Altri libri che potrebbero interessarti

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  The Han Dynasty - Golden Age of...

  Jun Liu

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  The Han Dynasty, one of the most influential periods in Chinese history, emerged from the collapse of the Qin Dynasty in 206 BCE. After years of harsh rule under Qin Shi Huang, widespread unrest and rebellion led to the fall of the Qin. In the power vacuum that followed, Liu Bang, a commoner-turned-military leader, rose to prominence and ultimately established the Han Dynasty. His leadership and political acumen laid the foundation for a dynasty that would last over four centuries, shaping China’s governance, culture, and identity. 
  Liu Bang, later known as Emperor Gaozu, was originally a minor official under the Qin. Unlike his aristocratic rivals, he came from humble origins, making him a unique figure in Chinese history. As the Qin administration crumbled due to heavy taxation and forced labor policies, numerous factions vied for control. The most significant of these was the Chu-Han Contention, a prolonged struggle between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, a powerful general of noble descent. Liu Bang, known for his ability to rally support from various social classes, ultimately defeated Xiang Yu at the Battle of Gaixia in 202 BCE. This victory marked the official beginning of the Han Dynasty, with Liu Bang declaring himself emperor. 
  Once in power, Liu Bang sought to distance his rule from the harsh legalist policies of the Qin. He adopted a more lenient and pragmatic approach, blending Confucian ideals with centralized governance. Although he retained elements of Qin’s bureaucratic structure, he reduced the severity of laws and punishments, earning the trust of the people. To ensure stability, he granted land and titles to his loyal followers, creating a semi-feudal system that allowed regional kings to govern under the central authority of the emperor. This balance between centralization and decentralization was a defining characteristic of early Han rule.

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  Kindergarten at 60 - A Memoir of...

  Dian Seidel

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  Teaching kindergarten in Thailand wasn’t the job Dian Seidel had in mind when, at age sixty and craving adventure, she convinced her husband that they should try working abroad. But coping with rambunctious children, sweltering heat, and Covid-19 turned out to be the challenge she needed. Struggling to understand Thai culture, their school, and their marriage, could she learn Thailand’s essential lesson: mai pen rai, don’t worry, keep cool? 
  Part travel memoir and part second act story, the multiple award-winning Kindergarten at 60 is a retirement tale like none other. With gentle humor and polished prose, Seidel explores universal themes via the adventures of everyday life. Job-hunting retirees confront age restrictions. A couple navigates 24/7 togetherness for the first time in their lives. Professionals accustomed to working with adults are overwhelmed, and charmed, by a passel of two-, three-, and four-year-olds. An introvert struggles to forge cross-cultural and cross-generational friendships. Americans face the challenges of the five-tone Thai language and five-alarm Thai chilies. 
  Seidel’s heartwarming story offers a unique perspective on contemporary Thailand and introduces readers to an unforgettable cast of characters at Pathum Thani Prep. Join the journey, meet the kids, and experience Kindergarten at 60.

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  Conversations with a Deaf Cat

  Michael Durack

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  Conversations With a Deaf Cat is the story of how Yolande and Michael taught English on a Canadian Indian reservation and cared for Yolande's mother for five months in the Netherlands until her death from ALS. It also tells about Michael's experiences as a native English speaker in a home with people who tried not to speak English whenever possible.Michael and Yolande are English teachers and writers who travel the globe teaching non-English speaking students how to sound and write like native English speakers. Before teaching, Michael was a corporate manager and actor for thirty-odd years, while Yolande did almost everything (teaching, costuming, animal sheltering, etc.) Together, they have traveled all over the world and plan on continuing to do so until retirement (or partial retirement), whichever comes first. Michael also intends to keep writing, so be on the lookout for more stories about his adventures.

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  Thai Massage - Ancient Healing...

  Fiona Henderson

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  Thai massage, also known as Nuad Thai or Nuat Thai, has a rich history rooted in ancient traditions. It is believed to have been developed over 2,500 years ago in India by Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, a contemporary of the Buddha and a revered physician in Buddhist tradition. He is often referred to as the "father of medicine" in Thailand. As Buddhism spread to Thailand, so did the practices and principles of Thai massage. 
  The technique evolved over centuries, integrating influences from traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic practices, and indigenous Thai healing methods. Thai massage is distinct from other forms of massage due to its unique combination of acupressure, Indian Ayurvedic principles, and assisted yoga postures. It is performed on a mat on the floor, and the recipient remains fully clothed during the session. The therapist uses their hands, knees, legs, and feet to move the client into a series of yoga-like stretches, while also applying deep muscle compression, joint mobilization, and acupressure. 
  The Wat Pho temple in Bangkok, a significant center for traditional Thai massage education, houses inscriptions and statues that document these ancient practices. The temple is considered the birthplace of Thai massage as it is known today. In modern times, Thai massage has become popular worldwide, recognized for its holistic approach to healing, which promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and enhances physical and emotional well-being.

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  The Voyage of The Aegre - From...

  Nicholas Grainger

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  The Voyage of The Aegre is a dramatic true account of how a plan to sail a little fishing boat from the Highlands of Scotland down the coast to England turned into a trans-oceanic odyssey for Nick and Julie Grainger. It was the 1970s and their simple wooden boat was equipped with none of the aids modern yachts enjoy. Navigation was by sextant and compass, food cooked on a Primus, and weather forecasting by guesswork. Diligent preparation before they set sail eventually saved their lives in the violent storms and dangers they encountered, vividly described in this absorbing narrative. Their capsize at night in a fierce storm south of Tahiti and subsequent survival makes a gripping climax to the story. A born storyteller, the author has produced a stirring tale that ranks among classic sea adventures. 
  From a simpler age of sailing when you were led across oceans by the sun and the stars, this book deserves to join the classics. It is simply a top class read - Paul Heiney, Royal Cruising Club. 
  A terrific adventure - John Ridgway, 1966 North Atlantic rower, Round the World sailor, Adventurer, Author. 
  One of the greatest sailing stories I have ever read - John Quirk, Afloat magazine.

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  Accidentally Wes Anderson:...

  Wally Koval, Amanda Koval, Wes...

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  Adventure awaits in this new visual odyssey from Accidentally Wes Anderson, taking readers on stunning trips to every continent and sharing oddly moving human tales along the way. For lovers of travel, design, and exploration, AWA presents a brand-new collection of real-world places that seem plucked from the films of Wes Anderson, and the stories that bring each location to life. You’ll venture to Antarctica through the treacherous Drake Passage, make a stop in lesser-known Jincumbilly, Australia (where platypuses outnumber people), discover the bridge in Wisconsin that went to nowhere, and drop into the most peculiar umbrella shop in London. But adventure means nothing without someone to tell the tale.    You’ll meet the father of American skydiving, who created the officially-sanctioned center of Earth—a California town with a population of two. You’ll visit the “post office at the end of the world”—and meet its mustachioed letter carrier, who runs an anarchist island nation in his free time. And you’ll travel to a town in the Arctic Circle where cats are prohibited, humans may not be buried, and doomsday vaults hold all we need to survive an apocalypse—including the secret recipe for the Oreo cookie.    Authorized by the legendary filmmaker himself, Accidentally Wes Anderson Adventures reminds us that the world is ours to explore.

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