Publisher: Publishdrive
I’m caught enjoying myself on dog-walk by my younger neighbors Aden and Gemma. She helps me finish and then insists we do the same for Aden. Read about the fun we have getting him to the edge, right before I pull out his love all over his girlfriend’s face!
When Samuel Townsend died at his home in Madison County, Alabama, in November 1856, the fifty-two-year-old white planter left behind hundreds of slaves, thousands of acres of rich cotton land, and a net worth of approximately $200,000. In life, Samuel had done little to distinguish himself from other members of the South's elite slaveholding class. But he made a name for himself in death by leaving almost the entirety of his fortune to his five sons, four daughters, and two nieces: all of them his slaves. In this deeply researched, movingly narrated portrait of the extended Townsend family, R. Isabela Morales reconstructs the migration of this mixed-race family across the American West and South over the second half of the nineteenth century. Searching for communities where they could exercise their newfound freedom and wealth to the fullest, members of the family homesteaded and attended college in Ohio and Kansas; fought for the Union Army in Mississippi; mined for silver in the Colorado Rockies; and, in the case of one son, returned to Alabama to purchase part of the old plantation where he had once been held as a slave. In Morales's telling, the Townsends' story maps a new landscape of opportunity and oppression, where the meanings of race and freedom—as well as opportunities for social and economic mobility—were dictated by highly local circumstances.Show book
Japanese folklore is a vast and intricate tapestry woven from centuries of myths, legends, and supernatural tales. Rooted in the country’s deep connection to nature, spirituality, and tradition, these stories have shaped Japan’s cultural identity, influencing art, literature, and everyday customs. Whether passed down through oral traditions, ancient scrolls, or kabuki theater, these folktales continue to capture the imagination of generations. They offer not just entertainment but also profound lessons on morality, resilience, and the unseen forces that shape human lives. At the core of Japanese mythology are the kami, divine spirits or gods that inhabit all aspects of existence, from towering mountains to small household objects. Shintoism, the indigenous belief system of Japan, revolves around the reverence of these spirits, which often play central roles in legendary tales. Stories of deities such as Amaterasu, the radiant sun goddess, and Susanoo, the wild storm god, illustrate the balance of harmony and chaos, creation and destruction. These myths offer insight into the spiritual foundation of Japan and the ways in which its people have long sought to explain the world around them. Beyond the gods and celestial myths, Japanese folklore is rich with spirits, ghosts, and yokai—supernatural creatures that range from mischievous to terrifying. Some, like the playful kitsune (fox spirits) and shape-shifting tanuki (raccoon dogs), serve as tricksters who blur the line between good and evil. Others, such as the vengeful onryō, are restless spirits that return to haunt the living, often as a consequence of betrayal or tragedy. These ghostly tales have influenced everything from traditional Noh theater to modern horror films, keeping the eerie legacy of Japan’s supernatural folklore alive.Show book
Winner of the Pushkin House Book Prize 2023 *A Telegraph Book of the Year* A Times Best Book of Summer 2023 *Shortlisted for the Parliamentary Book Awards* An astonishing investigation into the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war – from the corridors of the Kremlin to the trenches of Mariupol. The Russo-Ukrainian War is the most serious geopolitical crisis since the Second World War – and yet at the heart of the conflict is a mystery. Vladimir Putin apparently lurched from a calculating, subtle master of opportunity to a reckless gambler, putting his regime – and Russia itself – at risk of destruction. Why? Drawing on over 25 years’ experience as a correspondent in Moscow, as well as his own family ties to Russia and Ukraine, journalist Owen Matthews takes us through the poisoned historical roots of the conflict, into the Covid bubble where Putin conceived his invasion plans in a fog of paranoia about Western threats, and finally into the inner circle around Ukrainian president and unexpected war hero Volodimir Zelensky. Using the accounts of current and former insiders from the Kremlin and its propaganda machine, the testimony of captured Russian soldiers and on-the-ground reporting from Russia and Ukraine, Overreach tells the story not only of the war’s causes but how the first six months unfolded. With its panoramic view, Overreach is an authoritative, unmissable record of a conflict that shocked Europe to its core. In Overreach, Owen Matthews masterfully unravels the complex tapestry of history, geopolitics, and conflicts that have defined the Soviet Union. This top-tier work is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the wars and crimes that have shaped our world. For fans of Simon Scarrow (The Honour of Rome), Antony Beevor (Russia), Bill Browder (Orden de embargo. Una historia real de blanqueo de dinero, asesinatos y...), Mark Galeotti (Russia’s Wars in Chechnya), and Robert Peston (WTF?). HarperCollins 2022Show book
July 3, 1981, was a pivotal night for the future of America's newest art form: hip hop. In New York's Harlem World Club, the Fantastic Romantic Five and the Cold Crush Brothers competed, with an unprecedented $1,000 on the line in a highly anticipated rap battle. The show drew hundreds of fans to settle a question that still dominates hip hop circles: Who's the best? In Harlem World, journalist Jonathan Mael chronicles this fateful night of hip hop rivalry and shares a new look at how Harlem helped ignite a musical revolution. Since hip hop first emerged in New York in the early 1970s, artists sought to elevate this uniquely American musical genre by pushing the limits of record-playing techniques and lyricism. The two crews they assembled put on the best shows in a world where hip hop was still a strictly live art form. The battle blew the roof off Harlem World that night, and bootlegged cassette tapes of the match-up sent aftershocks around the city as more fans listened to the legendary performances. Set in the New York of the 1970s and '80s, this book shares dozens of new, exclusive interviews and a treasure trove of previously unpublished archival material to tell the story of Cold Crush and Fantastic's rivalry, documenting one of the most important stories in hip hop history.Show book
Norse mythology is a rich tapestry of tales, beliefs, and traditions that played a crucial role in the cultural, social, and spiritual life of the Norse people. Emerging from the ancient Scandinavian regions, Norse mythology provides insights into how the Norse viewed the world, their gods, and their place in the cosmos. This mythology is not only a collection of stories but also a reflection of the values, beliefs, and practices that defined the Norse way of life. In Norse culture, mythology served multiple functions. It provided explanations for natural phenomena, such as thunder, lightning, and the changing seasons. For instance, the god Thor was often associated with storms and fertility, symbolizing the life-giving power of rain. Myths were integral to the Norse understanding of the world around them, framing their experiences and guiding their actions. Moreover, mythology reinforced social values and norms. Tales of heroic deeds, such as those of Beowulf or Sigurd the Dragon Slayer, exemplified ideals of bravery, loyalty, and honor. These narratives served as moral compasses, instructing individuals on how to navigate the complexities of life. The importance of kinship, courage in battle, and the pursuit of glory were emphasized through these stories, shaping the identities of both individuals and communities.Show book
Life, death and love - 5 February 1969 • What is it that we call living? • How can a confused mind find somebody who will tell the truth? • When there is no comparison, no opposite, you are actually faced with the fact of anger, then is there anger? • Without knowing what sorrow is, understanding its nature and structure, we shall not know what love is. • What is it to die? • One is never afraid of the unknown; one is afraid of the known coming to an bend. • It is only the mind that has shed all its burdens every day, ended every problem, that is an innocent mind. Then life has a different meaning altogether. Then one can find out what love is."Show book
