Other books that might interest you

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  The Public Purpose of Art

  Arlene Goldbard

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  We’re on the cusp of a paradigm shift, a radical change in worldview that will thrust art and culture onto center stage. What does that mean? How will the world be different? What is the rising spirit of the times and how is it being expressed in art? Arlene Goldbard says, “I have this overwhelming image of energy gathering force and taking shape.” She likens this force to a wave and says, “No one masterminds a wave, ordering all the drops of water into line. Many independent forces operate simultaneously – wind, gravity, disturbances of all kinds – and somehow, the wave mounts.” In this dialogue we explore this mounting force and what’s opposing this rolling tide. (hosted by Justine Willis Toms)

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  Egyptian Religious Festivals and...

  Omar Khalil

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  Religious festivals in ancient Egypt were not just moments of worship but essential aspects of social, political, and spiritual life. These celebrations brought communities together, reaffirmed the divine authority of the pharaoh, and ensured the continued favor of the gods. Through elaborate ceremonies, processions, and offerings, Egyptians demonstrated their devotion while reinforcing the cosmic order, known as Ma’at. 
  Religion was deeply woven into the fabric of daily life, and festivals provided opportunities for the people to express their reverence for the gods beyond routine temple rituals. Many celebrations coincided with agricultural cycles, aligning the will of the gods with the prosperity of the land. The inundation of the Nile, for example, was both a natural and a divine event, prompting rituals to honor deities like Hapi, the god of the flood. The timing of major festivals was often determined by celestial events, linking human activities with the movement of the stars and planets. 
  The pharaoh played a crucial role in these religious festivities, acting as both a political leader and a divine intermediary. He was believed to be the earthly representative of the gods, ensuring the stability of Egypt by maintaining a strong connection with the divine realm. Many ceremonies included the pharaoh making offerings to the gods, participating in processions, or performing symbolic acts to renew his legitimacy and strength. One of the most significant of these was the Sed Festival, a grand event that reaffirmed the ruler’s divine right to govern. Through public participation in such festivals, the people reaffirmed their trust in the pharaoh’s ability to maintain cosmic balance.

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  The exciting world of volcanoes

  KidsChoice

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  KidsChoice: World knowledge for Children is an engaging audiobook series that takes young listeners on a fascinating journey to explore and understand the world around them. Aimed at curious children aged 7 to 99, this series dives into a variety of topics in science, society, and culture, making complex ideas accessible and exciting.  Each episode brings a unique theme to life—whether exploring the mysteries of space, uncovering the secrets of the human body, or discovering the diversity of cultures and traditions worldwide. With lively narration, interesting facts, and interactive elements, the series guides young listeners on an adventure full of discovery, encouraging them to ask questions and expand their understanding in a fun way.  In the scientific world of KidsChoice, children learn about the wonders of nature and the universe. Concepts like the solar system, animal behavior, the human body, and Earth's various ecosystems are explained in a way that is easy for kids to grasp and find fascinating. Exciting analogies and vivid examples help spark curiosity, turning learning into an adventure.  Societal topics also have a special place in the series. KidsChoice introduces young listeners to the basics of community, compassion, and making a positive impact. Children learn what it means to be a good citizen and how they can make small, meaningful contributions to their communities.  Additionally, KidsChoice opens a window to the vibrant world of global cultures. Through a virtual journey around the globe, children discover how people in other countries live, the customs and traditions they follow, the languages they speak, and the foods they enjoy. This fosters understanding and respect for diverse ways of life, celebrating the richness of human experience as a beautiful, valuable part of the world.  With its vivid language and captivating soundscapes, "KidsChoice: World knowledge for Children" turns learning into an exciting experience, sparking a lifelong curiosity and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

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  Richard Sorge: The Life and...

  Editors Charles River

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  Spies are a feature of countless works of fiction in which they often discover secrets on which the fate of nations hang in the balance. Reality is generally rather more mundane, as spies often gather low-level intelligence that only makes sense when it is examined by analysts and compared to information from other sources. Espionage provides clues to what the enemy is planning, but on its own, it rarely changes the course of a war. Moreover, real spies are generally anonymous, not the bold, swashbuckling action heroes depicted in fiction. Spies must hide in plain sight, and that is best achieved by being as innocuous as possible.  
  	However, there are exceptions. Occasionally, a spy will be so successful that they are able to place themselves in a position where they have access to information at the highest levels, secrets that really can change the course of world events. Sometimes, these spies may even be as handsome, charming, charismatic, and bold as their fictional counterparts. 
  	One such spy was a man named Richard Sorge. Experiencing the horrors of World War I at first-hand turned Sorge into an ardent communist, after which he worked as a spy for the USSR in Germany, China, and Japan before and during World War II. He obtained vital military and political secrets and maintained his cover for over nine years despite frantic searches for the spy who was leaking information to Russia. His effortless charm meant that he didn’t need to steal secrets: people told him willingly, including the many women that he seduced.

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  Story 1: The Delights of Sean Jr...

  Snuggie Bobo

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  Sean Jr. had a tough life—as his mother told him, he had the ‘forbidden illness’: lusting for men. His uncle took him in, yet Sean lived a criminal lifestyle ingrained in the family business. Thug life meant trouble was Sean’s middle name; the drugs and jail did not help much either.
   
  Now Sean had two loving parents. Yet his uncle was in conflict, wanting to protect Sean from the evils of their family’s work while disapproving of his player lifestyle. Meanwhile, the body count from their criminal exploits continued to rise.

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  The Last Jews of Eastern Europe

  Yale Strom

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  In striking photography and informative text, this volume both celebrates and mourns Eastern European Jewish life of the early- to mid-twentieth century.From Odessa to Budapest, Warsaw, Prague, and Sarajevo, the Jews of Eastern Europe established thriving, traditional communities . And while there are still proud Jews who keep the Kehilla robust in the region, they are a shadow of their former glory. In The Last Jews of Eastern Europe, Yale Strom and photographer Brian Blue record a way of life that largely disappeared through the torment, violence, and upheaval of the twentieth century. Through the USSR, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria, this volume records the three great blows to Eastern European Jewry: the historical persecution of the Jews who suffered the envy of their neighbors; the slaughter of millions during World War II; and the loss of those who accepted the aliyah to Israel. It also records how the Jews of Eastern Europe laugh, weep, and sing.

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