Other books that might interest you

• 

  The Italian City-States -...

  Harris Ropes

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  The Italian city-states emerged as powerful economic, political, and cultural centers during the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. Unlike the feudal kingdoms of northern Europe, Italy developed a unique system of independent cities, each governed by its own political structure. These city-states, including Florence, Venice, Milan, and Genoa, thrived due to their strategic locations, economic prosperity, and the weakening of feudalism. Their rise laid the foundation for the Renaissance, a period of unprecedented artistic and intellectual achievement. 
  One of the key factors behind the growth of the Italian city-states was the decline of feudalism. In much of Europe, feudal lords controlled vast territories, but in Italy, urban centers gained power as trade and commerce flourished. The weakening of the Holy Roman Empire’s authority in the region allowed cities to assert their independence. Many city-states established their own governments, often ruled by merchant families or oligarchies rather than hereditary monarchs. This shift created a political climate that encouraged innovation, diplomacy, and economic expansion. 
  Geography also played a crucial role in the rise of these city-states. Italy’s position in the Mediterranean made it a central hub for trade between Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Cities like Venice and Genoa developed extensive maritime trade networks, importing luxury goods such as silk and spices while exporting textiles and banking services. The wealth generated from commerce enabled these cities to fund artistic and architectural projects, further elevating their cultural status.

  Show book

• 

  Janet Roth: Extremely Analytical

  Janet Roth

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Janet Roth bares all in a blistering stand-up special about marriage, Millennial dating and living in LA. And she won't spare you the details.

  Show book

• 

  Ten Telecaster Tales - Liner...

  Rik Emmett

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Ten Telecaster Tales remakes the idea of the “concept album.” It is music that arrives inside a book. It’s also, arguably, the most comprehensive attempt at liner notes in the history of electric instrumental fingerstyle guitar albums.
  		 
  In his latest offering, Rik Emmett delves into the creative process — the roots, influences, philosophy, and spirituality involved in writing and recording. Even the story behind these stories explores creativity. (Emmett dreamed of then commissioned a guitar — a one-of-a-kind Telecaster-style guitar — then wrote and recorded with and for it.)
  		 
  Playfully, beautifully, Ten Telecaster Tales lays bare an artistic journey in an act of discovery — that the storytelling inherent in writing good musical compositions translates into good storytelling about the process behind the songs, and how compositions turn into recordings. A generous amount of fairy-tale mythology is sprinkled throughout — despite the whole process being assimilated by digital technology. The notion of a “telecaster tale” implies something “vintage” at its heart, and it is humanity that glues the layers together.
  		 
  Principally, though, Ten Telecaster Tales is the next logical step for Emmett after publishing his memoir, Lay It On The Line. It represents the evolution of his life story into a combination of musical composition, guitar playing, and prose. After all, writing has always been the solid backbone and lifeline of his multi-faceted journey.

  Show book

• 

  Indiana Jones and Philosophy -...

  Dean A. Kowalski

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  If adventure has a name, it must be Indiana Jones! He's both a mild-mannered archaeology professor and an intrepid adventurer traversing the globe in search of lost artifacts. Whether seeking the Ark of the Covenant in Egypt, the Sankara Stones in India, the Holy Grail in Turkey, or a mysterious crystal skull in Peru, Indy's adventures never fail to delight audiences. 
   
   
   
  Indiana Jones and Philosophy takes you on a whirlwind journey to investigate some of the most enduring questions about the human condition. You'll learn about how Indy has wronged Marion Ravenwood, how a virtuous person would make amends, the strides Indy makes to repair his relationship with his father, why Indy distinguishes fact from truth when he pursues archaeological treasures, and much more. With trusty guides such as Aristotle, Camus, Kant, and Nietzsche at your side, you'll consider possible answers to these questions and see Indiana Jones in a whole new light! 
   
   
   
  Comprehensive, immersive, and engaging, Indiana Jones and Philosophy offers you an accessible and lively opportunity to dive deeper into the world of Indiana Jones and appreciate the character's greatness anew!

  Show book

• 

  Tenet - The Ultimate Trivia...

  Film Trivia Metaverse

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  TENET 
  THE ULTIMATE TRIVIA COLLECTION 
    
  FROM THE MOVIE DIRECTED BY CHRISTOPHER NOLAN 
    
  CREATED BY FILM TRIVIA METAVERSE 
    
  ABOUT THE FILM 
  Tenet is a 2020 science fiction action-thriller directed by Christopher Nolan. The film follows a secret agent, known only as the Protagonist, who is recruited by a mysterious organization called Tenet. Tasked with preventing a global catastrophe, he learns to manipulate time through "inversion," a process that reverses the entropy of objects and people. As the Protagonist teams up with his enigmatic ally, Neil, they navigate a complex world of espionage, time manipulation, and hidden agendas. The film explores themes of fate, free will, and the cyclical nature of time, all wrapped in high-octane action sequences and mind-bending concepts. 
    
  TRIVIA SAMPLES: 
    
  “Filming the car chase sequence took three weeks and required the crew to close off eight kilometers of a six-lane highway in Tallinn. Cars were shot moving both forward and in reverse during the chase.” 
    
  “When the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States in spring 2020, the film's score was about eighty-percent finished. The main effect was on an orchestral session that was scheduled for April, which was completed later by individual recordings of musicians at their homes.” 
    
  “Actor Robert Pattinson shared that there was much secrecy around the project before its release. He could only read the script in a locked office at Warner Bros. studios. Michael Caine, his co-star, wasn't allowed to read the entire screenplay, only his scenes. Caine admitted he had no idea what the movie was about.”

  Show book

• 

  Smart Pop Explains Marvel Movies...

  The Editors of Smart Pop

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Who is Iron Man? What’s an Infinity Stone? When did Captain America become the first Avenger? Why does everyone love Loki even though he’s a bad guy?It’s easy for new fans to get overwhelmed by the sprawling mythology and complexity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which now spans more than 20 films and TV shows. Unlike encyclopedias and guides that offer diehard fans trivia, details, and deep dives into every on-screen moment, this first-of-its-kind explainer is an easy, fun, and accessible introduction to the hundreds of characters, plots, and interconnected stories that make up one of the greatest pop-culture franchises of all time.  Do you want to enjoy Spider-Man, but don’t quite know what a Skrull is? Maybe you know that it was Agatha all along, but did aybe WandaVision leave you wondering about the multiverse of madness?  Do you need a primer on Thor’s backstory so you can grasp how The God of Thunder became friends with The Guardians of the Galaxy? Or, maybe you just want to be able to join in when everyone shouts out “Wakanda Forever!”If you’re looking for an easy to access entry into what literally everyone is talking about, this is the book for you! As the perfect and unauthorized resource to keep on hand when watching something for the first—or tenth—time, Smart Pop Explains Marvel Movies and TV Shows like no one else could.

  Show book