fun and entertaining way with a local flare! – Amazon Customer

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  Zhou Dynasty - Philosophy and...

  Rolf Hedger

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  The Zhou Dynasty emerged as a dominant force in ancient China following the decline of the Shang Dynasty. Its rise was marked by strategic alliances, military conquests, and the introduction of the Mandate of Heaven, a concept that would define Chinese rulership for centuries. The Zhou people, originally a semi-nomadic tribe living in the Wei River Valley, gradually expanded their influence through diplomacy and warfare, positioning themselves as challengers to Shang authority.  
  King Wen of Zhou played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for the dynasty’s ascent. A respected leader known for his wisdom and virtue, he strengthened alliances with neighboring tribes and promoted administrative reforms that would later become the foundation of Zhou governance. However, it was his son, King Wu, who ultimately led the military campaign that overthrew the Shang. The decisive battle took place at Muye around 1046 BCE, where the Zhou army, though numerically inferior, defeated the Shang forces due to superior strategy and the defection of many Shang soldiers who had grown discontented with their rulers. 
  Following their victory, the Zhou established a new political order centered around the Mandate of Heaven. This doctrine asserted that the right to rule was granted by divine authority, but it was not absolute—rulers had to govern justly and maintain moral integrity to retain legitimacy. If they failed, they could be overthrown, as had been the case with the Shang. This belief not only justified the Zhou conquest but also set a precedent for the dynastic cycle in China.

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  Skiing Around The World -...

  Owen Jones

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  Embark on a thrilling journey into the heart of extreme skiing with our exploration, Skiing Around The World. This book invites you to delve into the adrenaline-charged world of those who dare to defy gravity, pushing the boundaries of conventional skiing into uncharted territory. From the formidable slopes of Chamonix to the untouched powder of Alaska's vast wilderness, we unravel the tales of intrepid skiers navigating the steepest descents our planet has to offer. Join us as we venture into the back-country, where untracked snow and the raw beauty of nature set the stage for an exhilarating dance with gravity. Safety gear in hand and skills finely tuned, these thrill-seekers document their descents, sharing the heart-stopping moments and awe-inspiring landscapes through the lens of extreme skiing films. Skiing Around The World is your passport to the world of skiing, where every descent is a conquest, every slope a challenge, and every adventure an ode to the indomitable spirit of those who seek the thrill of the steepest descents on Earth. Get ready to experience the rush, the beauty, and the sheer audacity of extreme skiing like never before.

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