Other books that might interest you

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  Ancient Greece’s Most Famous...

  Editors Charles River

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  In ancient Greece, “no other practice was so universal than the consultation of oracles.” These holy sites were found in 260 locations around the Greek-speaking world, and they were considered the “most satisfactory means of ascertaining the future.” These sanctuaries were “set apart from the profane, ordinary world” and were in the beginning restricted to natural locations where the divine was thought to be “especially present.” They were set aside for special spiritual functions, and a state of purity was generally required of its participants. A historical tendency toward providing haven for criminals was based on the fear of shedding blood in a holy place, and the “fear that the evil magic would emanate from his curse.” 
  The Oracle of Delphi was one of the greatest religious institutions in Greece and one which played a significant role not only in the formation and collective decisions of Hellenic localities and city-states but also in the personal lives of Greeks known and unknown. The site was dedicated to the god Apollo, and the Greeks believed the god spoke his oracles through his prophetess known as the Pythia. The judgments and decisions rendered by the oracle were so important to the Greeks that they often put them above all other interests, even security threats posed by the likes of the Persians, and Delphi was popular even amongst outsiders. Many authors of antiquity mention the oracle for one reason or another, and there even survive epigraphic collections that preserve the god’s words on stone. 
  The Oracle of Dodona was the oldest of all, and it was one of the few dedicated to Zeus and his consort goddess Dione. The oracular utterances heard at the oracles are generally referred to as “smokiness” in Greek, but at Dodona, the answers came in natural sounds and other peripheral phenomena.

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  Fighting for Jerusalem: The...

  Editors Charles River

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  When Israel captured East Jerusalem during the Six Day War in 1967, it established Jewish control over the city for the first time in nearly 2,000 years, and in many ways it brought a story full circle, as Jerusalem has witnessed some of history’s most important battles over the past 3,000 years. 
  	Over 2,500 years before the Six Day War, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II oversaw the expansion of the Neo-Babylonian Empire during the 7th and 6th centuries BCE, which placed him in conflict with Egypt and the ancient kingdom of Judah. His ruthless conquest of Judah resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem and the entire kingdom, and it ultimately earned him notoriety in the Old Testament, where he is mentioned in the books of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. The Assyrians also exiled the Jews.  
  The Siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE is arguably the most important event in Jewish history. First, it was the central battle in the First Jewish-Roman war. Second, the failure of the siege on the Jewish side resulted in the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem, a disaster that would eventually prove both permanent and catastrophic, since it was never rebuilt. 
  Of the many campaigns during the Middle Ages, few are as remarkable or seemingly impossible to win at the start as the First Crusade (1095-99), and the true crowning achievement of that crusade, which resulted in two centuries of Western European Christian states in the Middle East and the permanent firing of the European imagination, was the conquest of Jerusalem on July 15, 1099 after three weeks of siege.  
  	In the wake of the Crusades, Jerusalem’s status would change fairly frequently until the establishment of the Ottoman Empire, but that would make the region a flashpoint during World War I. When the Ottoman Empire dissolved following the Great War, Jerusalem became one of the 20th century’s most important political issues.

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  The Healing Tree - An Adoptee's...

  Danielle Gaudette

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  "Our adopted angel"-that's what Danielle's adoptive parents called her. She grew up adored, doted on, and unconditionally loved. It wasn't until she was in college that she first felt a gnawing curiosity about her roots. From time to time, she would wonder: Where did this face come from? Where did this body come from? Where did this blood come from? Her search to find her biological parents had begun -one full of surprises and revelations. 
  After reuniting with her birth mother and uncovering the primal wound that lay deep within her-Danielle embarks on a twenty-year healing journey of self-discovery, reconciliation, and forgiveness. 
  At once a heartfelt memoir and a guide to self-awareness, Healing Tree offers a compassionate exploration of self, family, and what it means to be whole. Rooted in her twenty-year practice in Body & Brain holistic mind/body techniques, Danielle offers an approachable eight-step method for anyone wishing to heal from emotional or psychological wounds. This method invites readers to cultivate a loving relationship with their authentic selves and charts a pathway to inner peace. 
  For anyone who feels stuck, hurt, or rudderless in the sea of life, for anyone interested in doing the deep work of self-healing, becoming liberated, and realizing the potential to heal beyond themselves, Healing Tree is a source of direction, inspiration, and hope.

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  Crucible by Arthur Miller The...

  Bright Summaries

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  Unlock the more straightforward side of The Crucible with this concise and insightful summary and analysis!This engaging summary presents an analysis of The Crucible by Arthur Miller, a vivid allegory of the mass hysteria that swept through the town of Salem during the Salem Witch Trials. In spite of its historical subject matter, the play was chillingly topical at the time it was written: the 1950s were marked by McCarthyism, where accusations of Communism were rife and many Americans (including Miller himself) were hauled before the House Un-American Activities Committee to answer for their behaviour. Arthur Miller is considered one of the most influential dramatists of the 20th century, and The Crucible was one of his best-known plays. It remains popular today, and new productions of the play are frequently performed.Find out everything you need to know about The Crucible in a fraction of the time!This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you:• A complete plot summary• Character studies• Key themes and symbols• Questions for further reflectionWhy choose BrightSummaries.com?Available in print and digital format, our publications are designed to accompany you on your reading journey. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.See the very best of literature in a whole new light with BrightSummaries.com!

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  Terrible Beauty - Reckoning with...

  Auden Schendler

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  Something's gone badly awry with environmentalism. We faithfully separate our waste into different streams, but wonder whether it really makes a difference. Global companies announce their commitment to carbon negativity while simultaneously sponsoring oil conferences. American businesses, communities, and individuals assiduously measure their carbon footprints, then implement voluntary emissions-reduction programs, all while trumpeting their do-gooderism. 
   
   
   
  The problem is, none of this—whether individual efforts or corporate sustainability tactics—will make a dent in solving the civilizational threat of climate change. We only pretend it will, at our peril. 
   
   
   
  As Auden Schendler argues in this provocative, powerful book, we're living a big green lie. The hard truth is that much of the modern environmental road map could have been written by the fossil fuel industry specifically to avoid disrupting the status quo. But there is another truth: while ineffective or duplicitous environmentalism has become standard practice, we all have friends and family we love and care about, whose future depends on solving the problem of climate change. Conscience tells us we have an obligation to repair the world. How can our common dreams be so at odds with our daily practice? And how might we meld our spirit and our passion to create a better future?

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  Courage to Exist The: A Journey...

  Henry J. Howes

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  Description: The Courage to Exist: A Journey Through Humanism and Freedom 
  This inspiring topic explores the profound themes of human courage, self-discovery, and the pursuit of freedom. It delves into the essence of humanism, emphasizing the intrinsic value and dignity of each individual. The journey is framed around the challenges of existence, the courage required to confront life’s uncertainties, and the triumph of embracing personal freedom. 
  Key themes include:Humanism as a Foundation: Understanding the principles of empathy, equality, and respect for human potential.The Struggles of Existence: Addressing existential challenges and finding meaning in adversity.Freedom as a Journey: Exploring the paths to personal liberation and self-empowerment.Courage in Action: Highlighting examples of resilience and bravery in the face of life's trials.A Universal Connection: How humanism and freedom resonate across cultures, fostering unity and progress. 
  This topic serves as a motivational beacon, encouraging individuals to embrace their authentic selves and forge their paths with courage and conviction.

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